| 20100054858 | SHEAR DOWEL ASSEMBLY - This invention relates to a shear dowel assembly for distributing loads between adjacent concrete slabs, separated by a joint. The shear dowel assembly includes a dowel sheath having a front face and a rear face. The rear face of the dowel sheath is imbedded within the first concrete slab, whereas the front face is left substantially flush with the side of said first concrete slab. The front face also has a portion defining an opening therein. There is also provided a shear dowel adapted to be inserted into the opening in the dowel sheath, with a first end of the shear dowel abutting the rear face of the dowel sheath, and a second end of the shear dowel extending out from the opening in the dowel sheath, whereby the shear dowel may be embedded within a second adjacent concrete slab to be poured. The shear dowel has a width of constant cross section, and is preferably trapezoidal (or in the shape of a trapezium) in plan view. The shear dowel assembly allows for increased differential movement of the adjacent concrete slabs, as the joint gap between the concrete slabs increases, whilst retaining the load carrying capacity of the shear dowel at all times. | 03-04-2010 |
