Evaluation of performance and design of GFRP dowels in jointed plain concrete pavement – part 1: experimental investigation

Abstract

Dowel bars are provided at the transverse joints of the jointed plain concrete pavement to allow for expansion and contraction of the pavement due to moisture and temperature changes. This paper presents experimental and analytical investigations for the deflection response of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowels for different joint widths and concrete grades. The results were compared with those obtained from investigations into the conventional epoxy-coated steel dowel bars of similar rigidity. The experimental results showed that the 38 mm (1.5 in.) GFRP dowels perform better in terms of joint face deflection compared with 25 mm (1 in.) epoxy-coated steel dowel bars. In addition, these results showed that the deflection of the GFRP dowel was significantly affected by changing the concrete compressive strength and the joint widths.