Joint Load-Transfer Prediction Model Considering Dowel-Bar Position Deviation in Rigid Pavements

Abstract

A double-layer structure model of pavements that considered interlayer contact status was established to manage the dowel-bar position deviation problem in rigid pavements. The deviation effect of three-dimensional positions, such as horizontal angle, vertical angle, and embedded depth, on joint load-transfer capacity was analyzed. A load-transfer capacity prediction model that considered dowel-bar position deviation was established via ternary nonlinear regression. The load correction factor and its range were also proposed. This prediction model can effectively reflect the joint load-transfer capacity during dowel position deviation after verification via falling weight deflectometer testing. The horizontal angle of the dowel bar minimally affected joint load-transfer coefficient. By contrast, the joint load-transfer coefficient decreased almost linearly as the vertical angle increased. The coefficient reduced by approximately 12% when the vertical angle was 15°. Meanwhile, the load-transfer coefficient was maximized when a dowel bar was embedded in the middle of a surface. The coefficient would decline either upward or downward. The coefficient particularly decreased by 10% when the position was 2 cm downward.