Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Samir N. Shoukry.

Abstract

Distress in concrete transverse joints is often initiated due to the development of excessive stresses at the dowel/concrete interface. Recent studies indicated the existence of two types of stresses i.e. compressive stresses at the top and bottom of the dowel and tensile stresses at both sides of the dowel bar. These stresses are the primary concern as they are believed to be a major factor for the failure of rigid pavement joints.;Dr. Shoukry invented a new dowel design named shokbar that significantly reduces the magnitude of such contact stresses. The primary objective of this study is to characterize the behavior of shokbars versus regular dowels. Simulated rigid pavements joints were used for an experimental and finite element study where both devices were subjected to static and fatigue loading. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

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