Experimental and Analytical Investigations of Mechanistic Effects of Dowel Misalignment in Jointed Concrete Pavements

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental and analytical investigations on the effects of dowel misalignment on the joint opening behavior and distress in concrete pavement joints. It focuses on the development of three-dimensional (3-D) finite element models for computing the complex stress states and resulting damage in concrete pavement joints with misaligned dowels and, through experimental results, their validation. The concrete pavement is modeled by using a damage–plasticity material model, which uses concepts of damage–plasticity formulation in compression and cracking combined with damage elasticity in tension. The longitudinal bond between the steel dowel and the concrete is modeled in two parts. First, the longitudinal bond resulting from chemical adhesion, mechanical interlock, and static friction (in the aligned state) is modeled by means of spring elements. The nonlinear force–deformation relationship for the spring elements is derived from specific experimental results. Second, the longitudinal bond resulting from transverse interaction between steel dowels and the concrete pavement is modeled by surface-to-surface contact interaction elements and associated friction models. The 3-D finite element models are validated by the results of experimental investigations. These validated models provide significant insight into the 3-D stress states and principal stresses that develop in concrete pavement joints with misaligned dowels. They are used to evaluate analytically the effects of misalignment type, magnitude, uniformity, and distribution on the 3-D stress states and resulting damage in concrete pavements.