Guardrail Barriers
Guardrail Barriers are steel, longitudinal barrier systems designed to contain and redirect errant vehicles away from roadside hazards. Guardrail barriers feature steel posts that are driven directly into the ground supporting w-beam or thrie-beam guardrail. The selection of a w-beam or thrie-beam system considers the design vehicle and available space between the guardrail barrier and the roadside hazard.
During impact, the guardrail beams are designed to deflect and absorb crash energy while maintaining vehicle stability and occupant safety. The supporting posts are designed to collapse when impacted by the errant vehicle.
RamShield W-Beam has significantly advanced the containment level of guardrail by introducing patented technology into the behaviour of the post during impact.
RamShield Median W-Beam is a back-to-back guardrail system providing safe vehicle containment and redirection when impacted from either side of the system.
RamShield Low Deflection combines the sectional strength of C-posts with w-beam guardrail to reduce the clearance required between the barrier and roadside hazard.
The higher mounting position of the thrie-beam guardrail improves the system’s ability to contain and redirect large vehicles.
An engineered solution for attachment to RamShield High Containment for installations on the hinge point of weak batters.
RocketBloc is a steel blocking piece designed for retrofitting to Australian Public Domain G4 W-Beam elevating compliance to MASH.
Sentry W-Beam features innovative technology providing controlled release of the w-beam guardrail from the support posts during a vehicle collision.
Sentry Thrie-Beam has advanced the containment level of thrie-beam guardrail by introducing innovative technology into the thrie-beam guardrail release mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What site precautions should I take before installing a guardrail barrier?
A guardrail barrier features steel rails mounted on posts. Prior to the installation of posts an investigation for potential underground hazards is recommended. The establishment of traffic control should provide safe travel for passing vehicles or pedestrians and appropriately protect workers near the roadside.
What is the typical spacing between guardrail posts?
In Australia, the standard post spacing for most guardrail barriers is 2 m centres.
How are guardrail posts installed?
Guardrail posts are installed by driving them directly into the ground using a ramming machine. There is no concrete required.
What is the difference between w-beam and thrie-beam?
W-beam guardrail features two corrugations forming a W shape. The width of w-beam is approximately 320 mm. Thrie-beam guardrail features three corrugations forming a deeper triple-wave section. The width of thrie-beam is approximately 510 mm.
Are spacer blocks required on guardrail barriers?
Many types of guardrail barriers featured an offset or spacer block positioned between the guardrail beam and the supporting post. The main purpose of a spacer block is to prevent wheel snag on the posts and maintain rail height as the post yields during a vehicle impact. Most Australian proprietary guardrail barriers do not require a spacer block reducing the width of the system. However, an offset between the guardrail beam and supporting post may be desirable for some sites. RamShield Low Deflection may be installed with or without blocking pieces.
What is the difference between a public domain guardrail barrier and proprietary guardrail barrier?
A public domain system is a road safety barrier that is typically developed and owned by government agencies. A proprietary guardrail system is owned and protected by a company with usage rights controlled by the owner though licences. Australian public domain guardrail systems have been discontinued and replaced with proprietary systems following the implementation of MASH compliance.
What is a guardrail end terminal?
A guardrail end terminal is the starting or ending section of a guardrail barrier system, designed to safely anchor, absorb, or redirect impacting vehicles that strike the end of the crash barrier system.
Are end terminals required when installing a guardrail barrier?
Yes. Guardrail end terminals are designed to anchor the barrier system. Most guardrail end terminals also dissipate crash energy and reduce the severity of impacts occurring at the end of the guardrail barrier system.
What are guardrail splice bolts?
Splice bolts are used to join guardrail beams together. They feature a mushroom shaped head to reduce the potential for snagging an impacting vehicle.
How many splice bolts are required when installing a guardrail barrier?
The splicing of w-beam guardrails requires eight (8) splice bolts per join. The splicing of thrie-beam guardrails requires twelve (12) splice bolts per join.
