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Comparison Article

W-Beam vs Thrie-Beam vs Box Beam

Three profiles cover most of what gets installed on a road, and the choice between them is usually decided by how much consequence the section carries and how much deflection space there is behind the barrier.

Galvanized W-beam guardrail sections stacked in the Hongda finished product areaGalvanized thrie-beam guardrail sections stacked in the Hongda finished product area

W-Beam

Two corrugations, 4128 x 310 x 83 mm at 2.67 mm as standard, rolled to AASHTO M180. This is the most popular crash barrier on highways and roadways, designed to stop a vehicle leaving the road and striking roadside buildings or other objects. It is the default for general shoulder and median work and it is the most common product in the Americas.

Thrie-Beam

Three corrugations, 4128 x 506 x 83 mm at 3.0 mm. The extra corrugation gives higher impact resistance and anti-collision capacity than W-beam. Testing indicates that after a heavy truck impact of a certain weight the beam still reduces the impact force effectively. It is normally installed on the more dangerous sections: corners and ramps with larger angles, and bridges. It can be installed on both sides of the road or in the median.

Open Box Beam

A solid rectangular construction at 200 x 150 x 149 x 4800 mm and 5.00 mm thickness. It has higher impact resistance than corrugated barrier, redirects a vehicle as quickly as possible, and also satisfies a requirement for appearance, which is why it appears in parks and on bridges as well as on highways. Maintenance cost over its life is lower than corrugated barrier, which makes it cost-effective in the long run.

How to Choose

Start from the road authority specification, which usually names the profile. Where you have a choice: W-beam for general shoulder runs, thrie-beam where the section is more dangerous, box beam where strength, appearance and long-run maintenance cost matter more than the initial price per metre.

What They Share

All three are rolled from Q235B or Q345 steel supplied by Tang Steel, and all three are hot-dip galvanized with a zinc coating of 550 g/m2, around 80 microns.

Products in This Article

Galvanized W-beam guardrail sections stacked in the Hongda finished product area
W-Beam and Thrie-Beam Guardrail

W-Beam Guardrail

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Galvanized thrie-beam guardrail sections stacked in the Hongda finished product area
W-Beam and Thrie-Beam Guardrail

Thrie-Beam Guardrail

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Open box beam barrier sections stacked in the Hongda finished product area
Open Box Beam

Open Box Beam Barrier

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Questions on This Topic

Which profile is the standard choice for a highway shoulder?
W-beam. It is the most popular crash barrier on highways and roadways and the most common product in the Americas.
When is thrie-beam worth the extra cost?
On more dangerous sections such as corners and ramps with larger angles, and on bridges, where its higher impact resistance and anti-collision capacity are needed.
Is box beam stronger than thrie-beam?
Box beam has a solid construction and higher impact resistance than corrugated barrier, and lower maintenance cost over its life. The section is heavier at 5.00 mm thickness.
Do all three use the same steel and coating?
Yes. Q235B or Q345 from Tang Steel, hot-dip galvanized at 550 g/m2, around 80 microns.
Can you supply more than one profile on the same order?
Yes. All three are rolled here, so a job that mixes profiles along its length can be produced and shipped together.

Need This Applied to Your Project

Send us the specification and we will confirm what we can supply.

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