901Steel Beam Guardrail

Part 900

INCIDENTAL CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES — STEEL BEAM GUARDRAIL

901.01DESCRIPTION

Use steel beam guardrail, steel beam guardrail long span, cable guardrail, and guardrail end treatment sections that comply with the currently adopted edition of the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Use steel thrie beam guardrail and steel beam guardrail thrie beam transition panels that comply with the National Cooperation Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 350 Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. Ensure that all traffic control devices (e.g., object markers, reflectors) comply with the currently adopted edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Use trimming and grading and millings beneath all guardrail types installed in earth. Ensure that all guardrail details conform to the RIDOT Standard Details. Steel Beam Guardrail. Steel beam guardrail includes both W -beam and thrie beam guardrail. Furnish and install galvanized coated steel beam guardrail at the required locations. Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment. Furnish and install a steel beam guardrail approach end treatment, at the required locations, that is an energy absorbing terminal section. Furnish an object marker and affix to the approach end of the guardrail terminal. Guardrail End Treatment Platform. Construct the Guardrail End Treatment Platform to correspond to the grading around the end treatment. Grade the guardrail platform area to the required lines and slopes and grade the soil along the length of the guardrail in conformance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Section. Furnish and install the Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Section for all guardrail termini that are outside of the clear zone for approaching traffic from the opposite direction. Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation. Furnish and install Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation at the required locations that require additional steel post depth to provide additional lateral support. Steel Beam Guardrail Long Span. Furnish and install a Steel Beam Guardrail Long Span at the required locations.

Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025

900-2SECTION 901 — STEEL BEAM GUARDRAIL

Steel Thrie Beam Guardrail Long Span. Furnish and install a Steel Thrie Beam Guardrail Long Span at the required locations. Steel Beam Guardrail Thrie Beam Transition Panel. Furnish and install a Steel Beam Guardrail Thrie Beam Transition Panel at the required locations.

901.02MATERIALS

Steel Components for Guardrail Hardware. Use steel components for guardrail hardware that conform to Subsections M08.03 and M08.08. Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. For energy absorbing terminals, use products listed on the Department’s Approved Materials List or approved equivalents. Ensure that any products not on the Approved Materials List have been tested and verified to meet all applicable criteria for MASH . If the product is not on the AML, provide supporting documentation such as an FHWA acceptance letter or crash testing results. Ensure that t he object marker affixed to the approach end of the guardrail terminal meets the requirements of the latest MUTCD and that every terminal has an object marker. Ensure that the object marker conforms to the size and shape of the approach end of the guardrail terminal with alternating black and retroreflective yellow stripes sloping downward at an angle of 45 degrees toward the side of the guardrail on which traffic is to pass. Use high intensity retroreflective sheeting for the object marker, and ensure that the sheeting conforms to AASHTO M 268, Type A, Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Flat and Vertical Traffic Control Applications. Ensure that the object marker has a smooth weather-resistant outer surface, a pre- coated pressure sensitive adhesive backing, and adhere to steel. Ensure that t he adhesive has no staining effect on the retroflective sheeting and is mildew resistant.

901.03CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Installation.

● Steel Posts. Mechanically drive steel posts , with the exception of end anchor posts. Where boulders or other unsuitable materials are encountered in driving, remove and replace with suitable material to permit the setting of the post. In driving steel posts, provide suitable driving caps and equipment to prevent battering or damage to the posts and to prevent the galvanizing on the posts above the ground line from being scratched, defaced, or damaged. ● Wood Posts. Set wood posts in dug holes or drive into the ground, and backfill and compact the dug posts and the area adjacent to the post.

Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025

Remove and properly dispose of any surplus material remaining after the completed installation. ● Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation. Ensure that the installation conforms to the currently adopted AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.

to produce a smooth, continuous installation. Draw tight all bolts, except adjustment bolts.

anchorages and fasten securely. Before the installation of the longitudinal guardrail (parallel to traffic) begins, ensure that the required end sections are in place. Do not use an unprotected blunt end facing traffic. By the end of each working day, bury blunt trailing ends that are within the clear zone of the opposing traffic flow (see Subsection 106.05(a) in either earth or earth embankment such that the tip of the rail is at least 6 in. below ground or mound level. The blunt end may also be protected by an approved temporary barrier or temporary crash cushion.

and amber on the left side. Place the reflectorized aluminum washer in the valley of the beam when mounting the beam onto each sixth post. See SECTION T18.

affix the object marker according to the manufacturer’s written instructions. Ensure that the object marker is free of burrs, scratches, or damage and has a smooth surface.

the required soil regrading according to the manufacturer’s written instructions for the type of guardrail end treatment.

Cut Galvanized Elements. Before final erection for all galvanized elements that have been cut or worked to destroy the zinc coating and cause the base metal to be exposed , clean and paint the exposed base metal with one coat of zinc dust-zinc oxide paint and a finish coat of aluminum paint that is compatible with the zinc rich paint. Submittals. Before the installation of any steel beam guardrail system components, furnish three copies of the manufacturer’s installation manual to the Engineer. S ubmit for approval the Shop Drawings for steel beam guardrail and guardrail terminals not on the Approved Materials List according to Subsection 105.02.

Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025

900-4SECTION 901 — STEEL BEAM GUARDRAIL

Repair and/or Replace Guardrail. Permanent Installations. For permanent guardrail within the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) that is damaged by traffic after installation but before Final Acceptance of the Contract, repair or replace the damaged elements based on Subsection 109.04(d). If the damaged guardrail is outside the LOD, the guardrail will be repaired or replaced via RIDOT’s Statewide Guardrail Repair Contract. Repair or replace existing guardrail that is damaged by traffic, and/or perform maintenance of the system if required as determined by the Engineer. This work includes 1) repairing components of an existing guardrail system, or 2) replacing the existing guardrail with new guardrail and removal of the existing components and/or system. Remove and dispose of all damaged material and debris and all associated snow removal up to a depth of 13 in. as measured by the Engineer. Complete repairs required as a result of manufacturing defects, installation defects, or Contractor operations at no additional cost to the Department. When required, furnish replacement parts and repair the unit as necessary after notification from the Engineer. Comply with the following timeframes: • 48 hours for cable guardrail repairs • 72 hours for guardrail end treatments • 10 days for all other guardrail repairs Notify the Engineer if the work cannot be completed within the required timeframe. Before initiating repairs, ensure that the area is protected and that the work continues until all repairs are complete. Ensure that the repaired system complies with the manufacturer’s specifications for a new system. Temporary Installations. Comply with Subsections 104.08 and 107.08 and SECTION 937 regarding the Contractor’s responsibilities for repairing or replacing temporary guardrail installations . Where applicable, comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations for guardrail repair or replacement. Repair or replace temporary guardrail at no additional cost to the Department. Statewide Guardrail Repair Contract. Repairs or replacements of damaged guardrail adjacent to active construction Projects (i.e. , outside of the LOD) will be made through RIDOT’s Statewide Guardrail Repair Contract. Design-Build Contracts. On Design Build Contracts where guardrail (permanent or temporary) is shown on the Base Technical Conceptual (BTC) plans for repairs, replacement, or as temporary traffic control, repair or replace the damaged guardrail based on Subsection 109.04(d).

Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025

On Design Build Contracts where guardrail is not shown on the BTC plans (i.e., the guardrail installation had been designed by the DB Team) for either temporary or permanent conditions , repair or replace the damaged guardrail at no additional cost to the Department.

901.04METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

Steel Beam Guardrail. Steel Beam Guardrail will be measured by the number of linear feet, end -to-end of continuous sections installed. This measurement does not include t he guardrail end sections (either Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment or Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Sections). This measurement includes all installations of Steel Beam Guardrail Long Span, Steel Thrie Beam Guardrail Long Span, and/or Steel Beam Guardrail Thrie Beam Transition Panel. Guardrail end sections will be considered the first 50 linear feet of the guardrail run at either end for the purpose of measuring the linear feet of the Steel Beam Guardrail for payment. Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment. Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment will be measured by the number of units installed. Guardrail End Treatment Platform. Guardrail End Treatment Platform will be measured by the number of end treatment units installed. Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Sections. Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Sections of the various types will be measured by the number of sections installed. Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation. Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation will be measured by the number of posts installed. Repair and/or Replace Guardrail. Repair or replacement is performed under Subsection 901.03.4 will be measured under Subsection 901.04 for Contracts with guardrail bid items.

901.05BASIS OF PAYMENT

The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities as follows.

Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025

900-6SECTION 901 — STEEL BEAM GUARDRAIL

Pay Item Pay Unit Steel Beam Guardrail LF Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment EA Guardrail End Treatment Platform EA Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Sections EA Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation EA Steel Beam Guardrail. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials , and equipment, including hardware, nuts, bolts, washers, splice plates, reflectorized triangular delineators, posts driven in earth, trimming and fine grading, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. The price also includes the installation of any Steel Beam Guardrail Long Span, Steel Thrie Beam Guardrail Long Span, and/or Steel Beam Guardrail Thrie Beam Transition Panel. Millings are paid for separately under SECTION 213. Steel Beam Guardrail Approach End Treatment. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, trimming and fine grading, millings, equipment and incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Guardrail End Treatment Platform. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, equipment and incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Steel Beam Guardrail Anchorage Trailing End Sections. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment, including hardware, nuts, bolts, washers, splice plates, trimming and fine grading, millings, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Steel Beam Guardrail Encased Post for Shallow Installation. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials , and equipment, including rock excavation and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Repair and/or Replace Guardrail. Work performed under Subsection 901.03.4, for which there is no item of work in the Contract including snow removal in excess of 13 in., will be paid under Subsection 104.05.