01622703

Component

This study primarily focused on evaluating the effect of two different dowel bar configurations (i.e. standard and special dowel bar configurations) on change in structural response characteristics and performance of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP). A 3-D finite element (FE) model was developed to evaluate the change in structural responses of the JPCP due to the different dowel bar configurations under the critical loading condition. Also, field performance evaluation was conducted using a demonstration project under real traffic and environmental conditions. The FE analysis results found no apparent changes were indicated for corner deflections, edge stresses, bearing stresses in the concrete slab, and dowel shear stresses, which may result in no significant difference in potential performance. To account for the asphalt layer as the base material used in this study, a parametric study was also conducted. The results from the parametric study indicate that change in base modulus significantly affects the dowel-joint behavior and stiffer base condition could significantly improve the dowel-joint performance. In addition, the field performance evaluation results exhibited that no significant performance difference was observed between the pavement sections with standard dowel and special dowel bar configurations which confirms the comparable results between the analytical FE model and experimental field evaluation. Based on these results, it can be concluded that if the base layer is stiff enough to appropriately support the slab deflection and resist erosion, the special dowel bar configuration appears to provide a similar performance as compared to a standard dowel bar configuration.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFD50 Standing Committee on Design and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements. Alternate title: Evaluation of Dowel Bar Configuration on Structural Response Characteristics of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) Using Finite Element Analysis.

01618707

17-01650

English

16p

2017

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Base course (Pavements); Concrete pavements; Dowels (Fasteners); Field tests; Finite element method; Modulus of elasticity; Pavement performance

Configurations; Jointed plain concrete pavements; Structural response

Design; Highways; Pavements

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2017 Paper #17-01650

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 8 2016 10:33AM