Changing the Shape and Location of Pavement Load Transfer Devices (05-1519) - MP-19
James Karl Cable, Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University

Load transfer is an important aspect of Portland cement concrete joint design. To date aggregate interlock and round, steel dowels have been used to accomplish load transfer. This research looks a the potential of using alternative shaped steel dowels to provide load transfer. A field research project in Iowa has employed two different sized elliptical shaped bars, at three different spacing and number of bars per joint. Test sections included bars across the entire joint and sections employing bars only in the wheel paths. The impact of cut, fill and transition sections were also factored in the experimental design. This paper documents the construction of the project, testing that is being employed and the initial results of the work.