What are the Pennsylvania Concrete Median Barrier F-Shape Specifications?

Tips & Advice

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation outlines specifications regarding the proper dimensions for cast-in-place concrete F-shape barriers, including general notes, plan view details, elevation details, section view details and more.

Pennsylvania Concrete Median Barrier F-Shape General Notes

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s general instructions are as follows:

  1. Provide concrete median barriers that meet the requirements of Publication 408, Section 623.

a. Use a minimum concrete Class AA, except use Class AAA concrete for precast barriers.

  1. Provide precast concrete barriers supplied by a manufacturer as listed in Bulletin 15. For deviations or modifications of the standards, submit shop drawings for review and approval.

  2. For cast-in-place or slip-form construction, use pre-molded joint materials at all construction joints.

  3. Concrete median barrier construction on existing pavement requires special details to be shown on the construction drawings.

  4. For permanent and temporary barrier installations, use side-mount or top-mount delineators as determined on a project by project basis. Locate side-mount delineators 26” from the pavement to the center of the delineator. Install top-mount delineators as follows:

a. Center barrier-mount delineators should be mounted along the longitudinal centerline of the median barriers.

b. Locate reflector units as shown on Traffic Standard TC-7604.

  1. For permanent installations, place delineators at a maximum longitudinal spacing of 80’-0” for tangent sections and 40’-0” for curved sections with a horizontal radius less than 1,000’.

  2. Compact No. 2A or No. OGS material in accordance with publication 408, Section 350. A layer 1” thick of non-shrink mortar may be used on top of the subbase material for leveling purposes. A rigid base may be used instead of a subbase.

  3. Provide precast concrete median barriers for use in both temporary and permanent installations. For temporary installations, embedment is not required.

  4. Round or chamfer all edges with a radius of 1”, except as shown.

  5. All dimensions are in millimeters unless otherwise noted.

  6. Fabricate reinforcement bars according to PENNDOT Bridge Construction Standard BC-736M.

  7. To limit lateral displacement of portable barriers when used in work zones, provide a rough finish at the bottom surface. Before the concrete has initially set, finish the bottom surface with a stiff wire broom or special template in a longitudinal direction to produce scores that are approximately 1/8” in depth.

Pennsylvania Concrete Median Barrier F-Shape Specifications

Pennsylvania barriers should conform to the following specifications according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation:

Typical cast-in-place concrete median F-shape barriers measure 20’-0” long and are mounted with a typical reflector unit at the top (see note 5), as well as a typical barrier-mount delineator on the side (see note 5). Barriers include an embedded #13 (#4) Bar (typ.) that is 19’-6” long and epoxy coated. It should be noted that bars must be cut at every joint if made continuous for slip form construction. The bars run the full length of the barrier.

From a side view, barriers measure 24” wide on the bottom and 9-1/2” wide at theWhat are the Pennsylvania Concrete Median Barrier F-Shape Specifications? top. The barrier embedment into the pavement is 3”. Barriers measure 32” tall with a 10” R. The lower slope is 2-7/8” wide and the upper slope is 2-3/8” wide.

There are four #13 (#4) bars in total. The distance between the bottom #13 (#4) bars and the middle bar is 7”, and the distance between the middle bar and the upper bar is 9”. The distance between the upper bar and the top of the barrier is 4”.

Barriers include a #13 (#4) stirrup; two of these stirrups are required per barrier, one at each end of the barrier.
Each barrier includes two drainage and/or lifting slots.

This blog post is an interpretation of specifications by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Please consult with PennDOT's most recent requirements for definitive information.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading is a one-stop-shop for all of your temporary precast barrier wall needs! Our new and used barrier inventory ranges from low profile barrier, to single slope barrier, to jersey barrier, and every type in between. Furthermore, our construction equipment inventory ranges from used foundation equipment, to used concrete formwork, to winches, and everything in between.

All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.

Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.