Finite Difference Modeling of Misaligned Dowel Bars and Their Effects on Joint Performance

This paper presents an analysis of the potential impact of misaligned dowel bars on concrete pavement joint performance. The performance and efficiency of a concrete pavement joint is assessed through the ability of the joint to expand and contract under temperature variations. With the finite difference method, the pullout force and stress distribution resulting from various dowel bar misalignment combinations are compared to propose an acceptable misalignment value. It was found that the stress within the concrete is acceptable for dowel bar misalignments of 20 mm, and cracking is expected to occur if a dowel bar is misaligned by more than 25 mm.