Changing the Shape and Location of Pavement Load Transfer Devices

Abstract

Load transfer is an important aspect of portland cement concrete joint design. To date, aggregate interlock and round steel dowels have been used to accomplish load transfer. Research was done to examine the use of steel dowels of alternative shapes to provide load transfer. A field research project in Iowa has used two elliptical bars of different sizes at three spacings and numbers of bars per joint. Test sections included bars across the entire joint and sections using bars only in the wheelpaths. The impact of cut, fill, and transition sections was also factored into the experimental design. This paper documents the construction of the project, testing that is being done, and the initial results of the work.