Cover and Stirrup Effects on the Shear Response of Dowel Bar Embedded in Concrete

Twenty eight reinforced concrete specimens reinforced with a single deformed bar 14, 18, and 24 mm in diameter were tested as a part of a major research program on dowel action. Block-type specimens were loaded, and dowel displacements were detected by linear variable differential transducers. The study results consist of force-displacement curves, displacement and curvature diagrams along the axis of the bar, linear regressions of dowel ultimate capacity, and initial stiffness versus bar diameter. Comparisons with several available models predicting dowel strength are presented and design values for the subgrade stiffness of the concrete embedment are proposed.