Evaluation of Dowel Bar Alternatives Based on Similarity Model Test

Abstract

In this study, to overcome the high cost of accelerated loading test, a small-scale laboratory experiments were developed and conducted toward the potential dowel bar alternatives. Similarity theory and Accelerated Pavement Analyzer were used to evaluate dowel bars with different materials and cross-sections. The test results showed that larger FRP dowel is required to produce the same load transfer efficiency and differential deflection which would be produced with given size of round steel dowel. Moreover, steel dowel with large diameter can effectively improve the ability of joints to transfer vertical shear forces and reduce the internal stress, thereby extending the service life of dowel load transfer system.