9−1PART 900 INCIDENTAL CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES
901.01 DESCRIPTION . This work consists of providing galvanized coated steel beam guardrail
and end sections of various types and configurations at the locations indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer, all in accordance with these Specifications. 901.01.1 Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal and Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. Work under these items shall consist of furnishing and installing a guardrail end treatment in the form of a non-energy or energy absorbing terminal section approved in accordance with MASH or NCHRP 350 and that passes, at a minimum, Test Level 3 (TL-3) crash test criteria at locations indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. As part of this work, an object marker shall be furnished and affixed to the approach end of the guardrail terminal in accordance with the latest MUTCD. 901.02 MATERIALS. 901.02.1 Metal Beam Rail. Metal Beam Rail shall conform to the applicable requirements of Subsection M.08.03 of these Specifications.
901.02.2 Guardrail Posts. Guardrail Posts shall conform to the applicable requirements of
Subsection M.08.07 of these Specifications.
901.02.3 Guardrail Hardware. Hardware shall conform to the applicable requirements of
Subsection M.08.08 of these Specifications.
901.02.4 Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal and Guardrail End
Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. The non-energy and energy absorbing terminals shall be products listed on the Department’s Approved Materials List, or approved equivalents. Any products not included on the Approved Materials Li st shall have been tested and verified to meet all the criteria for MASH or NCHRP 350, TL-3, and the Contractor shall provide supporting documentation such as an FHWA acceptance letter. The object marker affixed to the approach end of the guardrail terminal shall meet the requirements of the latest MUTCD. Every terminal shall have an object marker. The object marker shall conform to the size and shape of the approach end of the guardrail terminal with alternating black and retroreflective yellow stripes sloping dow nward at an angle of 45 degrees toward the side of the guardrail on which traffic is to pass. High intensity retroreflective sheeting shall be used for the object marker, and it shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO M 268, Type A, Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Flat and Vertical Traffic Control Applications. The object marker shall have a smooth weather-resistant outer surface, a pre-coated pressure sensitive adhesive backing, and adhere to steel. The adhesive shall have no staining effect on the 9−2 retroreflective sheeting and shall be mildew resistant.
901.03 CONSTRUCTION METHODS. 901.03.1 Installation.
a.Posts. Posts shall be set plumb and in alignment with the rail elements.
1.Steel Posts , with the exception of end anchor posts, shall be mechanically driven. Where boulders or other unsuitable materials are encountered in driving, such material shall be removed and replaced with suitable material to permit the setting of the post. Where ledge is encountered, the post shall be installed as indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. In driving steel posts, suitable driving c aps and equipment shall be provided to prevent battering or injury to the posts and to prevent the galvanizing on the posts above the ground line from being scratched, defaced or damaged.
2.Wood Posts shall be set in dug holes or driven, and the area adjacent to the post shall be backfilled and thoroughly compacted. Wood posts used in guardrail anchorage approach sections shall be installed as indicated on the Plans. Any surplus material remaining after the completed installation shall be removed and legally disposed of by the Contractor. The Contractor is cautioned that within the limits of any project, buried electrical cable for illumination or utilities may be present.
b.Rail Elements. Rail elements, including brackets, rub rails, and backup rails where required, shall be erected to produce a smooth, continuous installation, all as indicated on the Plans. Terminal sections, rub rails and rail elements shall be lapped in the direction of traffic. All bolts, except adjustment bolts, shall be drawn tight. Bolts shall be of sufficient length to extend beyond the nuts.
c.End Sections. When excavating for buried anchorages, the trench shall be excavated so that the back face of the "dead-men" anchor is forced against the undisturbed material where this is practical. The wire rope for all anchorages shall be drawn taut and fastened securely. Before the installation of longitudinal guardrail (parallel to traffic) begins, the required end sections shall be in place. An unprotected blunt end facing traffic will not be permitted. By the end of each working day, blunt trailing ends must be buried in either earth or earth embankment such that the tip of the rail is at least 6 inches below ground or mound level. The blunt end may also be protected by an approved fitch barrel pattern when so indicated on the Plans or directed by the Engineer. All costs associated with the protection of blunt trailing ends shall be incurred by the Contractor at no additional costs to the State.
d.Reflectorized Triangular Delineators. Silver reflectors shall be installed on the right side of the road and amber on the left side, all in accordance with MUTCD Guidelines for Pavement 9−3Edgeline Markings. The reflectorized aluminum washer is to be placed in the valley of the beam when mounting beam onto each sixth post.
e.Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Ener gy Absorbing Terminal and Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. The guardrail end treatments in the form of non-energy and energy absorbing terminals shall be installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations. The Contractor shall affix the object marker in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and their provided application instructions, all in a ccordance with this specification. Placement and orientation of the object marker shall be in accordance with the latest MUTCD. The finished object marker shall show careful workmanship, be free of burrs, scratches, or damage and shall have a smooth surface. 901.03.2 Cut Galvanized Elements. Before final erection, all galvanized elements which have been cut or worked so as to destroy the zinc coating and cause the base metal to be exposed shall have the exposed base metal thoroughly cleaned and painted with one coat of zinc dust-zinc oxide paint and a finish coat of aluminum paint.
901.03.3 Submittals. Prior to installation of the “Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing
Terminal” and “Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Abso rbing Terminal”, the Contractor shall furnish three (3) copies of the manufacturer’s installation manual to the Engineer. The Contractor shall submit for approval Shop Drawings for guardrail te rminals not on the Approved Materials List in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 105.02 of these Specifications.
901.04 Method of Measurement.
901.04.1 Steel Beam Guardrail. "Steel Beam Guardrail" of the various types indicated will be
measured by the number of linear feet, end-to-end of continuous sections, actually installed in accordance with the Plans and/or as directed by the Engineer. 901.04.2 Guardrail Posts in Ledge. When required, "Guardrail Posts in Ledge" will be measured by the number of such posts actually installed in accordance with the Plans and/or as directed by the Engineer. 901.04.3 End Sections. "End Sections" of the various types indicated will be measured by the number of such sections actually installed in accordance with the Plans and/or as directed by the Engineer. 901.04.4 Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal and Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. “Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal” and “Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal” will be measured by the number of units installed in accordance with the Plans and/or as directed by the Engineer. 901.05 BASIS OF PAYMENT.
901.05.1 Steel Beam Guardrail. The accepted quantities of "Steel Beam Guardrail" of the various
types and configurations indicated on the Plans will be paid for at the respective contract unit prices per linear foot as listed in the Proposal. The prices so-stated constitute full and complete compensation for all labor, materials and equipment, including hardware, nuts, bolts, washers, 9−4 splice plates, reflectorized triangular delineators, posts driven in earth, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted by the Engineer. 901.05.2 Guardrail Posts in Ledge. The accepted quantities of "Guardrail Posts in Ledge" will be paid for at the contract unit price per each as listed in the Proposal. The price so-stated constitutes full and complete compensation for all labor, materials and equipment, including rock excavation and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete in place and accepted by the Engineer. 901.05.3 End Sections. The accepted quantities of "End Sections" of the various types and configurations indicated on the Plans will be paid for at their respective contract unit prices per each as listed in the Proposal. The prices so-stated constitute full and complete compensation for all labor, materials and equipment, including hardware, nuts, bolts, washers, splice plates, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete in place and accepted by the Engineer. 901.05.4 Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal and Guardrail End Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal. The accepted quantities of “Guardrail End Treatment, Non-Energy Absorbing Terminal” and “Guardrail E nd Treatment, Energy Absorbing Terminal” will be paid for at their respective contract unit prices per each as listed in the Proposal. The prices stated constitute full and complete compensation for all labor, materials, equipment and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted by the Engineer. SECTION 902 STEEL BACKED TIMBER GUARDRAIL
902.01 DESCRIPTION. This work consists of providing steel backed timber guardrail and terminal
sections of various types and configurations at the locations indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer, all in accordance with these Specifications. 902.02 MATERIALS.
902.02.1 Timber Rail, Blocks and Posts. Timber items shall be pressure-treated sawn structural
lumber, either spruce or fir, and shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO M168; Standard Specifications for Wood Products, and the applicable requirements of Subsections M.08.04 and
M.11.01 of these Specifications.
902.02.2 Guardrail Hardware Items. Hardware items shall include all metal fastenings required
for timber connections or for connecting timber to concrete or steel, and shall conform to the requirements of Subsections M.05.04.13 and M.08.08 of these Specifications, unless otherwise specified. Hardware items shall include such items as bolts, washers, nuts, tie rods, turnbuckles and other items as specified. Unless otherwise specified, hardware items shall be galvanized in accordance with Subsection M.05.04.13, Para. e of these Specifications. Steel backing plates, unless otherwise specified, shall be carbon steel conforming to AASHTO M270 (ASTM A709) Grade 36.
Source: Rhode Island Standard Specifications (Bluebook), 2024 Edition. Pages 533–536 of 826.