4.3.6 Panel Barrier
These are pre-fabricated concrete, steel or other rigid panel elements connected together to
form a continuous barrier. They are gravity structures, depending on their weight for stability.
They are very resistant to impact and vandalism but require heavy lifting equipment,
transportation and a lot of storage area. They transmit high bearing pressures onto the bedding
surface and may not be suitable for direct erection on soft soils. Seepage under the barriers
are expected to be significant due to their rigidity. They are generally not suitable for
alignments that need to contain corners.
Advantages:
! Some systems can be increased in height during service by stacking
! High resistance to impact and vandalism
! Durable and re-usable
Disadvantages:
! Requirement for heavy lorries and lifting equipment
! Likelihood of high seepage under barrier
! Failure cannot be easily rectified in an event
! Systems cannot easily accommodate corners
! High bearing pressures on bedding surface.
Figure 4.6 shows a typical panel barrier.