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IS 12700:1989 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for metal beam crash barriers for highways - thrie-beam - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for Thrie-beam type metal crash barriers used on highways. It covers the materials, dimensions, fabrication, galvanization process, and acceptance testing criteria to ensure the barriers' quality and performance in redirecting vehicles upon impact.
Specifies requirements for Thrie-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 This standard has been officially withdrawn and superseded by IS 12700 (Part 1):2017 and IS 12700 (Part 2):2017. The new standards should be used for all current and future projects.
! The quality of galvanization is critical for the service life of the barrier. On-site checks for coating thickness and uniformity are highly recommended.
! Thrie-beam barriers provide a larger contact face and higher stiffness than W-beams, making them suitable for locations with a higher risk of heavy vehicle impact, such as on bridges or high embankments.
AASHTO M 180-23American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Corrugated Sheet Steel Beams for Highway Guardrail
Specifies material, dimensional, and fabrication requirements for both W-beam and Thrie-beam guardrails.
EN 1317-2:2010European Committee for Standardization, Europe
MediumCurrent
Road restraint systems - Part 2: Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for safety barriers including vehicle parapets
Defines performance-based crash test criteria for barriers, rather than prescriptive design, which is the modern approach.
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
Specifies requirements for road safety barrier systems based on performance in standardized crash tests (similar to EN 1317).
IS 16021:2012 (reaffirmed 2017)Bureau of Indian Standards, India
HighCurrent
Road Restraint Systems - Specification
This is the Indian standard that superseded IS 12700, adopting a modern performance-based approach aligned with international practice.
Key Differences
≠IS 12700:1989 is a prescriptive standard, detailing exact dimensions and material properties. Modern equivalents like EN 1317 and AS/NZS 3845 are performance-based, requiring systems to pass full-scale crash tests to achieve a certain containment level (e.g., H1, N2) regardless of their specific design.
≠The steel grade specified in IS 12700 (e.g., referencing IS 1079) has a lower minimum yield strength (approx. 240 MPa) compared to the commonly used Grade 50 in AASHTO M 180 (345 MPa).
≠IS 12700:1989 specifies a minimum zinc coating mass of 550 g/m² (total). While AASHTO M 180 has a class that matches this, its more durable Class A coating requires 1100 g/m² (total), offering double the corrosion protection.
≠IS 12700:1989 lacks the rigorous, standardized full-scale crash testing criteria (e.g., vehicle type, impact angle, speed) that are fundamental to modern standards like EN 1317 and systems tested to AASHTO MASH (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware).
Key Similarities
≈The basic corrugated 'Thrie-beam' profile geometry, including overall width and depth, is fundamentally the same as the profile defined in AASHTO M 180, from which it was derived.
≈All standards specify hot-dip galvanization as the primary means of corrosion protection for the steel components.
≈The fundamental material is hot-rolled structural steel, intended to deform under impact and absorb energy.
≈The intended function is identical: to act as a longitudinal roadside or median barrier to contain and redirect errant vehicles, improving highway safety.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Status of Standard
Withdrawn — Superseded by IS 16021:2012
Current
AASHTO M 180-23
Beam Profile Width (Nominal)
506 mm
508 mm (20 in)
AASHTO M 180
Base Steel Thickness (Nominal)
3.0 mm
3.43 mm (10 gauge) or 2.67 mm (12 gauge)
AASHTO M 180
Minimum Yield Strength
~240 MPa (for IS 1079 Gr.D)
345 MPa (50 ksi) for Grade 50
AASHTO M 180
Minimum Tensile Strength
410 MPa (for IS 1079 Gr.D)
450 MPa (65 ksi) for Grade 50
AASHTO M 180
Zinc Coating Mass (Total, both sides)
550 g/m² (minimum)
550 g/m² (Class B) or 1100 g/m² (Class A)
AASHTO M 180
Pitch of Corrugations
190.5 mm
190.5 mm (7.5 in)
AASHTO M 180
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum zinc coating mass550 g/m²
Nominal beam element thickness3.00 mm
Overall depth of beam506 mm
Nominal length of beam4318 mm
Minimum tensile strength of steel410 MPa
Minimum yield strength of steel235 MPa
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Chemical Composition of Steel Sheets/Strips for Thrie-Beam
Table 2 - Mechanical Properties of Steel Sheets/Strips for Thrie-Beam