Caracterisation de goujons de polymeres renforces de fibres de verre (PRFV) pour les dalles de chaussee jointees

Joints are used in concrete pavements to control cracking due to thermal and environmental conditions.;Steel dowels are commonly used in Quebec to transfer load in concrete pavements from one slab to an adjacent slab providing vertical and horizontal alignment. In the north of America (particularly in Quebec), concrete pavements are however displayed on very harsh environmental conditions favouring the corrosion of the steel dowels and the deterioration of the slab joints. Corrosion of steel dowels is aggravated by the application of de-icing salts causing severe deteriorations of concrete due to the expansion of steel during the corrosion process.;Corrosion of steel dowels in concrete pavement reduces their useful service life and creates considerable maintenance and repair expenditures and also consequences to traffic and users. In attempt to reduce the effect of de-icing salts on dowels, epoxy coated steel dowels are used. Small defects during handling inevitably occur in the epoxy coat and corrosion remains a problem. Stainless steel dowels are a corrosion-free solution but remain expansive. Therefore a better solution must be found.;Glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowel bars are a possible maintenance-free and non corrosive alternative that will potentially reduce the overall life cycle cost and extending the service life of the concrete pavements.;The project proposes laboratory tests in order to determine the short- and long-term behaviour and properties of GFRP dowel bars and to develop a design methodology for their use in concrete pavements.;The GFRP dowels are manufactured by the company Pultrall Inc. in Thetford Mines (Quebec, Canada). Two types of resins will be used: vinylester and polyester for diameters sizes from 1 in to 1 3/4 in.;Keywords: concrete pavement, dowelled slab, jointed concrete pavement, GFRP dowel, durability, steel corrosion.