Evaluation of alternative dowel bar materials and coatings.
-
2011-11-01
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Publication/ Report Number:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Edition:Final report; Oct. 2008 to Oct. 2011.
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:This study provided for a continuation of the long-term performance evaluation of 1.5-in (38-mm) diameter FRP dowels
and Type 304 stainless steel solid dowels or mortar-filled tubes compared to epoxy-coated dowels. This primarily
included an evaluation of load transfer efficiency (LTE) based on FWD testing, but also included a limited evaluation of
faulting and ride. In addition, some FWD testing and coring was conducted on older projects (15 to 30+ years old) to
evaluate the long-term corrosion protection provided by epoxy coatings.
The 1.5-in (38 mm) FRP dowels with polyester resin and E-glass exhibited generally low LTE values, and are not
providing performance comparable to that of the 1.5-in (38-mm) epoxy-coated mild steel dowel bars. The evaluation of
alternative stainless steel clad dowels and concrete filled stainless steel tubes or pipes (Type 304 or Type 316) was
inconclusive due to the small sample and the relatively short (14 years maximum) evaluation period, but it appears that
they will perform satisfactorily in excess of 30 years given the minimal deterioration observed.
Based on the coring of the older pavement projects, the life of the epoxy coating on mild steel dowels evaluated in Ohio
and Wisconsin appears to be in the 25 to 30-year range. Many of the epoxy-coated dowels retrieved from in-service
pavements revealed that the epoxy coating was debonded from the mild steel dowel and the surface of the mild steel
dowel under the coating was pitted and rusted. In most cases, however, there was no significant loss of cross section.
A review of two older projects in Ohio constructed with plastic-coated dowels indicated that those dowels were in excellent
condition after 33 years. The overall condition of these projects was also very good, with little if any visible joint
deterioration. Because plastic-coated dowels are similar to epoxy-coated dowels in terms of costs, they appear to be a
cost-effective alternative to conventional epoxy-coated dowels.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
File Type:
Supporting Files
-
No Additional Files
More +