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IS 12699:1989 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for metal beam crash barriers for highways - w-beam - specification. This standard specifies the material, dimensions, fabrication, and finishing requirements for steel W-Beam type crash barriers used on highways. It covers the main W-beam rail, posts, spacers, and fasteners to ensure quality and interchangeability for roadside safety applications.
Specifies requirements for W-beam type metal crash barriers used on highways.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! This standard is heavily influenced by AASHTO M180. For comprehensive installation and design guidelines, engineers often refer to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) specifications.
! The referenced material standard IS 226 is obsolete. The current equivalent is IS 2062, and Grade E250 is commonly used.
! The galvanizing requirements in Clause 7 are critical for the long-term durability and performance of the barrier. Inadequate coating thickness is a common cause of premature failure.
AASHTO M 180-89AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), USA
HighWithdrawn
Standard Specification for Corrugated Sheet Steel Beams for Highway Guardrail
Prescriptive specification for the material properties and geometry of W-beam guardrail elements.
EN 1317-2:2010CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
LowCurrent
Road restraint systems - Part 2: Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for safety barriers including vehicle parapets
Performance-based standard defining crash test criteria, not prescriptive component dimensions.
AS/NZS 3845.1:2015Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Road safety barrier systems and devices - Part 1: Road safety barrier systems
Covers complete barrier systems, combining performance-based testing with some prescriptive elements.
AASHTO M 180-19AASHTO, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Corrugated Sheet Steel Beams for Highway Guardrail
Specifies modern material and geometry, intended for use in systems crash-tested to MASH criteria.
Key Differences
≠IS 12699:1989 is purely prescriptive, defining material and dimensions. Modern standards like EN 1317 are performance-based, requiring full-scale crash testing to prove a system's containment level and safety performance.
≠IS 12699:1989 specifies steel with a minimum yield strength of ~240-250 MPa (conforming to IS 1079/IS 2062). Modern AASHTO M 180 requires higher strength steel, typically 345 MPa (50 ksi) for standard systems.
≠The Indian standard focuses on the W-beam component. International standards like EN 1317 and AASHTO MASH evaluate the entire crash barrier 'system' (beam, posts, spacers, hardware, terminals), as system performance is critical.
≠IS 12699:1989 does not specify performance criteria like working width or impact severity levels, which are fundamental concepts in EN 1317 for determining a barrier's suitability for a specific location.
Key Similarities
≈The basic corrugated 'W' profile shape, including nominal width and depth, is nearly identical to the profile specified in AASHTO M 180, on which the Indian standard was heavily based.
≈The fundamental material used is hot-dip galvanized corrugated sheet steel, providing a combination of strength, ductility, and long-term corrosion resistance.
≈The intended function is identical: to safely contain and redirect errant vehicles along a roadway, preventing more severe accidents.
≈The specified minimum mass of zinc coating for galvanization (610 g/m²) is consistent with international norms for similar steel thicknesses, such as those found in AASHTO M 180 / ASTM A123.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Nominal Beam Thickness
2.67 mm
2.67 mm (Class A, 12 gauge) or 3.43 mm (Class B, 10 gauge)
AASHTO M 180-19
Minimum Yield Strength
Approx. 240-250 MPa (based on IS 1079/IS 2062)
345 MPa (50 ksi) for Type II & IV steel
AASHTO M 180-19
Minimum Zinc Coating Mass
610 g/m²
Avg. 610 g/m² (for specified thickness ranges)
AASHTO M 232 (referenced by M 180)
Overall Beam Width
312 mm
310 mm
AASHTO M 180-19
Profile Depth
83 mm
83 mm
AASHTO M 180-19
Acceptance Method
Compliance with dimensional and material specifications.
Passing full-scale crash tests (e.g., TB11, TB32) to determine a containment level (e.g., N2).
EN 1317-2:2010
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum W-Beam Sheet Thickness3.00 mm
Minimum Post Sheet Thickness5.00 mm
Minimum Mass of Zinc Coating550 g/m²
Minimum Yield Strength (Grade A)240 MPa
Overall W-Beam Length4318 mm
Effective W-Beam Length3810 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Mechanical Properties of Steel Sheet/Strips for W-Beam/Post