A W-beam is a corrugated steel rail on posts. It is supposed to contain and redirect, not spear or launch. Height, embedment, splice torque and terminals decide whether the system works at 80–100 km/h.
Where barriers are required
High fills, water bodies, bridge approaches, medians, tight curves and ghat edges — the list in IRC:SP:73 and MoRTH notes. Missing a terminal is worse than missing a pretty rail.
Steel
Galvanising to IS:2629 is the corrosion spec we refuse to “save” on. Coastal and monsoon sites eat bare steel. After impact, replace the damaged length; a kinked rail is not a barrier anymore.
PS Road Marking Services installs and repairs barrier packages for NCR and northern highway contractors. Write to hello@psroadmarking.in.