Background of Product Development

Japanese rivers have a steep gradient and are thus susceptible to sediment disaster following heavy rains, which often take a toll on people’s lives and assets. One such sediment disaster is debris flow that flushes boulders down the river. It was to prevent such disasters that debris barriers were constructed throughout Japan as a part of erosion control projects.

Concern arose, however, over the reduced performance of barriers caused by concrete structures having worn out after being subjected to repeated erosion from sediment flow.

Shibata’s answer to the problem was the development of Rubber Steel, a composite material made by integrating rubber and steel plates to attach to concrete surfaces. Focusing our activities on the impact of debris flow, the cause of concrete structures wearing out, we developed the protective layer.

• Superior in abrasion resistance
• Dispersal and mitigation of impact energy
• Corrosion-resistant structure

Debris flow

Worn-out debris barrier

Product Features

• Rubber attached to the concrete surface of a debris barrier prevents wear and damage to the bank crown area with its excellent abrasion and impact resistance in comparison to concrete.
• Steel plates completely covered and integrated with rubber.
• Steel plates completely embedded in rubber cohesively by cure adhesion, achieving a corrosion-resistant structure that shuts out
  air, water, and other corrosive elements.
• Rubber Steel is fixed by implanting anchorages into concrete and screwing tight fixing-bolts.
• The heads of the fixing bolts are also covered with rubber.
• Rubber Steel extends the service life of the structure and reduces the frequency of repair and maintenance, and thereby cuts running cost.

Illustrated cross-section of Rubber Steel

Past Experience