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
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Afton Interchange on Will Rogers Turnpike in Oklahoma repaired using CPR
The Afton Interchange on Will Rogers Turnpike in Oklahoma underwent rehabilitation using dowel bar retrofit (DBR), diamond grinding and full depth repair (FDR). The DBR improved load transfer efficiency, diamond grinding enhanced surface smoothness, and full depth repair (FDR) replaced damaged concrete.
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Case Study
Highway
Diamond Grooving, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) Slashed Repair Costs
The city of Baytown, Texas lowered the expected repair costs by 80% with concrete pavement preservation (CPP). CCP techniques are less invasive, low-cost alternatives to full concrete replacements. The city replaced approximately 20 percent of the road surface with CCP work including full-depth panel replacement, dowel bar retrofit, cross stitching, replacement and resetting of manholes, diamond grinding, and crack repair and sealing.
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City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration
Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: First Major Dowel Bar Retrofit Project in Nevada Restores Reno Highway
A highway in Reno, Nevada, underwent a significant rehabilitation project using dowel bar retrofit (DBR) and diamond grinding. DBR restored load transfer, and diamond grinding improved pavement performance. One year following project completion, the improved International Roughness Index (IRI) indicated a significantly smoother ride.
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Highway
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) Built To Last
In 2020, Oklahoma's concrete pavements were due to begin a maintenance cycle, and by the end of that year, concrete pavement preservation (CPP) consisting of selected panel replacements, dowel bar retrofit (DBR) and diamond grinding had been completed on portions of the Cimarron, Bailey and Indian Nation Turnpikes. CPP allows for seven times the length of roadway repaired for every dollar spent.
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Case Study
Highway
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
Dowel Bar Retrofit for Thin Section Pavements
County Highway 22 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, was successfully restored through the implementation of DBR as a concrete pavement preservation technique. DBR involves installing dowel bars to restore load transfer across joints and cracks, effectively linking adjoining slabs, leading to improvements in pavement performance and extending the service life of the roads.
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City/Municipal
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Interstate 29 southbound between Highway 200A and Highway 200, Hillsboro, ND
Interstate 29 Southbound in Hillsboro, North Dakota, saw significant improvements in the International Roughness Index (IRI) through various concrete pavement restoration (CPR) techniques. Key components included diamond grinding, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), full depth repair (FDR), partial depth repair (PDR), and joint resealing. Conducted primarily to restore load transfer and enhance skid resistance, the CPR methods targeted only the most deteriorated sections, demonstrating cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
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Highway
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues