Faulted Joints
If you have faulted joints, you need to perform:
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Dowel bar retrofit (DBR) is a concrete pavement preservation (CPP) tool that restores load transfer across transverse joints and cracks by installing dowel bars to link adjoining slabs. Mechanical load transfer devices such as round steel dowel bars prevent differential vertical movement of the slabs at the joints and cracks, thereby eliminating the formation of faults or stepoffs. Used in conjunction with other CPP practices, such as diamond grinding, DBR can return a concrete roadway to a structurally sound, smooth condition that can exceed the smoothness and noise values attained at the time of construction.
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To perform DBR, slots are cut using diamond saw blades. The slots are placed on 1-foot centers, centered over the transverse joint or crack and parallel to the centerline with three or four slots per wheel path. Dowel bar assemblies are placed into cleaned slots then backfilled, patched and diamond ground to provide a safe, smooth and quiet surface.
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Where to consider DBR:
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Pavements that exhibit a reduction in load transfer.
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Joint and crack faulting between 1/8 to 3/4 inch.
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Transverse cracks that are reasonably tight with minimal spalling.
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Pavements that were constructed as non-doweled jointed pavements, which can have DBR applied to prevent future faulting.
Resources
Dowel Bar Retrofit - Do's and Don'ts
Detailed guidelines for the construction and inspection of dowel bar retrofit (DBR) projects are provided in this Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) report. Essential steps include cutting slots, removing existing concrete, cleaning slots, applying silicone sealant, placing dowel bars, and patching with concrete material. The study emphasizes the importance of proper dowel bar placement tolerances and the use of diamond grinding to restore pavement smoothness. Additionally, managing slurry is highlighted to ensure environmental compliance.
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Technical Info
City/Municipal, Highway
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
FHWA Pavement Preservation Checklist Series: Dowel Bar Retrofit
This checklist for dowel bar retrofit for portland cement concrete is one in a series created to guide state and local highway preservation/maintenance and inspection staff on the use of innovative pavement preservation techniques. FHWA uses its partnerships with different pavement preservation organizations including American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and state and local transportation agencies to promote pavement preservation.
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Technical Info
City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) Specification (2013)
This standard developed by the International Grooving and Grinding Association (IGGA) specifies the procedures for construction of dowel bar retrofit (DBR) on existing Portland Cement Concrete roadways.
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Specification
Airport/Airfield, Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
CPR Built to Last: A Progressive Concrete Pavement Preservation Strategy Improves City Streets in Minneapolis
Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) has long been used on deteriorated highways, but it also offers an alternative to asphalt overlays when rehabilitating city streets constructed of concrete. Techniques include: Slab stabilization, Full-depth repair (FDR), Partial-depth repair (PDR), Dowel bar retrofit (DBR), Cross-stitching longitudinal cracks or joints, Conventional diamond grinding (CDG) and Joint and crack resealing.
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Case Study
City/Municipal
Cross/Slot Stitching, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing, Slab Stabilization
Friction/Safety, Sustainability/Environmental
Dowel Bar Retrofit: Washington State Study Finds DBR Superior Performing, Cost-Effective Rehab Method
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has implemented Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) on more than 300 lane miles since 1993 to combat aging concrete pavements. The process includes diamond grinding and joint resealing, proving cost-effective for long-term pavement preservation.
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Fact Sheet
Airport/Airfield, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
CPP for City Streets: Smooth Pavements Last Longer!
Concrete pavements can achieve maximum longevity using strategic repair techniques. Today's urban streets have, in many cases, encountered 40 to 60 years of wear and tear. Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) is a series of engineered techniques to rehabilitate concrete pavement. It is a viable alternative to costly asphalt overlays. Basic CPP techniques include: slab stabilization, full depth repair, partial depth repair, dowel bar retrofit, cross-stitching longitudinal cracks or joints, diamond grinding, joint resealing and crack resealing.
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Fact Sheet
City/Municipal
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues, Sustainability/Environmental