Pavement Design

Stresses in Rigid Pavements

Waleed Zeiada, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Civil & Environmental Engineering
 Conceptual Facts
 Stress analysis in PCC is more complicated than AC
 Analysis can only be performed by hand for a few specific cases, but
in general finite element method is used
 Concrete slab is the basic units for jointed rigid pavement
 Modulus of elasticity of concrete is much greater than that of
foundation materials, therefore concrete slabs carry the major
portion of applied stresses
 Cracking is the most significant distress

2
 Cracks in Concrete Pavement
 Natural phenomenon
 Cannot prevent cracks
 Can control cracks through
 Joints (release stresses)
 Distributed steel (hold cracks tightly close)
 Tight vs. Wide Cracks
 Tight cracks:
 Load transfer
 Less pumping

 Wide cracks:
 No load transfer
 Pumping

 Pumping:
 Water penetrates into underneath layers
 Gape develops due to lost of fine materials
by pumping action
 Crack occurs
 Types of Joints

Longitudinal
or

 Contraction Joint
 Allows the slab to shorten as
it's temperature drops below
that at which it was casted
 Types of Joints
 Expansion Joint
 Allows the slab to expand as it's
temperature increases above
that at which it was casted

 Longitudinal/Warping Joint
 Prevents longitudinal cracks
 Takes care of differential
shrinkage and swelling due to
rapid change of moisture
content at the edges of the slab
 Relieves stresses due to warping
 Important Properties
 Concrete slab
 Modulus of elasticity (E), 3 – 5 millions psi
 Flexural strength (Fcr) or modulus of rupture (MR), 200 – 700 psi
 Poisson’s ratio (µ), 0.1 – 0.2
 Slab stiffness (D), function of (E, h, µ)
 Radius of relative stiffness (l), function of (E, h, µ, k)
 Foundation layers (subbase and subgrade)
 Modulus of elasticity of subbase (E), 20,000 – 50,000 psi
 Modulus of elasticity of subgrade (Esg), 5,000 – 25,000 psi
 Modulus of subgrade reaction (k), 50 – 500 pci
7  Poisson’s ratio (µ), 0.3 – 0.5
 Concrete Slab
 Flexural strength (Fcr)
 Third point loading test (ASTM C 78)

PL
Fcr  2 d
bd b

Fcr  (7.5to10) f c psi

8 fc = compressive strength of concrete in psi
 Concrete Slab
 Slab Stiffness (D)

Eh 3
D
12(1   2 )

 Radius of Relative Stiffness (l)

3
Eh
l4
12(1   2 )k

9
 Subgrade
 Modulus of Subgrade Reaction (k)
 ASTM D 1196, AASHTO T222
 k = pressure/deformation ratio at 10 psi

k = p / D  10/ D 10 (pci)
Deflection, D

D 10 in

10 psi

Plate pressure, p
 Stress Analysis of Rigid Pavement
 Temperature Deferential Stresses
o Curling stresses: slab bending due to daily gradients of
temperature
o Frictional stresses: slab contraction due to seasonal uniform drop
of temperature

 Wheel Load Stresses

o Slab bending due to flexural stresses from wheel load

 Combined Stresses
o Load stresses add to/subtract from curling and warping stresses

11
 Temperature Deferential Stresses

12
 Curling Stresses
 Differences in temperature between the top and bottom surfaces of
a PCC slab will cause the slab to curl

warmer

Day
cooler

cooler
Night
warmer
13
 Curling Stresses
 Differences in temperature between the top and bottom surfaces of
a PCC slab will cause the slab to curl

warmer

Day
Tension at bottom in day
Becase it is like simply supported beam cooler
tension
Tension at top in night
Because it looks like two cantilivers

cooler
tension
Night
warmer
14
 Curling Stresses in Infinite Slab
One Way Bending T2
y
ΔT= T1-T2
 Interior curling stress
T1
in x direction (σxi)
 Edge curling stress in x
direction (σxe)
σyi=0 σye=0
 Interior curling stress Ly=∞
in y direction (σyi) σxi
 Edge curling stress in
y direction (σye)
X
σxe
Lx
 Curling Stresses (One Way Curling)
Transverse Stresses Longitudinal Stresses

C x E t DT
 xi 
Interior Stress 2(1   2 )  yi  0
αt = Coefficient of thermal expansion of PCC = 5*10-6/°C
C = curling stress coefficient

C x E t DT  ye  0
Edge Stress  xe 
2
For edge curling stress, µ = 0

x
y
Traffic direction

16
 Curling Stress Coefficient (C)

Eh 3
l4
12(1   2 )k

Radius of Relative
Stiffness, ℓ

Lx / l or Ly / l
 Curling Stresses in finite Slab
Two Way Bending T2= 60 °F
y

T1 = 100 °F
 xi   xe   yi

 yi   ye   xi σyi σye
Ly
σxi

X
σxe
Lx
 Curling Stresses (Two Way Curling)

Transverse Stresses Longitudinal Stresses

E t DT E t DT
Interior Stress  xi  (C x  C y   yi  (C y  C x 
2(1   )
2
2(1   )
2

C x E t DT C y E t DT
Edge Stress  xe   ye 
2 2

x
y
Traffic direction
19
 Curling Stresses – Example
 A concrete slab 25 ft long, 12 ft wide and 8 inches thick, is subjected
to a temperature differential of 11.1 ᴼC. Take k = 300 lb/in3 and αt =
9×10-6 /ᴼC. Determine the maximum curling stress in the interior
and edge of the slab. Assume reasonably any missing data.

 Given:
 Ly = 25 ft  ΔT = 11.1 ᴼC
 Lx = 12 ft  k = 300 lb/in3
 hc = 8 inches  αt = 9×10-6 /ᴼC

 Needed:
 σxi and σyi
 σxe and σye
 Curling Stresses – Example
 Answer:
Eh 3 4,000,000  83
1. l4 4  27.62 in.
12(1   )k
2
12(1  0.15 )300
2

2. Lx/l = 12*12/27.62 = 5.21

Ly/l = 12*25/27.62 = 10.86

3. From graph, Cx = 0.75 and Cy = 1.05

4 106  9 10 6 11.1
4.  xi  (0.75  0.15 1.05  185.5 psi
2(1  0.15 )
2

4 106  9 10 6 11.1

 yi  (1.05  0.15  0.75  237.6 psi
2(1  0.152 )
4 106  9 10 6 11.1
 xe  (0.75  149.85 psi
2
4 106  9 10 6 11.1
 ye  (1.05  209.79 psi
2
 Frictional Stresses
Mechanisms and Model
L
Drag
Friction Drag
Force Contraction Friction
Contraction
Force

Friction Stress No Movement Friction Stress

 Resistance of Fractional Stresses:

 Concrete (tensile strength of concrete)
 Steel (tensile strength of steel)
o Welded wire fabric (wwf)
22 o Tie bars
 Frictional Stresses
Calculation of Stresses
L/2
 FF = F R F Friction = FF F Resisting =FR

 FF = Wslab×τf
 Wslab = VSlab×c τf
 Vslab = L’/2×1.0 ×h”/12
  c = unit weight of concrete
  c = 150 pcf
 τf = friction coefficient

 f  c L' h"
FF 
24
23
 Frictional Stresses
Typical Friction Values

Most typical value assumed

is 1.5

24
 Frictional Stresses
Resistance Through Concrete
y

1 ft

hC
Ly/2
Ly/2
F Concrete =FC
Ly hC

τf

Ly/2 F Friction = FF

Lx
25
 Frictional Stresses
Concrete

Ly/2 FC  Ac c
F Friction = FF F Concrete =FC FC  12hc" c
 f  c L'y hc"
τf
FF 
24
FF = FC
 FF = FC
FC = σ c ×A c  f  c L'y

C 
 σC = Tensile stress of concrete 288
 A c = h c ×12”
Assume τf = 1.5 and γC = 150 pcf

 C  0.8L'y
26
 Frictional Stresses
Concrete
Ly/2

 C  0.8L '
y
F Concrete =FC

 σC ≤ σall
τf
 σall = Allowable tensile strength
of concrete (550 to 700 psi) F Friction = FF

Ly Ly Ly Ly Ly

hc/3to4
hc
27
 Frictional Stresses
Resistance Through Welded Wire Fabric (WWF)
y
Steel in Y Steel in X
direction direction
1 ft

hC
L/2
Ly/2
F Steel =FS
Lx/2 Lx/2
Ly hC

τf
1 ft
Ly/2 F Friction = FF

Lx
28
 Lx/2
Frictional Stresses
WWF in X Direction
F Steel X=FS X y
WWF in X
hC direction

τf
F Friction = FF

 For equilibrium, FF = FS X
Lx/2 Lx/2
 FSX = F all S ×A S X Ly
1 ft
 F all S = 2/3 Fy (yield stress)
 ASX = Area steel in X direction/ft

 f  c L'X hc"
FF 
24 X
 f  c L' X h"c Lx
ASX  in 2 / ft
29 16 Fy
 Ly/2
Frictional Stresses
WWF in Y Direction
F Steel y=FS y y
WWF in X
hC direction

1 ft
τf
F Friction = FF

 For equilibrium, FF = FS X Ly/2

 FSY = F all S ×A S Y Ly
 F all S = 2/3 Fy (yield stress)
 ASY = Area steel in Y direction/ft
Ly/2
 f  c L'y hc"
FF 
24 X
 f  c L' y h"c Lx
ASY  in 2 / ft
30 16 Fy
 Welded Wire Fabric
 Knowing As in for each direction,
determine diameter of bars and
spacing in both X and Y directions

31
 Welded Wire Fabric

32
 Welded Wire Fabric

33
 Welded Wire Fabric – Example
 Determine the wire fabric required for a two lane concrete
pavement 8 inches thick, 50 ft long and 24 ft wide with a
longitudinal joint at the center. Fy = 40,000 psi, c = 150 pcf, and
τf = 1.5.

 Given:  Needed:
 Ly = 50 ft  WWF in X direction
 Lx = 12 ft  WWF in Y direction
 hc = 8 inches
 Fy = 40,000 psi
 c = 150 pcf
 τf = 1.5
 Welded Wire Fabric – Example
 Answer
1. WWF in X direction
6’

1’ FS X

8”
τf=1.5
FF

 f  c L' h" 1.5 150 12  8

ASX  X c
  0.0338 in 2 / ft
16 Fy 16  40,000
 Welded Wire Fabric – Example
 Answer
2. WWF in Y direction
25’

1’ FS Y

8”
τf=1.5
FF

 f  c L' h" 1.5 150  50  8

ASY  Y c
  0.141 in 2 / ft
16 Fy 16  40,000
From Table 6-11 (Witczak Book), use WWF style 612-2/04 with 6” spacing in
longitudinal direction and 12” spacing in transverse direction
 Frictional Stresses
Tie Bars
y Lx

S F Tie Bar =FT

hc

Ly Spacing, S F Friction = FF
 For equilibrium, FF = FT

Wslab  f   all  ASteel

The design criteria for transverse
X
steel is to make sure that friction
related stresses do not exceed
Lx Lx the allowable stress in steel (2/3
37 x Yield Stress)
 Tie Bar Function and Design
 Placed across longitudinal joints at the mid-depth of the
slab
 Prevent lanes from separation and differential deflections
 Made of deformed epoxy coated steel
 Reduce transverse cracking
 #4 or #5 bars
 2.5 ft long
 2.5 ft spacing (24 – 36 inch)

38
 Tie Bar Design
a) Tie Bar Diameter D and Spacing S
 For Equilibrium:
FF  FT Wslab  f   all  ASteel

S " hc" ' 2 

 c    LX  f  Fy   D 2
12 12 3 4
1
D2   c  S "  hc"  L'X  f
24    Fy

 Assume bar diameter (either #4 or #5 bars). i.e., D = 4/8” or 5/8”

 Find Spacing (maximum)
 Engineering adjustment

39
 Tie Bar Design
b) Length of Bars

 The length of tie bars is governed by the allowable bond stress at

the point just when the bar yields
Lbonding = Lb

u
Fbond = Fb Fbond = Fb
u
τf τf
F Friction = FF F Friction = FF

Lb/2

Fb FT Lb = bar length
u (inches)
τf u = bond stress (psi)
F Friction = FF
40
 Tie Bar Design
b) Length of Bars

 For Equilibrium:

FT  Fb
2 
FT  Fy   D 2"
3 4
L"b
Fb  u     D "
2

 Assume u = Allowable bond strength of concrete, uc= 350 psi

1
L"b  Fy  D" L"bDesign  L"b  3"
3uc
41
 Tie Bar Design
c) Steel Properties

Approx. Nominal Diameter (in) Nominal Area

Bar Number
Metric Size in Mm In2 mm2
#3 #10 0.375 = 3/8 9.5 0.11 71
#4 #13 0.500 = 4/8 12.7 0.20 129
#5 #16 0.625 15.9 0.31 199
#6 #19 0.750 19.1 0.44 284
#7 #22 0.875 22.2 0.60 387
#8 #25 1.000 25.4 0.79 510
#9 #29 1.128 28.7 1.00 645
#10 #32 1.270 32.3 1.27 819

Min. Yield Strength Allowable Stress

Steel Grade Metric Grade
psi MPa psi MPa
Grade 40 Grade 280 40000 280 27000 186
Grade 60 Grade 420 60000 420 38000 260
Grade 75 Grade 520 75000 520 46000 320
42 Source: ASTM A615
 Tie Bar – Example
 Determine the diameter, spacing, and length of tie bars required
for a two lane concrete pavement, 10 inches thick, 50 ft long, and
24 ft wide with a longitudinal joint at the center. Fy = 30,000 psi,
uc = 300 psi, c = 150 pcf, and τf = 1.5.

 Given:  Needed:
 Ly = 50 ft  Diameter and spacing of tie bars
 Lx = 12 ft  Length of tie bars
 hc = 10 inches
 Fy = 30,000 psi
 Uc = 300 psi
 c = 150 pcf
 τf = 1.5
 Tie Bar – Example
 Answer:
1. Diameter and Spacing of Tie Bars

1
D  2
 c  S "  hc"  L'X  f
24    Fy

1
D  2
150  S " 10 12 1.5
24    30,000

D 2  0.01194  S "

Bar # D (in.) S (in.) S Design(in.)

4 0.5 20.93 20.0

5 0.625 32.71 32.0

 Tie Bar – Example
 Answer:
2. Length of Tie Bar

1
L"b  Fy  D"
3uc

1
L"b  30,000  D"
3  300

L"Design  Lb  3"

Bar # D (in.) Lb (in.) Lb Design(in.)

4 0.5 16.7 20.0

5 0.625 20.8 24.0

 Slab Expansion/Contraction
Joint Opening
 Slab contraction due to temperature decrease shorten the length of
the slab and increase the width of the joint opening
 Joint opening is important to JPCP because they derive their vertical
load transfer only through aggregate interlock
 Joint opening is a factor used to determine maximum slab length in
addition to friction

46
 Slab Expansion/Contraction
Joint Opening

 Joint opening can be determined due to two main factors:

 Contraction due to temperature decrease (ΔT)
 Contraction strain due to post construction shrinkage during curing ()

DL  cL( t DT   )

 C = 0.65 for stabilized base and 0.8 for unstabilized base

 Maximum allowable openings vary
 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) undoweled
 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) doweled

47
 Joint Opening – Example
 Find the allowable joint spacing of dowelled and undowelled
contraction joints for the following data based on joint opening
criteria: Allowable joint opening for dowelled joints: 6.4 mm
Allowable joint opening for undowelled joints: 1.3 mm. ΔT = 33 oC;
αt = 9.9 ×10-6 /oC;  = 1.0×10-4; and C = 0.65
 Given:  Needed:
 ΔL Dowelled = 6.4 mm  L
 ΔL Undowelled = 1.3 mm
 ΔT = 33 oC DL  cL( t DT   )
 αt = 9.9 ×10-6 /oC
  = 1.0×10-4
 C = 0.65
 Joint Opening – Example
 Answer:
1. For Dowelled Condition:
DL  cL( t DT   )

6.4  0.65  L(9.9 10 6  33  1.0 10 4 )

L  23075 mm  23.0 m

2. For Undowelled Condition:

DL  cL( t DT   )

1.3  0.65  L(9.9 10 6  33  1.0 10 4 )

L  4687 mm  4.7 m
 Things to Remember
 Modulus of elasticity of concrete = 3 – 5 millions psi
 Flexural strength (Fcr) of concrete = 200 – 700 psi
 Poisson’s ratio of concrete (µ) = 0.1 – 0.2
 Modulus of elasticity of subbase materials = 20,000 – 50,000
psi
 Modulus of elasticity of subgrade materials = 5,000 – 25,000
psi
 Modulus of subgrade reaction (k) = 50 – 500 pci
 Poisson’s ratio of base, subbsase, and subgrade (µ) = 0.3 – 0.5

50
 Things to Remember
 Typical coefficient of friction value: τF= 1.5
 Unit weight of regular concrete: C = 150 pcf
 Typical allowable tensile strength of concrete: σC = 550 to 700 psi
 Yield tensile strength of steel: Fy = 40,000 to 75,000 psi
 Allowable tensile strength of steel Fall = 2/3 times Yield tensile
strength Fy
 Bond strength of concrete: u = 350 psi
 #4 steel bar means that the diameter D of the steel bar = 4/8 = 0.5
inch
 Typical tie bar length is 2.5 feet and diameter # 4 or 5
 Maximum spacing between tie bars is 40 inches
51
 Stresses from Loads
 Closed Form Equations
 Influence Charts
 Finite Element Computer Programs

52
 Closed-Form Formulas
Assumptions

 Slab is large and rest on a liquid foundation

 Subgrade is a set of independent sprigs
 Deflection at any given point is proportional to the force
at that point
 No vertical strain from the slab
Interior Edge
 Applicable to three locations
 Corner
Corner
 Edge
 Interior

53 k
 Closed-Form Formulas

 Corner Stress
 Used for highway analysis
 Tensile stresses at the top of the slab

Corner

54 k
 Closed-Form Formulas
Corner Stress
 Westergaard (1926)
 Circular loading area
 Subgrade reaction forces are considered

3P  a 2 
0.6

 c  2 1    
h     
 

P   a 2 
Dc  2 1.1  0.88 

k    

55
 Closed-Form Formulas

 Interior Stress
 Used in airfield pavement analysis
o US Army Corps of Engineers USACE
o Federal Aviation Administration FAA
o Portland Cement Association PCA

 Tensile stresses at the bottom

of the slab
Interior

56 k
 Closed-Form Formulas
Interior Stress
 Westergaard (1926)
 Circular loading area
 Poisson's ratio = 0.15

0.316 P    
i   4log    1.069
b
2
h  
 a a  1.724h
b
 1.6a  h  0.675h a  1.724h
2 2

P   a  a  
2
1
Di  2 
1  ln   0.673   
57 8k  2      
 Closed-Form Formulas
 Edge Stress
 Used in airfield pavement analysis
o US Army Corps of Engineers USACE
o Federal Aviation Administration FAA
o International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

 Tensile stresses at the bottom

of the slab
Edge

58 k
 Closed-Form Formulas
Edge Stress

 Westergaard (1948)
 Circular loading area
 Poisson's ratio = 0.15

0.803P   a 

 e circle   4 log   0.666   0.034
a 
2
h  

0.431P   a 
D e circle  1  0.82 
k 
2
  

59
 Closed-Form Formulas
 Westergaard (1926)
 Elliptical loading area impact

Area 1  Area 2 0.3L

Area 1   (0.3L) 2  (0.4L)  (0.6L)
P
Area 1  0.5227 L  a
=
2
0.4L
q
Area 2   a 2
0.3L
 a  0.5227 L
2 2

0.6L
0.5227 L2 P(one tire)
a L
 q  0.5227
60
 Closed-Form Formulas
 Westergaard (1926)
 Elliptical loading area impact (dual tire)
Sd
0.3L

a
= 0.4L L

Area 1  Area 2 0.3L

Area 1  Sd  L  0.5227L 2
0.6L 0.6L
Area 2   a 2
Sd - 0.6L

Sd  L  0.5227 L2 P(one tire)

a L
61  q  0.5227
 Closed-Form Formulas
 Westergaard (1926)
 Elliptical loading area impact (dual tandem tire)
Sd
Area 1  Area 2 0.3L

Area 1  Sd  (St  L )  2(0.5227L 2 ) 0.4L

Area 2   a 2 0.3L

Sd ( St  L)  2(0.5227 L2 ) St
a a =


P(one tire)
L
q  0.5227
0.6L 0.6L
62 Sd - 0.6L
 Load Stress-Problem
 Using Westergaard equations determine the
maximum stress at interior, edge and corner if a
50,000 lb load is applied on a set of dual tires spaced
at 14 inches on centers. Use the following data:
 q=120 psi;
 k = 150 lb/in3;
 h = 10 inches;
 E = 4,000 ksi;
 μ = 0.15.

63
 Load Stress-Answer
 Corner Stress:
Eh 3 4 106 103
l4 4  38.83 in.
12(1   )k
2
12(1  0.152 )150

50,000 Pone tire 25,000

Pone tire   25,000 lb. Area    208.33 in.2  0.5227  L2
2 q 120

L  19.96 in.

o The area of equivalent circle (π a2)= 0.5227 L2 + L×St

Sd  L  0.5227 L2 14 19.96  0.5227(19.96) 2
a   12.46 in.
 

3P   a 2   3  50,000   12.46 2  
0.6 0.6

 c  2 1    

1      566.2 psi
h        38.83  

2
10
   
64
 Load Stress-Answer
 Edge Stress:
 Circular Area:

0.803P   a 

 ecircle       
h 2  
4 log 0.666 0.034
a  

0.803  50,000   38.83   12.46  

 e circle   4 log    0.666   0.034   864.9 psi
10 2   12.46   38.83  

65
 Load Stress-Answer
 Interior:
 a a  1.724h
b
 1.6a  h  0.675h a  1.724h
2 2

 1.742h = 1.742×10 = 17.42

a  12.46  17.42
 b  1.6a 2  h 2  0.675h

b  1.6 12.46 2  10 2  0.675 10  11.92 in.

0.316 P   
i    
h 2  
4 log 1.069
b 

0.316  50,000   38.83  

i   4 log    1.069   493.1 psi.
 11.92 
2
66 10  
 Limitations of Closed-Form Formulas
 Load locations are fixed (i.e., interior, edge and corner)
 Applicable to only large slabs
 Assumes full subgrade support
 No consideration is given to load transfer across joints
 Applicable to only simple wheel/axle configurations
2D/3D2
2D/2D2 A380
B747

67
 Finite Element Computer Programs
EverFE

68
 Dowel Bars
 Placed across transverse joints at the mid-depth of the slab
 Transfer load from one slab to another without preventing
the joint from opening
 Commonly made of round, smooth, epoxy coated steel bars

69
 Why do We Need Dowels
 None or inadequate dowel bar design

Faulted Joint

70
 Dowel Bars-Misalignment

71
 Vertical Position Problem

Cracking occurred near the joint the

next morning
72
Dowel Bar Inserter: to achieve proper alignment

73
 Dowel Bar Design
Design Methodology

 Assume a bar geometry

 Assume a bar diameter
 Assume a load transfer efficiency
 Apply load transfer efficiency to determine
design loads
 Account for dowel group action
– Check shear stress in bar
– Check bending stress in bar
– Check bearing stress in concrete
74
 Dowel Bar Design
Design Methodology

 General recommendation
 < 8 inch thick PCC, 1 inch diameter dowel
 8 – 10 inch thick PCC, 1.25 inch diameter dowel
 > 10 inch thick PCC, 1.5 inch diameter dowel
 15-17 inch length
 12 inch center-to-center spacing
 Capped

75
 Dowel Bar Design
Stresses in Dowel Bars

 Load Transfer Efficiency (LTE)

 Part of P is transferred to next slab
 100% efficiency = 50% of P transferred
 As pavement ages LTE reduces, 90% LTE = 45% of P
transferred, etc.

Pg Pg

PL >> PR
Pg/2 Pg/2
76
 Dowel Bar Design
Stresses in Dowel Bars
 Dowel Group Action

Each dowel takes part of the

applied load so that none are
subjected to the total wheel load

77
 Dowel Bar Design
Stresses in Dowel Bars
 Dowel Group Action
 The dowel immediately under the load carries the
greatest amount of load
 The amount of load carried by dowels reduces as
distance from the tire load increases
 Theoretical analysis shows that the interaction of dowel
bars extends 1.8  from the point of load.
 The reduction is assumed to follow a linear curve.

78
 Dowel Bar Design
Dowel Group Action-Single Wheel Gear

Pg 1.8

n=1 n=2 n=3 n=4 n=5 n=6

y6
y5
y3 y4 Pt6
y1 =1 y2 Pt5
Pt4
Pg
Pt  Transferred Load   Pti 
Pt3
Pt3
Pt1 2
1.8  (i  1)  S yi
yi  Pi (in Dowel )   Pt
1.8 y i
1
Pmax(in Dowel )  P1   Pt
79 y i
 Dowel Bar Design
Dowel Group Action-Single Wheel Gear

1.8 Pg 1.8

n=5 n=4 n=3 n=2 n=1 n=2 n=3 n=4 n=5

yi
y1 =1

Pi

P1

1
Pmax(in Dowel)  P1   Pt
yi
80
 Problem-1
 A concrete pavement 10 inches thick having
dowels which are 1.0 inch in diameter and 12
inches on centers resting on a subgrade layer
having a modulus of subgrade reaction of 150 pci.
A load of 9000 lb is applied over the outermost
dowel at a distance of 6 inches from the edge.
Determine the maximum transferred load carried
by dowel bar.
9000lb 1.8

S =12”

81
 Answer
 d = 1.0 inch  k = 150 pci
 h = 10 inches  P = 9000 lb
 S = 12 inch
 Assume, E = 4x106 psi, µ = 0.15, and LTE = 90%
Eh3 4 106 103
l4 4  38.83 in.
9000lb 1.8  70 inches 12(1   2 )k 12(1  0.152 )150

S =12”
10”

n=1 n=2 n=3 n=4 n=5 n=6

y6
y5
y3 y4 Pt6
y1 =1 y2 Pt5
Pt4
Pt3
Pt3
82
Pt1
 Answer
 d = 1.0 inch  k = 150 pci
 h = 10 inches  P = 9000 lb
 S = 12 inch
 Assume, E = 4x106 psi, µ = 0.15, and LTE = 90%

Eh3 4 106 103

l4 4  38.83 in.
12(1   2 )k 12(1  0.152 )150

Pg9,000 ni yi
Pt  Transferred Load    0.9   4050lb 1 1.00
2 2
2 0.83
1.8  (i  1)  S 3 0.66
yi  4 0.49
1.8 5 0.31
1 1
Pmax(in Dowel )  P1   Pt   4050  1181 lb 6 0.14
y i 3.43 ∑yi 3.43

83
 Dowel Bar Design-Shear Failure
Stresses in Dowel Bars - Shear Stresses
Pmax

Pmax Pmax
 shear   r
A r 2
z
Pmax
 Shear failure is very unlikely
 shear should not be larger than the allowable
shear stress in steel
 Allowable shear stress = 60% of allowable axial
84 stress
 Dowel Bar Design-Shear Failure
Stresses in Dowel Bars - Bending Stresses in Bars

Pmax  z  2  M Pmax
M Pmax  z
 bending  r  r M M r
Ix 2I x
z
r 4
Ix  Pmax
4

 Bending failure is unlikely

 bending should not be larger than the allowable
axial stress in the steel
85
 z is the joint opening
 Dowel Bar Design-Bearing Failure
Stresses in Dowel Bars - Bearing Stress

Pmax
Distribution of bearing stress
z

 bearing  y
 y = bar deformation
 k = Modulus of dowel bar reaction
 k = 350,000 to 2,000,000 pci  bearing  k  y
 kdesign = 1,500,000 pci
86
 Dowel Bar Design-Bearing Failure
Pmax Stresses in Dowel Bars - Bearing Stress

Timoshenko
z Equation
xi
X Pmax
yi y0  (2   z )
x= 0
4  Ed I d
3

y0 = ymax
 bearing  K  y0
Y
 y0 = end deflection of bar subject to load Kd  d4
 β = relative stiffness of bar  4 Id 
4 Ed I d 64
 d = bar diameter
 Ed = Dowel bar modulus (30*106 psi)
 Id = moment of inertia of dowel bar  bearing   b  all
 z = joint opening (0.1 to 0.25 in.) 0.2 in.
 f’c = compressive strength of PCC (4000 psi) 4d 
 σb-all = allowable bearing strength of PCC (3000 psi)
 b  all     f 'c
87  3 
 Problem-2
 A 1.0 inch diameter dowel bar is transferring a
vertical load of 800 lb across a 0.2 inch wide joint.
Compute the dowel bar deflection at the edge of
the joint and the corresponding concrete bearing
stresses. Can the concrete handle this stress?
Given, K of 1.5x106 pci, Ed of 30x106 psi, and f’c of
4,000psi.

88
 Answer
 d = 1.0 inch  k = 1,500,000 psi
 Pmax = 800 lb  Ed = 30x106 psi
 Z = 0.2 inch  f’c = 4,000psi
 14
Id   0.0491 inch 4
64
Kd 1.5  10 6
1.0
 4 4  0.71 inch
4 Ed I d 4  30 106  0.0491

Pmax 800
y0  ( 2   z )  (2  0.71 0.2)  0.000812 inch
4  Ed I d
3
4  0.71  30 10  0.0491
3 6

 bearing  1.5 106  0.000812  1,217 psi

4d   4 1 
 b  all     f ' c   b  all     4,000  4,000 psi   bearing
 3   3 

89
Therefore, the concrete can handle the bearing stresses
 Review
 Check list of by-hand stress analysis for PCC pavements
 Temperature related
o Curling due to temperature gradient (cracking and faulting)
o Frictional stresses (cracking)
o Slab contraction (not stress analysis, but useful)
 Temperature steel
o Area of steel, and spacing
 Tie bars
o Area of steel, spacing, length of steel, subgrade drag
 Traffic loading
o Load at corner, load at interior, load at edge
o Loads + curling
 Dowel bars
o Dowel group action, shear stress, bending stress, Bearing stress
90