6TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Use of Temporary Steel Barriers in Construction Zones

By Don PydeProduct Manager

Trinity Highway Products

What is Temporary Steel Barrier?

Typically:• Rugged• Lightweight (When compared to

concrete or water-filled barrier)• Galvanized Steel• Easy to move• Flexible applications

Examples

• Vulcan• Zoneguard• ArmorGuard• BarrierGuard 800

Physical Characteristics

• Galvanized Steel• Typically 32” Tall• Multiple Lengths – 13.5’ to 50’• Weight typically 60-70 lbs./foot• Various Connections (Pins, Bolts, Interlocking)• Very Durable• 15-20 Year Useful Life

Standards

• NCHRP 350 – TL-3 (62mph)– TL-4 (large truck)

• MASH– TL-3 (62mph)– TL-4 (large truck)

Why use Temporary Steel Barrier?

• Safety– Steel Barrier offers positive protection

• Reduce Congestion– Steel Barrier allows for dynamic lane closures – Steel Barrier allows for rapid repositioning

• Lower transport costs– 600-750 linear feet/truckload vs 120 linear feet of concrete barrier

• Speed– Deployment speeds of up 1000’/hour

• Ease of movement in the workzone• Durability

– 15-20 year useful life vs. 5-10 with concrete

Unique Features

• Wheeled Barrier– Allows for positioning

and movement by hand– Allows for towing

laterally down the work zone.

Unique Features

• Gates - Easily create openings in medians or runs of temporary barrier

Unique Features

• Movable Barrier

Applications

• Highway and road construction zones– Fixed– Changing/Moving– Short Term or Off-Peak Traffic

• Bridge Repair– Decks– Piers

• Sign – Roadside structure repair• Median or Barrier Gate Openings• Emergency Crossovers

Typical Deployments

Traffic

Work Zone

Typical Deployments

Traffic

Traffic

Special Deployments - Movable

Direction of Traffic

Direction of Traffic

Work Zone

Considerations

• Deflection– Steel barrier has less mass than concrete–Vendors have different anchoring

requirements for various workzone configurations–Deflections range from 1” to 13’.

Considerations

• End Treatments– End treatments are required where a blunt-

end hazard exists

Steel Barrier Summary

• Provides Safety for Workers• Mitigates congestion• Lightweight• Easy to move to and within the workzone• Can put 6 times as much on a truckload

compared to concrete• Saves on costs!!

Thank YouDon PydeTrinity Highwaydon.pyde@trin.net312-705-8444