LOW-SEVERITY
TRANSVERE CRACKS
If you have low-severity transverse cracks while aggregate interlock is still intact, 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.
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If aggregate interlock is lost, refer to the cracked slab section.
Resources
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Salt Lake City Concrete Pavement Restoration
In downtown Salt Lake City, Industrial Road at California Avenue required repair. The methods chosen were soil foundation stabilization, slabjacking, slab replacement, stitch-in-time crack repair, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), diamond grinding and joint resealing. The combination of using high density expansive polymers in conjunction with other concrete pavement preservation techniques including dowel bar retrofit and diamond grinding should extend the life of this pavement for approximately 15-20 years.
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Industrial
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing, Slab Stabilization
Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: John Kilpatrick Turnpike, Oklahoma City, OK, Interstate 40 near Yukon to I-35
In 2005, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) identified the need for significant road repairs on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike. Full depth repair, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), diamond grinding and joint resealing methods of repair were selected to address the deterioration. It is predicted that it will be 15 to 20 years before any additional major work will need to be completed.
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Case Study
Highway
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Joint and Crack Resealing
Smoothness
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Concrete Pavement Restoration on State Highway in South Dakota
The city of Watertown, South Dakota, chose diamond grinding and dowel bar retrofit (DBR) for its US 212 project to enhance ride quality and skid resistance. DBR was implemented to restore load transfer across joints. The result was a smooth surface that has remained in good condition for more eight years.
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City/Municipal
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: A progressive concrete pavement preservation strategy improves city streets in Minneapolis
City streets in Minneapolis benefited from the implementation of concrete pavement preservation (CPP) techniques. The strategy focused on rehabilitating structurally sound residential streets using methods such as diamond grinding, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), full depth repair (FDR), partial depth repair (PDR), cross/slot stitching, joint resealing, and crack resealing. This approach was chosen for its sustainability and cost-effectiveness, enhancing road safety and extending pavement lifespan by up to 25 years.
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City/Municipal
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration
Sustainability/Environmental
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Infrastructure rehabilitation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba, saw significant improvements in road smoothness and durability through comprehensive Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation (CPR) initiatives. The project encompassed several techniques, including diamond grinding, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), partial depth repair (PDR), full depth repair (FDR), and transverse joint sealing. These methods were chosen over an asphalt overlay due to their cost-effectiveness, resulting in significant improvements in road smoothness and durability.
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Highway
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing
Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Interstate 15, Ogden, UT
In 2013, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) began concrete rehabilitation on a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 15 in Ogden, UT. Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) methods selected for the project included partial and full panel patching, slab jacking, resealing, dowel bar retrofit (DBR) and diamond grinding. UDOT provided a safe, smooth ride while reducing costs.
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Case Study
Highway
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues