Dowel Bar Retrofit—40 Years of Rebuilding Roads to Last

As more states seek ways to repair aging concrete pavements,

DBR has become the go-to solution when long-lasting, cost-effective repairs are desired.

Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) is a valuable tool in the concrete pavement preservation toolbox. It is used to restore load transfer across joints and cracks. The process involves placing steel bars in saw-cut slots to link adjoining slabs, helping reduce faulting, pumping and corner breaks in portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP). When properly constructed, retrofitted pavements can last well over 20 years.

First implemented in Washington as a production operation in 1992, today DBR is broadly recognized as a highly effective solution for long-term pavement repair, with more than 8 million dowel bars installed internationally.

Watch the video to learn more about how DBR works and how to install it, as well as more about the technique’s history.

Dowel Bar Retrofit: the ideal long-lasting, cost-effective way to repair aging concrete pavements

Hear what experts have to say about DBR:

IGGA Interview on Dowel Bar Retrofit with Linda Pierce, Nichols Consulting Engineers

Linda Pierce, Principal Engineer, Nichols Consulting Engineers

Dr. Pierce spent many years as an engineer at the Washington Department of Transportation and has completed research that makes her one of the foremost experts on DBR.

Interview with Brent Burwell, Executive Director, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter ACPA

Brent Burwell, civil engineer and Executive Director, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter of the American Concrete Pavement Association

As Assistant Division Engineer for Maintenance at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Mr. Burwell has helped the state achieve success using DBR to preserve and restore its concrete pavements.

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