Design, Construction, Performance and Future Direction of Dowel Bar Retrofit in Washington State

Abstract

This article discusses the implementation and outcomes of dowel bar retrofitting for concrete pavements in Washington State, undertaken by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Initially, the Interstate concrete pavements, designed for a 20-year lifespan, were experiencing significant distress due to faulting, leading to inefficient rehabilitation methods like asphalt overlays. In the early 1990s, inspired by successful practices in Puerto Rico, WSDOT explored dowel bar retrofitting as a rehabilitation alternative. The process involved inserting dowel bars into existing pavements to improve load transfer and extend pavement life. The article details the construction of a test section, modifications to the retrofitting process based on findings, costs, and the performance of the retrofitted pavements. It concludes that dowel bar retrofitting is a cost-effective method for rehabilitating faulted concrete pavements, offering a sustainable solution to extend the service life of existing infrastructure. (Abstract generated by AI tool ChatGPT 4)