DOWEL BAR RETROFIT
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Installation of coated dowel bars across existing transverse joints and
cracks.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS
A.Section 03152: Concrete Joint Control
B.Section 03211: Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
1.3REFERENCES
A.AASHTO T 22: Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
B.ASTM C 157: Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and
Concrete
C.ASTM C 309: Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds for Curing Concrete
D.ASTM C 882: Bond Strength of Epoxy-Resin Systems Used With Concrete
By Slant Shear
E.ASTM C 928: Packaged, Dry, Rapid-Hardening Cementitious Materials for
Concrete Repairs
F.UDOT Quality Management Plan 506
1.4DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5SUBMITTALS
A.Manufacturer’s data product sheet and recommended installation
instructions for information.
B.Volumetric Mixer annual inspection and calibration records according to the
Quality Management Plan 506 for information.
Dowel Bar Retrofit – 1 of 5
C.The names and contact information of at least two individuals who have
experience on previous projects in all aspects of the dowel bar retrofit work for information.
1.Provide a written summary of each individual's experience.
2.One of these individuals must be present on the project site during
all working hours to oversee dowel bar retrofit work.
1.6QUALITY CONTROL
A.Provide a technical representative from the patching material product
manufacturer for consultation.
1.The representative must be onsite during test section activities.
2.The Department reserves the right to require the technical
representative to be onsite at any time during product installation.
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1MATERIALS
A.Dowel Bars with Bond Breaking Compound
1.Use 1 ½ inch x 18 inch plain epoxy coated reinforcing steel. Refer
to Section 03211.
2.Use a bond breaking compound applied at the manufacturing
facility.
B.Chair Devices
1.Refer to bar support requirements in Section 03211.
2.Size to provide a clearance of at least ½ inch between the bottom of
the bar and the supporting surface.
C.End Caps
1.Provide tight fitting, non-metallic end caps for 1 ½ inch diameter
dowel bar, manufactured for dowel bar retrofit applications.
D.Caulking Filler
1.Use a commercial caulk capable of bonding to concrete.
E.Patching Material
1.Use prepackaged concrete patching material with an aggregate
extension conforming to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.Use mix with 100 percent of washed aggregate passing the ⅜ inch
screen.
3.Select patching material that meets the performance criteria listed in
Table 1. Dowel Bar Retrofit – 2 of 5
Table 1 Patching Material Compressive Strength Test Method Value At 3 hours AASHTO T 22 3000 psi At 24 hours AASHTO T 22 5000 psi Shrinkage in 14 days ASTM C 157 0.04 percent, max Bond Strength ASTM C 882 as modified by 1000 psi, minimum ASTM C 928, Section 8.5 @ 24 hours
F.Foam Core Board
1.Capable of maintaining the joint or rack.
2.At least 3/8 inch thick.
3.Made of rigid Styrofoam or closed cell foam with poster board
material or plastic faced material on each side.
G.Curing Compound
1.ASTM C 309, Type 1D Class A
2.2EQUIPMENT
A.Jackhammers
1.30 lbs or smaller.
B.Gang Mounted Saws
1.Capable of cutting at least 3 slots per wheel path simultaneously.
2.Capable of vacuuming water and paste residue from surface
immediately after sawing.
C.Volumetric Mixers
1.Meet the requirements of the Quality Management Plan 506 for
volumetric mixers if used.
D.Sandblaster or Water Blasting Equipment
1.Water blasting equipment must be capable of producing at least
3000 psi at the nozzle.
Dowel Bar Retrofit – 3 of 5
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1CONSTRUCTION
A.Test Section
1.Provide a test section consisting of at least 24 complete dowel bar
retrofits at a location determined by the Engineer before beginning production work.
a.Take one 6 inch diameter full-depth core at three separate
locations determined by the Engineer 24 hours after completing the test section to assess the installation. 1) Inspect the cores in the presence of the Engineer. 2) Verify proper dowel placement and that there are no voids around the bar circumference. 3) Repair core holes using the approved patching material. 4) Inspect cured patching material for cracking.
b.Begin production work after obtaining the Engineer’s
concurrence.
2.Additional cores may be required on subsequent production days as
determined by the Engineer.
B.Saw cut the dowel slot into pavement as shown in the PV Series Standard
Drawings.
C.Use a jackhammer for concrete removal in cut slot areas.
1.Produce a flat level surface on the slot bottom
D.Sand or water blast to clean all exposed surfaces and cracks removing
slurry and loose concrete.
1.Demonstrate acceptable results if using water blasting.
E.Clean up and properly dispose of all residues from the saw, jackhammer,
sand or water blasting process, and other sources.
1.Re-clean patching areas as determined by the Engineer if work is
delayed.
F.Place caulking filler in existing joint or crack to prevent intrusion of patching
material.
1.Dry and clean surface receiving caulk.
Dowel Bar Retrofit – 4 of 5
G.Place the foam core board on the dowel bar in line with the transverse joint
or crack.
1.Fit the foam core board tightly around the dowel bar and to the
bottom and edges of the slot.
2.Adjust the height of the foam core board by cutting so it does not
extend above the pavement surface.
H.Place bars so that the bars do not extend more than 11 inch past the
centerline of the slot.
I.Thoroughly dampen concrete surfaces of the slot immediately before filling
with patching material.
1.Prevent standing water in the slot.
2.Remove all excess water with compressed air.
J.Fill the slot with patching material.
1.Consolidate the material in the slot and around the dowel bar with
an appropriate size vibrator.
2.Place patching material no higher than ¼ inch above adjacent
pavement before grinding.
K.Protect the retrofit from traffic until the patching material achieves a
compressive strength of 3,000 psi
L.Begin pavement grinding within 10 working days of placing dowel bar
retrofit patching materials.
1.Grind patching material flush with the adjacent pavement.
M.Remove foam core board as needed to a depth of 2 inch below
surrounding surface and reseal. Refer to Section 03152.
END OF SECTION
Dowel Bar Retrofit – 5 of 5
Dowel Bar Retrofit in other states
Utah revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 567–571 of 1,331.
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