Smooth dowels should be utilized to transfer loads between adjacent concrete slabs. This typically occurs where a pool deck abuts a building's foundation.
Required by Codes and Standards
The standards set forth by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) are incorporated in and adopted by almost every building code in the United States.
ACI 302.1R goes into great detail about the proper installation and requirements for doweling adjacent concrete slabs and foundations.
Freedom of Movement
Allowing the dowels to move freely within the slabs is one key requirement. This is why greasing, smooth bars and sleeving are key elements.
Smooth dowels are similar in dimensions to typical deformed reinforcement steel (rebar), except that smooth bars do not have any ridges (deformations) along their length. They are smooth...
Sleeving and greasing are two common methods to ensure that the dowels can slip freely within their cavities (when installed after one slab has hardened).
Dowel chairs (dowels supported on wire baskets) are commonly used when foresight allows their installation prior to the first concrete pour.
Cracking
The improper installation of dowels can lead to transfer cracking of either slab.
These are usually caused by the use of deformed bars, whose ridges grab within the drilled holes.
The transfer of stress, causes the bars to crack one or both slabs. Not a serious problem on a patio, but it can be a problem with building foundations, slab floors, highways and bridge decks. Cracks allow water intrusion and possible corrosion of the reinforcement steel. This is why most smooth bar dowels are epoxy coated.
Following the standard industry accepted methods and practices will prevent a lot of repair expenses later.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
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To contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology pool and Spa, email him at: info@aquatictechnology.com or call 408-776-8220.
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