Analytical investigation of the effects of dowel misalignment on concrete pavement joint opening behaviour

Experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to evaluate the effects of dowel misalignment on the joint opening behaviour and associated distresses in concrete pavement joints. The experimental investigations focused on pavement specimens with one or two misaligned dowel bars at the joints, and the results included the pull-out force-joint opening responses and the observations of damage (spalling, cracking, etc.). Numerical models of the pavement specimens were developed to gain additional insight into the behaviour, 3D stresses and strains, and localised damage associated with the misaligned dowel bars. These models accounted for (a) concrete inelasticity in compression and cracking in tension and (b) the longitudinal bond and the transverse interaction between the dowel and the concrete pavement. The models were verified using experimental results and used to identify the occurrence of various material damage limit states (debonding, concrete cracking, etc.) on the joint opening behaviour. The verified models were used to conduct parametric analyses to expand the experimental database and develop comprehensive knowledge of the effects of dowel misalignment on joint opening behaviour. The results were used to develop recommendations for dowel misalignment tolerances.