Joint Load-Transfer Capacity Prediction Model of Rigid Pavement Considering Position Deviation of Dowel Bar

Abstract

To deal with the problem of the position of a dowel bar in rigid pavement existed deviation, double-layer pavement structure model considering interlayer contact status was established. The effect of the deviation of the three-dimensional position -- such as, horizontal angle, vertical angle and embedded depth -- on joint load-transfer capacity was analyzed. The prediction model of the load-transfer capacity considering the dowel bar position deviation was established by ternary nonlinear regression. The load correction factor and its range were also proposed. After verification by falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing, this prediction model can reflect joint load transfer capacity well when the dowel position deviated. There was little effect of the dowel bar's horizontal angle on the joint load-transfer coefficient. On the contrary, the joint load-transfer coefficient was almost linearly decreased with its vertical angle increase. The coefficient was reduced by approximately 12% when the vertical angle was 15°. Meanwhile, the load-transfer coefficient reached its maximum when the dowel bar was embedded in the middle of the surface. It would decline either upward or downward positions. Especially, it would reduce by 10% when the position went downwards 2 cm.