NEW ERA IN IRRIGATION - USE OF ADVANCED MATERIALS (SMC-FRP) FOR K.T. WEIR NEEDLE / SHUTTERS
In the recent developments in irrigation, the concept of building low height dam all along the river was introduced on the downstream of bigger dam or along the river to store water after rainy season is over so can be used for agriculture purpose as well for drinking.
The small ht/stop dam with low cost are constructed all along the river and near/close point of village.
One river may consist of 300-400 such small height dam /stop dam. Such small height dam /stop dam may have small numbers of openings depending upon the width of river/depth of river.
There are small openings of 2.00 mtr wide and number of such openings may vary depending on the need, river width and risk of outplankings and design of check dam and water required for full irrigation for nearby land/farms for cultivation and drinking.
Height of the dam is determined on storage capacity for required irrigation and for total lean period,
Height is varying from 1.5 mtrs to 4.50 mtrs.
These barriers are fixed to store the water, to rear side during post monsoon session and during the scarcity of water. The water is released from the main dam during such period. Or stored when rains are diminishing.
To facilitate the water storage. Depending on water level required Appropriate size gates/barriers(barge) are fixed into the slot / groove.
In olden days these barge /needles/ gates /barriers are made from wooden planks / M.S.
In recent years the Glass Reinforced Plastics is catching the most of the areas where it has replaced MS/Wood/ Aluminum material due to the below advantages of SMC-FRP:-
• Durable.
• Cost effective
• Longer life.
• Prevention from loss & theft
• Chemically resistance
• Light weight.
• Easy to operate and store.
What is SMC – FRP ?
• SMC – FRP is fiber reinforced plastics. Manufactured by sheet moulding compound under 1500 tonnes press.
• Light weight.
• Stronger in impact strength.
• Chemically resistance.
• Can be moulded in any shape and colour.
Advantages of SMC-FRP K.T.Weir Needle / Shutters:
• Being light wt, removing and fixing is easy .
• As removing and fixing is easy number of labor required at site will be 2-3 nos.
• Saving in labour rate.
• As rubber sealing provided on SMC-FRP needle on down stream side, due to compression of rubber under water pressure and wedging the water tightness is insured.
• At joint a simple water base sealant is applied which make joints leak proof.
• Simple anchoring is required at rear side to hold the needle tight in the groove.( by way of wooden peg)
• Proper rubber gasket between interface of needle and groove insures proper fitment and desired water tightness.
We have already successfully installed SMC-FRP K.T. weirs Needles in Maharashtra & SMC-FRP Shutters in Attukal, Iranimuttam, Trivandrum, Kerala and Aripalam, Trichur, Kerala. In a short period these technology will implement in all other States also.
