Experimental Evaluation of Demountable Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Dowel Bar System Incorporating Steel and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Rings in Precast Concrete Pavements

Nabaa A. Al-Shirifi; Haider M. Al-Jelawy; Hisham Jashami

doi:10.51173/jt.v8i1.2795

Authors

Nabaa A. Al-Shirifi Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Haider M. Al-Jelawy Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Hisham Jashami Department of Civil and Construction, College of Engineering, Origen State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51173/jt.v8i1.2795

Keywords:

Demountable Joints, Load Transfer Efficiency, Steel Sleeves, Slab Replacement, Stress Concentration, Structural Performance

Abstract

This study presents an experimental evaluation of a demountable Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) dowel bar system incorporating steel and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) rings for concrete pavement applications. The primary objective is to investigate the load-transfer behavior and structural performance of the proposed system and to compare its response with conventional steel ring configurations. An experimental program is conducted using concrete joint specimens subjected to monotonic vertical loading, where load–displacement behavior, load transfer capacity, and failure characteristics are evaluated. The experimental results indicate that specimens incorporating FRP rings can exhibit superior performance compared to those with steel rings. The maximum load capacity increases by approximately 30–35%, reaching peak values of about 60kN, while the corresponding vertical displacement is reduced by nearly 20–25% relative to reference specimens. Furthermore, the GFRP-based systems demonstrate improved post-peak behavior and more stable load–displacement responses, indicating enhanced load transfer efficiency and reduced stress concentration at the joint interface. Overall, the proposed demountable GFRP dowel bar system shows significant potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional steel dowel systems in concrete pavements, offering improved mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, and ease of disassembly and replacement.

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Author Biographies

Nabaa A. Al-Shirifi, Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

Haider M. Al-Jelawy, Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

Hisham Jashami, Department of Civil and Construction, College of Engineering, Origen State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

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