Laboratory and analytical modelling of misaligned dowel

Abstract

Dowel bars are used at transverse joints in concrete pavements to provide load transfer, reduce faulting and improve joint performance. However, a misaligned dowel may adversely affect the performance of a joint and cause distresses in the pavement. This paper presents development, calibration, validation and application of a finite element model for behaviour analysis of various types of dowel misalignment. The model permitted extension of the laboratory testing factorial, and the results were used to quantify the effects of concrete cover and embedment length.

Keywords:

• concrete pavement
• contraction joints
• dowel misalignment
• finite elements
• joint performance
• load transfer

Acknowledgements

The research presented in this paper was sponsored by National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 10-69 and Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI).