Faulted Joints
If you have faulted joints, you need to perform:
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Dowel bar retrofit (DBR) is a concrete pavement preservation (CPP) tool that restores load transfer across transverse joints and cracks by installing dowel bars to link adjoining slabs. Mechanical load transfer devices such as round steel dowel bars prevent differential vertical movement of the slabs at the joints and cracks, thereby eliminating the formation of faults or stepoffs. Used in conjunction with other CPP practices, such as diamond grinding, DBR can return a concrete roadway to a structurally sound, smooth condition that can exceed the smoothness and noise values attained at the time of construction.
To perform DBR, slots are cut using diamond saw blades. The slots are placed on 1-foot centers, centered over the transverse joint or crack and parallel to the centerline with three or four slots per wheel path. Dowel bar assemblies are placed into cleaned slots then backfilled, patched and diamond ground to provide a safe, smooth and quiet surface.
Where to consider DBR:
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Pavements that exhibit a reduction in load transfer.
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Joint and crack faulting between 1/8 to 3/4 inch.
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Transverse cracks that are reasonably tight with minimal spalling.
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Pavements that were constructed as non-doweled jointed pavements, which can have DBR applied to prevent future faulting.
Resources
Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) Specification (2013)
This standard developed by the International Grooving and Grinding Association (IGGA) specifies the procedures for construction of dowel bar retrofit (DBR) on existing Portland Cement Concrete roadways.
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Specification
Airport/Airfield, Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Progressive Concrete Pavement Preservation Strategy Improves City Streets in Minneapolis
A Progressive Concrete Pavement Preservation Strategy Improves City Streets in Minneapolis
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Case Study
City/Municipal
Cross/Slot Stitching, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing, Slab Stabilization
Friction/Safety, Sustainability/Environmental
Dowel Bar Retrofit: Washington State Study Finds DBR Superior Performing, Cost-Effective Rehab Method
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has implemented Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) on more than 300 lane miles since 1993 to combat aging concrete pavements. The process includes diamond grinding and joint resealing, proving cost-effective for long-term pavement preservation.
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Fact Sheet
Airport/Airfield, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
CPP for City Streets: Smooth Pavements Last Longer!
Concrete pavements can achieve maximum longevity using strategic repair techniques. Today's urban streets have, in many cases, encountered 40 to 60 years of wear and tear. Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) is a series of engineered techniques to rehabilitate concrete pavement. It is a viable alternative to costly asphalt overlays. Basic CPP techniques include: slab stabilization, full depth repair, partial depth repair, dowel bar retrofit, cross-stitching longitudinal cracks or joints, diamond grinding, joint resealing and crack resealing.
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Fact Sheet
City/Municipal
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues, Sustainability/Environmental
Dowel Bar Retrofit: Rebuilt to Last
This study outlines the effectiveness of dowel bar retrofit (DBR) as a concrete pavement preservation tool. DBR restores load transfer across joints and cracks by installing dowel bars to link adjoining slabs. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) pioneered this method in 1992 and has since widely adopted it due to its success. The study highlights DBR’s long-lasting benefits, environmental friendliness, traffic efficiency, flexibility, ease of bidding, and cost-effectiveness.
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Fact Sheet
Airport/Airfield, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial
Dowel Bar Retrofit
Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Pavement rehabilitation in Jamestown, MD
U.S. Highway 281 in Jamestown, North Dakota, underwent concrete pavement rehabilitation methods to extend pavement life and minimize disruptions. Full and partial depth repair, joint resealing and diamond grinding were implemented to restore structural integrity and performance. These measures ensured cost savings, extended pavement life by 15 to 20 years, and minimized disruptions to local traffic and businesses. The project, completed two months ahead of schedule, demonstrated the benefits of targeted pavement preservation techniques.
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Case Study
City/Municipal, Highway
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues