With so much going into a project, bridge railing may appear to be an afterthought for bridge construction. But like choosing the right deck material, bridge railing proves to be vital for every bridge design.
DACHU are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
At U.S. Bridge, we have several options for bridge railing to best fit each of our construction projects.
A bridge&#;s railing depends on various factors such as location, material, and purpose. The railing adds safety for pedestrians, aesthetics, and a custom touch to bridge construction.
So how do you decide which railing is ideal for your bridge? We&#;ve compiled a small guide of the different types of bridge railings we provide so that you can make the best decision for your construction project.
The most common steel bridge railing is the tubular rail system. This railing can be built alone or integrated into a concrete curb or low barrier wall, thus providing flexibility to various building projects. The combination of the railing system&#;s beams and posts provide the strength necessary to make this a sturdy barrier.
Ornamental or architectural steel railings are commonly used for pedestrian and low-vehicular traffic. These railings tend to be thinner and more decorative than other railings and provide pedestrian protection on bridges.
For smaller bridges or roads with less traffic consider the W-Beam railing. This railing system attaches to steel posts or truss girders and is typically 27 inches from the top of the bridge to the pavement. The W-Beam is a simple steel railing system but it can be doubled to maximize its strength. Similar to the W-Beam, the Thrie Beam is another steel railing but works best in areas with heavier traffic flow.
Many pedestrian and steel bridge railings can receive extra finishes such as paint coatings or galvanization. Due to its popularity, the specifications required for building steel railing systems varies for each state.
As a local resource, concrete is one of the most common materials to choose for bridge construction. A concrete railing attaches to the bridge&#;s deck slab and creates a powerful vehicular barrier. These sturdy railings are ideal for high traffic roadways or areas where run-off the road accidents are frequent. Concrete railings are a great idea for urban locations or for bridges that receive heavy truckloads.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of bridge guardrails. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Keep in mind, this railing has a high initial cost and its thick appearance can impede an open road view. However, there are ways to help open visibility while still keeping the concrete railing&#;s thick strength; such as combining wall barriers with a tubular railing system.
A bridge&#;s railing is dependent on factors such as the construction&#;s budget, bridge deck material, and mandated state specifications.
Still not sure which railing best fits your project? Check our website for more details in our railings. Or use our chatbox below and we&#;ll be in touch soon.
Your question has two separate sets of answers, one prototype and one model:
Prototype - Did the railroad you are modeling use guard rails on bridges, or on that particular design of bridge? Some put guard rails on everything. Others only put guard rails on certain kinds of bridges. Some didn't use them at all. You will have to research your specific prototype to determine its practices.
Also, there were several different ways of dealing with the bent-in guard rail ends. Some railroads bolted them to a bull-nose casting, kind of like the center of a frog casting without the wing rails. Others just brought them close together without connecting them. I remember once seeing the ends of the guardrails bent downward and buried in the ballast, but I don't remember where or which railroad.
Finally, bridge guard rails are not like switch guard rails. They do not leave a narrow flangeway. Rather, they are spaced about 8" inside the running rails; room enough for an entire wheel to settle down with a rail on each side. The tapered entry, which should be somewhat away from the ends of the bridge structure, is meant to catch the wheels of cars which are derailed but still coupled and force them to run parallel to the rails they should be riding on.
Model - if installed with prototypical spacing, the guard rails will be as dead as lack of electrical connection can make them. The only time a metal wheel will touch both the running rail and a guard rail is if there is a derailment - in which case, the electrical bridge between them will be the least of your problems.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, )
The company is the world’s best highway guardrail supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.