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MGS Bolted to Intake Top?

Question
State IA
Description Text
Where an intake/catch basin cannot be avoided within a run of guardrail, would it be feasible to bolt a steel post to the intake top, similar to the method of bolting to a low-fill box culvert?  If so, should half-post spacing be utilized?


Road Closure Gates
Thrie Beam Guardrails



Date May 1, 2012
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MwRSF has previously answered a similar question were a water drainage structure was obstructing the placement of a post.  For w-beam systems (MGS) not in a transition regions, it was recommended to simply omit a single post at the obstruction location.  The system would act as a 12.5 ft long span system - recall, MGS long-span was crash tested to 25 ft span without the need for nesting the rail. 

If a drainage structure is obstructing more than one post installation, then bolting the posts to the top of the intake would be a better solution.


Date May 3, 2012
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When you say "simply omit a post," I assume you mean omit a post, but install the CRT posts upstream and downstream of omitted post, correct?  Or is simply omitting a post where there is not a culvert opening/dropoff allowable?

If this particular run of guardrail was installed flush with a curb, would that change the recommendation at all?

And finally, should half-post spacing be utilized when bolting to the top of an intake - especially where two or more consecutive posts cannot be installed?

NOTE: feel free to call me if you'd like to discuss this.


Date May 3, 2012
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Yes, we recommend using CRT posts on the upstream and downstream ends of the region where posts will be omitted. The MGS Long Span system was designed with 3 CRT posts on both the US and DS ends and can be used to span lengths up to 25 ft (the equivalent of 3 missing posts).  Although the required number of CRT posts may go down when omitting only 1 or 2 posts, until we have testing to illustrate the crashworthyness of the modified system, MwRSF will continue to recommend using 3 CRTs on each side to prevent pocketing and snag.

I do not anticipate a major issue with the guardrail being installed flush with a curb.  The MGS was successfully tested with a 6" offset from a curb.  Installing the system flush with the curb should ensure the vehicle and guardrail interlock, even if the system is missing a post or two.

The MGS long span system can be installed with span lengths of up to 25 ft, same as 3 omitted posts.  If the drainage structure you are installing guardrail over requires more than 3 omitted posts, the 1/2 post spacing guardrail system designed for culverts would be a possible solution.  However, you would need to be carefull in attaching the posts to ensure (1) the drainage structure can handle the post-anchor loads, and (2) the posts are installed with the correct length - recall these posts extended 9" below groundline before attaching to the top of the culvert slab.


Date May 8, 2012
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