RAMSHIELD® TRANSITION FAQs

Wherever it is necessary to connect barrier systems of different stiffness (e.g. connecting guardrail to concrete), the interface must be designed to ensure that the overall system will perform safely when impacted by a design vehicle.

The interface should provide a smooth, snag-free transition between different types of barriers where they meet, such as at bridge parapets. Inappropriate, incorrectly installed or missing interfaces present a hazard to vehicles impacting the barriers at or near the interface point (i.e. the end of the concrete or steel bridge barrier).

The RAMSHIELD® Transition gradually increases system stiffness by using thrie-beam rail and reducing post spacing prior to connecting to the rigid barrier or bridge abutment.

Four (4) full-scale crash tests in accordance with MASH Test level 3 have been performed. Evaluation of the RAMSHIELD® Transition has been undertaken when connected to a concrete abutment and a rigid steel post abutment (i.e. CrocGuard®).

The RAMSHIELD® Transition was crash tested using the same anchor block design as the Austroads SBTA 21-005 public domain transition. Unlike the Austroads transition which secures to the concrete abutment using cast-in ferrules, the RAMSHIELD® Transition is secured using mechanical anchors.

Other advantages of the RAMSHIELD® Transition when compared to the Austroads transition include:

• The 1m thrie-beam rail height of the RAMSHIELD® Transition improves vehicle stability during containment and redirection
• Shorter installation length
• Fewer posts
• No nesting of thrie-beam rails
• No blocking pieces

The RAMSHIELD® Transition uses the same C-posts as used in the assembly of RAMSHIELD® High Containment guardrail (HC).