Concrete barriers can be a simple and beneficial indicator that your site has limited access. They also have the capacity to provide protection due to their durable nature.
In this blog, we will be answering the question, ‘How thick is a concrete barrier?’
As an established and trusted concrete provider, PPC Concrete Products aim to provide solutions for people in the construction industry. Alongside interlocking concrete blocks, we also provide Jersey Barriers.
For any building project, knowing the options you can select when it comes to barriers and other concrete solutions can be extremely helpful when it comes to protecting access to your project, building it, and possibly saving you money.
PPC Concrete Products is here to provide the answers you may be looking for whilst giving you an insight into the quality concrete options we supply.
The demand for construction is only increasing, on a private and industrial level. Whichever side you fall into, a concrete barrier may be an option to keep your site secure. Let us tell you more about them.
What is concrete made from?
Normal concrete is made by mixing water, cement and aggregates (gravel, sand, crushed stone), these aggregates help to enforce the durability of the concrete. Certain types of concrete contain other substances that give it additional characteristics.
Where can concrete barriers be used?
Although the purpose of a concrete barrier is quite simple, its level of application is wide. Here is where concrete barriers are used.
- On roads for traffic control.
- For perimeter protection during events (crowd control), construction and more.
- For temporary construction works.
- To protect workers from hazards such as heavy machinery.
- To ensure the safety of motorways and dual carriageways under work
- For security barriers at open rail lines.
- To support a large, temporary structure, such as scaffolding, a stage, or a marquee tent.
- To block unwanted vehicles (e.g. blocking vehicles from getting into a secure location, such as an airport).
- For docking next to waterways.
- For creating parking bays.
- For securing a vacant area.
- For preventing fly-tipping.
- To be used as a base for public seating, public artwork or a public garden feature.
- For use in a public playground or skate park.
How thick is a concrete barrier?
The thickness of a concrete barrier is dependent on the creator and mould they choose to use. When it comes to our concrete barriers, the dimensions are as follows.
The dimensions of our concrete barriers are 900×2000 mm. This equates to 90×200 cm. This is the height and width respectively. If we want to measure the thickness, we must look at the depth.
Our concrete barriers are more narrow on the top than they are on the bottom, this is done to ensure stability, the lighter the top area is, the less weight that can be used for leverage in knocking over the concrete barriers.
With that in mind, the thickness at the bottom of our concrete barriers are 542 mm, the top is 200mm.
These dimensions display that Jersey barriers aren’t tall structures, but more than tall and wide enough to barricade your site from vehicles. The thickness also ensures they become extremely difficult to make unstable, and adds an extra level of durability.
What happens if a concrete barrier isn’t thick?
A thin concrete barrier means it will struggle to barricade anything, even though it is made of concrete, the thiness will mean it isn’t as durable as its thicker counterparts.
We encourage you to get in contact with us if you have any further questions regarding any aspect of our barrier blocks.
Can interlocking concrete blocks be used for barriers?
Yes, you can use our interlocking concrete blocks as a barrier if needs be.
Interlocking Concrete Blocks are a unique form of pre-cast concrete blocks that are designed to hold together by using pre-measured studs and recesses. These concrete blocks are built with unique profiles and features, which allow them to fit perfectly into each other.
If you are not sure which interlocking block is suitable for creating your concrete barrier, then get in touch with us today. Our expert team can advise you on your query and answer any questions you may have.
What are the advantages of interlocking concrete blocks?
- Longer lasting and more durable than a Gabion basket
- Quicker and less hassle to install
- No need for mortar, saving you money and time
- No need for steel reinforcement or shuttering
- Resistant to extreme weather conditions
- Fire-resistant properties, mitigating the spread of fire depending on structure
- Little maintenance required
- Often, no foundation is needed before installing
- Sound resistant
- Sustainable
- Ability to stack them upon each other
- Flexibility in sizes
- Appropriate for temporary and/or permanent buildings
- Unlikely to be displaced due to the interlocking function
- Can be moved with standard lifting equipment
What are interlocking concrete blocks used for?
PPC Concrete Products supply interlocking concrete blocks, we can share with you what they are used for.
- Material Storage bays
- Blast walls
- Salt stores
- Crash protection
- Push walls
- Security barriers
- Segregation bays i.e recycling centres
- Retaining walls
- Industrial buildings
- Fire breaks
- Counterweights
- Roadblocks
Will a concrete barrier stop people from trespassing?
A concrete barrier can serve as a deterrent, or at the very least an indication that the site being barricaded does not allow trespassing. Unfortunately some may negelect this indication and continue to trespass.
Having a level of security can help further deter people from trespassing. In regards to vehicles, a perimeter of concrete barrier is more than enough to prevent a vehicle from entering the site.
Is a plastic barrier better than a concrete barrier?
There is no definitive answer as the needs of the project will determine which kind of barrier is better. Here are some pros and cons of each to help you decide. (Pros & cons of concrete barriers refers to our product)
Pros & cons of a plastic barrier
Pros
- Easier to manouvere without heavy machinery.
- Can be moved after placement
- Can be interlocked (if there is a capacity for it, or it can be done manually via cable ties etc)
- Cheap
Cons
- Very light, has to be weighted down to guarantee stability in harsher weather conditions.
- Its durability is very limited, vehicles, and people can easily move them.
- You will need additional weights (sandbags etc)
Pros and cons of a concrete barrier
Pros
- Durable against impacts of varying degrees
- Weather resistant
- Heavy, reinforces its stability
- Can interlock, further reinforcing stability
Cons
- Can’t be moved once placed, machinery is required
- It may not be tall enough for some people
- An uneven surface may compromise the stability.
As we highlighted, each option may be beneficial for certain projects, this in no way reduces the effectiveness of the other as a whole. On the contrary, knowing the pros and cons in advance can help you swiftly understand when your project definitely requires one of these barriers.
Purchase concrete barriers today
As an established supplier all over the UK, PPC Concrete Products is always happy to help, which is why we encourage you to get in touch with any questions you may have or take a look at our FAQ.
In this article, we hope to have answered the question ‘How thick is a concrete barrier?’ Whilst also providing extra information in regard to construction and the benefits of Jersey Barriers.
Take a read of our case studies to truly understand how we have provided solutions for business in the past with the use of our interlocking concrete blocks, and ultimately, how we can help you today.
Read our blog page for more insights into our passion, construction.
Address:
The Old Gasworks,
Higginshaw Lane,
Royton,
Oldham,
OL2 6HQ
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8 AM til 4 PM
Tel: 01706 655245
Email: info@ppcconcreteproducts.co.uk
