Abstract: A mechanical connector for securing a dowel rod to a frame of a dowel bar assembly as well as a dowel bar assembly are detailed. Each embodiment of the mechanical connector includes a portion to receive the dowel bar. A second portion of the mechanical connector engages the frame of the dowel bar assembly. A third portion of the mechanical connector engages a separate part of the frame further stabilizing the mechanical connector and frame.

Abstract: Procedures and devices for the formation of retraction joints in works of concrete. The devices are made of a material for separating concrete and have a configuration that comprises: a) A vertical wall (15, 15?) in its top portion that is planned to be placed underneath the surface fissure line of the retraction joint on the top face of a surface of the concrete; b) Two prismatic surfaces (17, 17?) equal on their bottom part deployed on alternate sides with respect of the vertical wall and configured for the formation of entries and exits imbricated between adjacent slabs forming the faces of support (21, 21?) of one slab over the other at angles of between 0° and ?10° with respect of the horizontal plane. The procedures are based on the insertion of the devices in fresh concrete in the position planned for each retraction joint using a machine.

Abstract: An expansion joint formed within a channel between two adjacent road surfaces and a method of preparing an expansion joint. The joint is formed within a channel having sides each extending from an adjacent road surface to a bottom side of the channel. The joint construction may include at least one layer of a binder covering at least a portion of the sides of the channel, and one or more layers of aggregate chips and the binder covering the at least one binder layer so as to fill the channel to at least the top of the road surface. The cumulative surface area of the two channel sides may be greater than the cumulative surface area of two channel sides each planar and perpendicular to the bottom. The joint construction may include a plate on the bottom side of the channel. The joint construction may include a flexible sheeting between the plate and the at least one binder layer.

Abstract: A plural-component, composite-material highway dowel bar and an associated fabrication methodology. The dowel bar includes an elongate, solid-cylindrical, high-shear-strength core bar, preferably steel, and an elongate, fiber-reinforced plastic-resin jacket, including an elongate, pultrusion-formed, tubular sleeve, and sleeve-received, opposite-end, end-well sleeve end plugs, fully surrounding and protectively covering the core bar.

Abstract: A junction between successive flat pre-fabricated elements which comprises an elastic transverse insert (9), an approaching mechanism (10) in the form of tie beams (23) and tensioning mechanisms (19). The flat pre-fabricated elements (2) to be assembled each have a transverse channel (3) adapted so as to receive the insert along the end transverse edges (4, 5) thereof, which must face each other after assembly on the ground, and conduits (7) of the tie beams. Each pre-fabricated element is successively arranged, one after the other, and the transverse insert is introduced into the transverse housing (6) formed by transverse channels facing each other. The tie beams are introduced into the conduits, the ends thereof projecting outside the pre-fabricated elements. The tie beams are then tensioned by a tensioning mechanism, at each of the ends thereof, in order to immobilize the flat pre-fabricated elements and thereby connected by the tie beams.

Abstract: A tapered dowel bar for transferring loads across a joint between adjacent concrete slabs is disclosed. The dowel tapers from one relatively wide cross section into one or more relatively narrow ends. The shape of the dowel is optimized to provide the highest amount of steel along the joint where the loads are highest. The tapered dowel is embedded in one or both sides into a socket assembly that connects the dowel to essentially planar top and bottom surfaces of a pocket former embedded in the concrete. The load transfer assembly restricts any relative vertical displacement between the first and second slabs. The socket assembly embedded in the pocket former or equipped with compressible material accommodates relative horizontal movement between adjacent slabs in directions essentially parallel and perpendicular to the joint.

Abstract: A cover plate system for a gap (15) between two structural members (10, 20) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover (30) that extends across the gap (15) from a first structural member (10) to a second, spaced-apart structural member (20). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors (40) for engaging the cover plate (30) to an underlying structural member (10) and dampers (50, 60) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate (30) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate (30), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an on-grade joint-stability system for on-grade concrete slabs. Embodiments of the system may include: a first on-grade concrete-slab portion; a second on-grade concrete-slab portion that is separated from the first on-grade concrete-slab portion by a joint; a first on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath the second concrete-slab portion; and a second on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the second concrete-slab portion, such that height differentials across the joint are substantially prevented.

Abstract: A mechanical wedge mechanism comprising base member, output member, and movable wedge member in which frictional connections between mutually movable mechanical members are replaced with shear deformations in elastomeric shims connecting respective surfaces of the members, thus effectively reducing frictional losses in the mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc dowel system interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a positioner bracket, a pocket former and a dowel plate. The positioner bracket has a vertically disposed base flange and a horizontally disposed plate portion extending therefrom. The base flange is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open, generally straight side and an arch-shaped compartment perimeter extending therefrom. The straight side is aligned with the pour joint. The pocket former is positioned within the first pour by the positioner bracket. The dowel plate has a generally rounded shape with an embed portion and a slidable portion.

Abstract: A disc dowel system is interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a positioner bracket, a pocket former and an orthogonally shaped dowel plate. The positioner bracket has a vertically disposed base flange and a horizontally disposed plate portion extending therefrom. The base flange is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open, generally straight side and a compartment perimeter. The straight side is aligned with the pour joint. The pocket former is positioned within the first pour by the positioner bracket. The dowel plate has an orthogonal shape with an embedded portion and a slidable portion.

Abstract: A joint stabilizing apparatus having an expandable cylindrical housing is inserted into a circular hole drilled at a “loose joint” of a concrete slab that is to be stabilized against relative vertical displacement between adjacent slab sections. The hole is drilled downward into the concrete, centered on the plane of a lateral opening/joint in the concrete slab. The expandable housing comprises two rigid semi-circular housing halves, and the assembly is oriented inside of the circular hole such that the two housing halves are on opposite sides of the centerline of the lateral opening/joint. The housing halves are pushed apart by turning of a threaded bolt inside of the housing. Turning of the bolt causes two bi-laterally symmetric wedge blocks to draw towards each other, and pressing the bearing surfaces of the wedge blocks against inclined surfaces inside of the respective housing halves.

Abstract: An expansion joint system for roadway constructions is provided incorporating dampers that are designed to protect the roadway constructions from the effects of disturbances caused by seismic events and vehicular traffic by absorbing and dissipating mechanical vibration energy.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated warped pavement slab and a forming system for making the slabs. The forming system includes a plurality of forming sections which can be adjusted so as to form a warped-plane pavement slab. Also disclosed are methods for making the pavement slab and forming system. Also disclosed is a method for installing the warped pavement slab.

Abstract: A bridge deck construction form is provided capable of being used in a series of interlocking forms. The system uses an interlocking grid of plastic forms upon which the concrete is poured. The forms have male and female interlocking connectors around their perimeter to allow the forms to lock together end to end and side to side. The top surface of the form is smooth, and a series of hand grip indentations and fork lift fork receiving recess indentations are provided about the vertical perimeter apron to allow for easy handling and manipulation of the forms, whether by hand or by fork-lift, during placement, removal, shipping, storage, transport, or the like.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: The joint includes at least two profile elements having such a shape as to enable mutual engagement thereof as a male part and at least a female part, each being integral with one of the edges of two adjacent slabs. One edge of the slab is provided with a substantially L-shaped female profile, whose vertical stem extends all along the edge up to the sharp edge of the upper surface of the slab, and whose base stem extends towards the inner part of the slab and is downwardly folded to form a further stem, extending parallel to the base stem and forming a small space therebetween, for possible engagement of a part of the male profile.

Abstract: A formwork comprising a metal panel 11 having an upper portion 12, a lower portion 13 and a intermediate portion 14 displaced laterally out of the line of the panel 11, the portions 12 and 13 have spaced holes 15 through which reinforcing rods 16 project so that the ends of the reinforcing rods can be tied to similar rods in an adjacent slab to be poured in order to occupy the space at 17. A slab poured upon a timber deck 18 and the metal form provided by the panel 11 is retained in place by upright bracing rods 19 located at spaced intervals along the form 11 and passing through pairs of holes 20 and 21 in the intermediate section 14.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a dowel within a concrete slab is disclose. The apparatus comprises a substantially planar mounting flange that is used to mount the apparatus onto a wooden form, and a dowel guide that extends perpendicularly from the plane of the mounting flange.Together, the mounting flange and the dowel guide define a dowel passage that is aligned with a corresponding hole in the wooden form. The dowel passage allows a dowel to be slipped through the apparatus and through the hole in the form, and to extend into the region where the slab is to be poured. The invention allows dowels to be properly and consistently aligned before and during the pouring of a concrete slab.

Abstract: A portable bridge system formed from at least a pair of substantially rectangular bridge platforms positioned in side-by-side relationship including end locking plates for locking the platforms together at the end regions thereof. The invention further includes shear plates integral with, and spaced along, a side edge of the bridge platform for engagement with an adjacent bridge platform to resist transverse shear forces between adjacent bridge platforms.

Abstract: A method of constructing a paved surface such as a roadway in which piles (8) are placed in the ground (G) and preformed slabs (4) are laid over the piles (8) to form a continuous paved surface. The preformed slabs (4) may be short in length and may be supported at opposite ends by separate beams (6) which comprise the pile caps. In a preferred embodiment, suitable for the construction of an elevated roadway, the method further comprises the steps of supporting preformed structural elements 5, 15 on the piles 8 and supporting the preformed slabs 4 on the preformed structural element 5, 15. The preformed structural elements 5, 15 may be shaped so as to provide an open work structure. Preferably, the preformed structural elements 5, 15 comprise substantially V-shaped channels which are laid with their longitudinal axes at right angles to the longitudinal centrelines of the roadway 2, and with their flanges 14 directed downwards.

Abstract: For joining together two concrete slabs (1, 2) juxtaposed side by side along a crack (3), a cylindrical cartridge with vertical axis is used comprising two half shells (4.sub.1, 4.sub.2) made from cast metal and joined vertically together by a key (11) housed in recesses (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2) each formed in a central projecting step (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2), these half shells being urged mutually horizontally apart by a continuous elastic belt (12) made from an elastomer material adapted to ensure sealed isolation of the inside of the cartridge with respect to the outside.

Abstract: Expansion joints for concrete highways consisting of precast beams with preformed joints of expansion joint material. The beams are laid crosswise of a strip of highway before pouring the concrete and provide expansion joints which are not affected by the skill of the workmen.

Abstract: The element moulding consists of metal mesh and contains prepunched perforations. These perforations for the introduction of reinforcing bars are arranged in a row parallel to the longitudinal edge of the element moulding. When concreting the first stage the element moulding is buttressed unilaterally with wooden support elements. Before commencing the concreting of the second stage the wooden support elements are removed. The element moulding is used as sunken shuttering for both stages of the concrete structure. The erection of element moulding shuttering is easy and effortless; the bonding of both stages flawlessly effected.

Abstract: In order to improve load tranfers between concrete slabs in zones at which joints are provided between said slabs, an elongated connection member, formed in one piece is fitted in the joint over at least part of the height of the slabs, which connection member is substantially cylindrical, adapted to be deformed over its entire length by compression or by expansion in at least one direction of deformation perpendicular to its axis. The connection member is placed astride the location of the joint with its axis situated substantially in the plane of the joint. The opposite portions, located on either sides of the plane of the joint, of the peripheral surface of the connection member are adhesively connected to the surfaces of the slabs with which they are in contact so as to prevent any relative movement between the contacting portions of the connection member and of the slabs.

Abstract: A longitudinal joint is supported adjacent the paving form by a plurality of hangers, each of which includes an attaching portion for affixing to the paving form, thus obviating the need for chair supports or other known devices for supporting a longitudinal joint. Each of these hangers includes a support-holder portion extending at an acute angle with respect to the paving form, defining an angle for receiving a portion on the longitudinal joint. This both supports the joint vertically and restrains it against horizontal movement away from the paving form. In addition the longitudinal joint is modified so that the normal apertures for receiving the extension of the tie bar, instead of being formed in a flat surface of the joint, are provided in a plane substantially perpendicular to the length or axis of the joint.

Abstract: A highway joint system, and the method of forming the same, wherein bars are employed between adjacent concrete highway sections having obliquely disposed end joints imposing a biasing force upon the sections during the occurrence of section lateral displacement due to expansion. The joint system utilizes biasing bars which may employ torsion forces for realigning the highway sections after expansion thereof, and the system contemplates the utilization of a tongue and groove interconnection in conjunction with the bars to prevent "buckling" and other misalignment at concrete highway joints. A V-shaped divider plate is employed to define the tongue and groove relationship, and this plate supports the biasing bars, and is supported by a framework capable of releasable attachment to the bars.