HIGH PERFORMANCE

DOWEL SYSTEMS
For concrete slabs and pavements

High Performance Dowel Systems •  •

Index
Why use high performance dowels?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Features and benefits of high performance dowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Diamond® Dowels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Square Dowels with Dowelmaster® sleeves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Plate Dowel Cradles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Square Dowel Cradles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Construction joint dowels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Contraction joint dowels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installation tolerances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Expansion joint load transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Companion Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Danley Head Office Prepared by Danley Construction Products Pty Ltd

21 Steel Place, Morningside Qld 4170 ABN 72 010 910 308.
PO Box 297, Cannon Hill Qld 4170
Phone: +61 7 3899 3466 Various products or systems shown in this brochure
Fax: +61 7 3899 1733 are covered by Australian and / or international
Email: sales@danley.com.au patents, or have patents pending, or are registered
Website: www.danley.com.au designs. Various marks in this brochure are registered
trademarks.

Dimensions and specifications are subject to change

Freecall: 1800 280 573 without prior notification by the manufacturer. All
dimensions are nominal.

Unless required by law Danley™ cannot accept any

responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence
New South Wales Sales & Distribution Office
resulting from the use of this publication. Photographs
2/34 Prime Drive, Seven Hills NSW 2147
Phone: +61 2 9838 4666 shown are representative only of typical applications,
Fax: +61 2 9620 8065 and are current as at March 2007.

The information in this brochure is copyright.

© Copyright 2007.

•  • High Performance Dowel Systems

Why use high performance dowels? High performance dowels for
Construction joints
Dowels are required at joints in concrete slabs to
transfer vertical loads across the joint and minimise
differential deflection between slabs under load.

Slabs shrink away from the corners during curing; this

shrinkage is diagonal from the intersection of joints,
not just perpendicular to the joint. Different concrete
batches will shrink at different rates, adjacent slabs
poured at different times shrink at different rates and
rapid shrinkage occurs during initial curing.
Diamond® Dowels Square Dowels with
Dowelmaster® sleeves

Joint
High performance dowels for
Contraction joints

In addition to allowing horizontal slab movement

perpendicular to the joint, high performance dowel
systems allow horizontal slab movement parallel to
the joint as well as being very efficient load transfer
devices, compared to other dowel systems, and
provide excellent vertical differential deflection
characteristics.

Plate Dowel Cradles Square Dowel Cradles (with

Dowelmaster® sleeves)

Features and benefits of high performance

dowels:

• Easy to use.
• Easy to set up.
• Sleeve configurations allow for horizontal slab
movement both perpendicular and parallel to joint.
• Dowels are a neat sliding fit within the appropriate
sleeves.
• All Danley dowels and dowel plates are saw-cut
from steel bar to AS/NZS 3679.1 Grade 300.
• Very efficient load / deformation capacity.
• Dowels or dowel plates available in black and gal-
vanised.
• Stainless steel dowels and dowel plates are also
available.
• Can be used at wider centres, reducing cost.

High Performance Dowel Systems •  •

DIAMOND® DOWELS
Features and benefits:
• Available with one-piece sleeves for both 6 mm and
10 mm Diamond® Dowels.
• Sleeves are colour coded:
w 6 mm are orange
w 10 mm are blue
• Ideal for perimeter-of-pour dowel applications, i.e. at
construction joints.
• No need to drill forms to support dowels during
concrete pour.
• Nailing flange provides secure attachment to form
boards.
• Flange on sleeve ensures dowel is perpendicular to
form board and is stable.
• Each sleeve is fitted with an internal spacer to prevent
collapse caused by pressure of concrete, but easily
displaced into the apex of the sleeve when inserting
the Diamond plate.
Diamond® Dowels at construction joints • Sleeves moulded from durable, non-compressible
material.
Diamond Plate Dowel
110 x 110 mm
• Sleeves fitted with double-headed nails - second head
on nail acts as an anchor to help retain the sleeve in
Plate 156 mm
Wide plate optimises
the concrete when stripping the form boards.
material where
stresses are highest
• Reduced likelihood of sleeve knock-off when placing
steel reinforcement mesh.
Sleeve allows for • Simplifies form removal.
slab shrinkage movement
• Dowel plates available in black and galvanised.
Sleeve and diamond shaped plate
• Stainless steel dowel plates are also available.
allows slab to shrink without being • Ergonomically designed, user-friendly packaging,
restrained by the Diamond Dowel Diamond Plate Dowel
complete kit and installation instructions.
• Wide dowel plate at point of maximum load reduces
stress on concrete.
Slab shrinkage
• Can be integrated into other formwork systems.
directions
Joint opens up due to
slab shrinkage

Packaging
Danley™ Diamond® Dowels are packaged in kit format, in
cartons that are illustrated with Installation Instructions.
Each carton contains 25 sets of 6 mm Diamond® Dowel
plates and one-piece sleeves [orange], or 15 sets of 10
mm Diamond® Dowel plates and one-piece sleeves
[blue]. Each sleeve is fitted with 2 double-headed steel
nails.

Diamond® Dowel Packaging

•  • High Performance Dowel Systems

Diamond® Dowel plastic sleeves after stripping the timber formwork on a typical driveway set up.

Dowel Thickness Product Code Finish Weight ea Installation instructions

[mm] [kg]
6 DDSLBPNEW06X110 Black 0.64
6 DDSLGPNEW06X110 Galvanised 0.65
10 DDSLBPNEW10X110 Black 0.99
10 DDSLGPNEW10X110 Galvanised 1.05
STEP 1: Mark the form for slab centre and Diamond®
Dowel spacing (typically 450 mm to 600 mm). Using
the 2 nails, attach the base to the form. Ensure nailing
plate is parallel to top of slab.

STEP 2: Place concrete. Edge of slab must be vibrated

to consolidate concrete around the Diamond® Dowel
sleeve (avoid contact with the sleeve with vibrator
shaft).

STEP 3: Strip the form. This is best accomplished by

starting at one end and working along the form.

Form boards with Diamond® Dowel sleeves attached.

HOW TO SPECIFY
STEP 4: Insert the Diamond® Dowel Plate into the
Specify: Danley™ Diamond® Dowel (dowel size) x
sleeve (at the centre point of sleeve) within 36 hours
(dowel spacing), (finish or material),
of concrete pour. The second pour can now be made.
e.g. Danley™ 6mm Diamond® Dowels at 450 mm
centres, galvanised.

High Performance Dowel Systems •  •

SQUARE DOWELS WITH
DOWELMASTER® SLEEVES
Features and benefits:
• Ideal for construction joints.
• Dowelmaster® sleeves available in 16 x 200 mm
and 20 x 250 mm sizes
• Square dowels available for both 16 mm and
20 mm Dowelmaster® sizes.
• Dowels available in black and galvanised.
• Stainless steel dowels are also available.
• Dowelmaster® sleeves supplied complete with
support stake and wedge.
• Dowelmaster® sleeves provide expansion joint
capability.
• No need to drill forms to support dowels during
concrete pour.
• Nailing plate provides secure attachment to form
boards.
• Flange on nailing plate ensures dowel is
perpendicular to form board and is stable.
• Square Dowels also available with Metal Square
Dowel Covers for 16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm square
dowels (must be specified at time of ordering).

A worker installs Dowelmaster® sleeves to timber formwork

ready for pour.

Danley’s Dowelmaster® sleeves allow square dowels

r sleeve
to move both parallel and perpendicular to the aste
elm Nailing plate
construction joint as the concrete slab shrinks during Dow
curing. Simply secure the sleeves to the construction
joint forms with the optional nailing plates, pour the
We
concrete, strip the forms and insert square dowels dge
into the sleeves ready for the second pour.
Adjustable stake
Dowelmaster® sleeve attached to timber formwork using a
nailing plate.

HOW TO SPECIFY
NOTE: Please contact Danley for details on the Square Specify: Danley™ Square Dowel (dowel size) x
Dowels with optional Metal Dowel Covers. (dowel length) x (dowel spacing) (dowel material)
with Dowelmaster® sleeve (and nailing plate),
e.g. Danley™ Square Dowel 20 mm x 400 mm
at 450 mm centres, galvanised with 20 mm
Dowelmaster sleeve and nailing plate.

•  • High Performance Dowel Systems

Dowelmaster®, Square Dowels and Installation instructions
Accessories
Note: 1. The project drawings will have specified the
Part Product Code Size Length Material or Weight dowel spacing required.
[mm] [mm] Finish ea [kg] 2. Each Dowelmaster® Nailing Plat has a flat
Dowelmaster® Sleeve [with wedge and steel stake] portion across the flange to assist in positioning.
SQDWMAST16MM 16 200 [1] Polypropylene 0.10
SQDWMAST20MM 20 250 [1] Polypropylene 0.11 STEP 1: At one end of the formboard, mark a point
Dowelmaster® Nailing Plate equal to one half of slab thickness – 32 mm (e.g. for
150 slab, mark the point 150/2 = 75 - 32 = 43 mm)
SQDWMASTNL16 16 n/a Polypropylene 0.01
down from the top of the formboard. Repeat at other
SQDWMASTNL20 20 n/a Polypropylene 0.02
end of formboard. Join both marks with a tight string
Square Dowels [Black] line. Mark position of the first dowel from the end
SQDWL16X400 16 400 Black Steel 0.81 of formboard, then mark the position of subsequent
SQDWL16X500 16 500 Black Steel 1.01 dowels along the string line. Place the first Nailing
SQDWL16X600 16 600 Black Steel 1.21 Plate at the first position and nail in place – 2 nails
SQDWL20X400 20 400 Black Steel 1.26 diagonally opposite each other should be adequate.
SQDWL20X500 20 500 Black Steel 1.57 Locate and nail in place subsequent Nailing Plates
(Fig 1).
SQDWL20X600 20 600 Black Steel 1.89
[2] SQDWL25X400 25 400 Black Steel 1.97 Step 2: Place the first Dowelmaster® sleeve over the
[2] SQDWL25X500 25 500 Black Steel 2.46 protruding tabs on the Nailing Plate (Fig 2), then push
[2] SQDWL25X600 25 600 Black Steel 2.95 the sleeve firmly against the back face of the Nailing
Plate (Fig 3). This will ensure wet concrete does not
Square Dowels [Galvanised]
seep into the sleeve.
SQDGAL16X400 16 400 HDG Steel 0.83
SQDGAL16X500 16 500 HDG Steel 1.04 Step 3: Insert the adjustable stake through the hole in
SQDGAL16X600 16 600 HDG Steel 1.25 the end of the first Dowelmaster® sleeve and hammer
SQDGAL20X400 20 400 HDG Steel 1.30 it into the ground making sure it is secure (Fig 4).
Break the wedge off the sleeve. Accurately level
SQDGAL20X500 20 500 HDG Steel 1.62
the sleeve and hold in place by inserting the wedge
SQDGAL20X600 20 600 HDG Steel 1.95
between the stake and the back end of the sleeve
[2] SQDGAL25X400 25 400 HDG Steel 2.03 (Fig 5). Repeat at last Dowelmaster® sleeve along the
[2] SQDGAL25X500 25 500 HDG Steel 2.53 formboard.
[2] SQDGAL25X600 25 600 HDG Steel 3.04
Step 4: Hammer a stake in at both ends of the
Notes: [1] Length of Dowelmaster® sleeves is nominal; actual formwork and run a string line across the entire length
sleeve is 10 mm longer to allow for expansion joint capability.
of the joint (Fig 6). Once you have the string line to
[2]. Dowels 25 mm square require a Metal Square dowel Cover
- consult Danley for details. the correct height you can adjust all of the remaining
[3] Stainless steel square dowels also available - specify when Dowelmaster® sleeves to the correct height and again
ordering lock them into place with stakes and wedges. (Fig 7).
[4] Other size square dowels and other lengths are available
- consult Danley for details.

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig 4 Fig 5

Dowelmaster® sleeves must be placed on the first-pour side

of the formboard. After the concrete has cured, remove the
formwork and the Nailing Plates and insert the appropriate
Danley Square Dowels into the Dowelmaster® sleeves before
the second concrete pour is made.
Fig 6 Fig 7

High Performance Dowel Systems •  •

PLATE DOWEL CRADLE
Features and benefits:
• Available for both 6 mm and 10 mm plate dowel
sizes.
• Available heights to suit slabs 100 to 300 mm thick.
• Sleeves are colour coded:
w 6 mm are orange
w 10 mm are blue
• Dowel plates are 300 mm long, dowel sleeves are
165 mm long.
• Dowel plates available in black and galvanised.
• Stainless steel dowel plates are also available.
• Ideal for sawn contraction joints.
• Supplied in 3 m lengths.
• Simple installation.
• Minimises set up time.
• Excellent deflection capabilities.

300 long dowel

Plastic sleeve

On set up, cut cross wire

Plate Dowel Cradle prior to pour.
Plate Dowel Cradle is available in 6 or 10 mm plate sizes.

Danley Plate Dowel Cradles are well suited for

contraction joints in concrete slabs and pavements.
As well as the Plate Dowel Cradle efficiently limiting
deflection, the 3 m long fabricated cradles ensure the
dowels are set at the exact height for the specified
slab thickness, and at precise spacing to minimize
installation time.

HOW TO SPECIFY
Specify: Danley™ Plate Dowel Cradle (dowel
size) x (dowel spacing) x (slab thickness) and
(dowel material),
e.g. Danley™ Plate Dowel Cradles 6 mm at
450 mm centres, for 150 mm slab, galvanised
dowels.

Cutting the cross wire at site.

•  • High Performance Dowel Systems

Typical set up of Plate Dowel Cradles and slab reinforcing prior to concrete pour (reinforcing mesh yet to be placed on bar chairs
at correct height)

Hold mesh back 75 - 150 mm Saw cut or Danley™ Crack-A-Joint®

Slab reinforcing

Plate Dowel Cradle Optional Ground Crack Inducer

Commonly available Plate Dowel Cradles Installation instructions

Product Code Dowel Size Dowel Slab Approx. Weight STEP 1: Mark the position of contraction joint with
[mm] Spacing Thickness [kg] string line or a paint line on the sub-grade (or on
[mm] [mm] top of poly sheet if used). If the Danley™ Ground
DCP6450125 6 X 50 450 125 8.4
Crack Inducer is to be used, place this directly over
the marked line, then place the first Danley Plate
DCP6450150 6 X 50 450 150 8.5 Dowel Cradle centrally over the marked line. Place
DCP6450175 6 X 50 450 175 8.6 the second Plate Dowel Cradle over the marked line,
DCP6450200 6 X 50 450 200 8.7 spacing the first dowel of the second cradle from the
DCP10450175 10 X 50 450 175 11.8 last dowel on the first cradle an equal distance to
the dowel spacing on the cradles. Place subsequent
DCP10450200 10 X 50 450 200 11.9
cradles similarly.
DCP10450250 10 X 50 450 250 12.1
DCP10500200 10 X 50 500 200 10.7 Step 2: Once the cradle is correctly positioned, cut
DCP10600150 10 X 50 600 150 9.4 the cross restraints to allow independent movement
of the two cradle halves contained within the adjacent
DCP10600200 10 X 50 600 200 9.5
concrete slabs.

Note: 1. Plate Dowel Cradles with other dowel spacings and for Step 3: Install the slab reinforcement mesh (if
other slab thicknesses are available as custom orders. specified) as directed by the slab designer.
2. Engineer to confirm exact requirements for projects.
3. Add postscript “G” to Product Code for galvanised dowels, Step 4: Pour the concrete as usual ensuring that
e.g. DCP10450200G concrete placement and minimum reinforcement
coverage is achieved as per slab design. Install Crack-
A-Joint® or saw cut as directed.
NOTE: When placing concrete, care should be taken
not to move the cradles, nor stand on them.

High Performance Dowel Systems •  •

SQUARE DOWEL CRADLES
Features and benefits:
• Available for both 16 mm and 20 mm square dowel
sizes.
• Available heights to suit slabs 100 to 300 mm thick.
• Dowel plates available in black and galvanised.
• Stainless steel dowel plates are also available.
• Supplied with Dowelmaster® sleeves as standard.
• Ideal for sawn contraction joints.
• High load capacities.
• Supplied in 3 m lengths
• Simple installation.
• Minimises set up time.
• Also available with Metal Dowel Covers for 16,
20, 25, 32 and 40 mm square dowels (must be
specified at time of ordering).

Square Dowel Cradles (with optional Ground Crack Inducer

under) set up prior to pouring concrete.

On set up, cut cross wires.

Danley Square Dowel Cradles are suitable for
contraction joints in concrete slabs and pavements.
The 3 m long fabricated cradles ensure the dowels are
set at the exact height for the specified slab thickness, HOW TO SPECIFY
and at precise spacing to minimise installation time. Specify: Danley™ Square Dowel Cradle (dowel
The standard range of 16 and 20 mm Square Dowel size) x (dowel length) x (dowel spacing) x (slab
Cradles with Dowelmaster® sleeves is supplemented thickness) and (dowel material),
by the availability of optional Square Dowel Cradles e.g. Danley™ Square Dowel Cradle 20 mm x
with Metal Dowel Covers for 16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm 400 mm at 450 mm centres for 200 mm slab,
square dowels. galvansied dowels.

NOTE: Please contact Danley for details on the

optional Square Dowel Cradles with Metal Square
Dowel Covers.
NOTE: When placing concrete, care should be taken
not to move the cradles, nor stand on them.

• 10 • High Performance Dowel Systems

Preparing for slab pour. Square Dowel Cradles set at contraction joint locations

Hold mesh back 75 - 150 mm Saw cut or Danley™ Crack-A-Joint®

Slab
reinforcing

Square Dowel Cradle Optional Ground Crack Inducer

Commonly available Square Dowel Cradles Installation instructions

[with Dowelmaster® sleeves] STEP 1: Mark the position of contraction joint with
Part Product Code Dowel Dowel Dowel Cradle string line or a paint line on the sub-grade (or on
Size Length Centres Weight top of poly sheet if used). If the Danley™ Ground
[mm] [mm] [mm] [kg] Crack Inducer is to be used, place this directly over
Square Dowel Cradles with black dowels [1]
the marked line, then place the first Danley Square
Dowel Cradle centrally over the marked line. Place
DCS16X400X300 [2] 16 400 300 9.2 the second Square Dowel Cradle over the marked
DCS16X400X450 [2] 16 400 450 9.9 line, spacing the first dowel of the second cradle from
DCS16X400X600 [2] 16 400 600 10.6 the last dowel on the first cradle a distance equal to
DCS20X400X300 [2] 20 400 300 12.4 the dowel spacing on the cradles. Place subsequent
cradles similarly.
DCS20X400X450 [2] 20 400 450 13.5
DCS20X400X600 [2] 20 400 600 14.6
Step 2: Once the cradle is correctly positioned, cut
Square Dowel Cradles with galvanised dowels [1] the cross restraints to allow independent movement
DCS16X400X300G [2] 16 400 300 9.5 of the two cradle halves contained within the adjacent
DCS16X400X450G [2] 16 400 450 10.3 concrete slabs.
DCS16X400X600G [2] 16 400 600 11.1
Step 3: Install the slab reinforcement mesh (if
DCS20X400X300G [2] 20 400 300 12.8
specified) as directed by the slab designer.
DCS20X400X450G [2] 20 400 450 14.0
DCS20X400X600G [2] 20 400 600 15.1 Step 4: Pour the concrete as usual ensuring that
Notes: [1] Square Dowel Cradles are fitted with DowelMaster® concrete placement and minimum reinforcement
sleeves as standard. coverage is achieved as per slab design. Install Crack-
[2] Thickness of slab MUST be specified A-Joint or saw cut as directed.
[3] Square Dowel Cradles with stainless steel dowels are also
available - specify when ordering.
[4] Other combinations of square dowel cradles are available
as special order.
[5] Square dowel cradles with Metal Dowel Covers can be
supplied as special orders.

High Performance Dowel Systems • 11 •

 Construction Joint Dowels
Load and deflection
Construction characteristics in 10 mm wide joints
joint dowels
Construction Joint Dowels
Load and deflection characteristics in 10 mm wide joints
Load and deflection characteristics in 10 mm wide joints
120 120
120
110 Recommended max. 120
110
In 40 MPa 10 mm DD deflection = 1.2 max.
mm
110 Recommended 110
100 10 mm DD 100
Slabs
In 40 MPa deflection = 1.2 mm
100 100
90 Slabs 90
90 90
[kN]

80 80

[kN]
S20
[kN]

80 10 mm DD 80

IV[kN]
S20
70
Load,IVIV

10 mm DD 70
70 70

Load,IV
Design Load,

60 60

Design Load,
60 60
50 66 mm
mm DD
DD 6 mm
mm DD
DD
50 6 50
Design

22 50

Design
42
42 kN
kN load
load
40
40 40
S20
S20
30
30 30
30
20 20
20 20
10 Deflection 10
10 1 225 mm slab 3 Deflection 10
0 1 225 mm slab = 0.75 mm 0
3 = 0.75 mm
0 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 0
100 150 200 250
Slab Thickness 300
[mm] 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5
Deflection 2.0 2.5
[mm]
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]

120 120
Recommended max
110 110
120 In 32 MPa deflection = 1.2 mm 120
100 10 mm DD 100
Slabs Recommended max
110 110
90 In 32 MPa deflection = 1.2 mm 90
IV [kN]

10 mm DD

IV [kN]
100 100
80
80 Slabs
90 10 mm DD 90
70 70
V [kN]

V [kN]
DesignILoad,

80
60 80
60 DesignILoad,
S20 10 mm DD
6 mm DD 50
70
70
50
6 mm DD
Design Load,

Design Load,

40
60 40
60
S20 S20
30
50 6 mm DD 30
50
20 6 mm DD 20
40 40
10 S20 10
30 30
0 0
20 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 20
10 Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm] 10
0 0
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]

• 12 • High Performance Dowel Systems

 Construction joint dowels

120 120

110 Recommended max 110

deflection = 1.2 mm
In 25 MPa 100
100
Slabs
90 90
10 mm DD
Design Load, IV [kN]

80 80

Design Load, IV [kN]

10 mm DD
70 70

60 60
S20
50 6 mm DD 50

40 40
6 mm DD S20
30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]

LEGEND:
LEGEND: denotes dowels at 600 mm centres
denotes dowels
denotes at 600
dowels atmm
450 centres
mm centres
denotes dowels at 450 mm centres
denotes dowels at 300 mm centres
10 mm DD denotes
= 10 mmdowels at 300
Diamond® mm centres
Dowel [with sleeve]
10 mm DD 6=mm
10 mm Diamond ®
Dowel [with sleeve]
DD = 6 mm Diamond® Dowel [with sleeve]
6 mm DD = 6 mm Diamond® Dowel [with sleeve]
S20 = 20 mm Square Dowel with either DowelMaster® sleeve or metal dowel cover
S20 = 20 mm Square Dowel with either Dowelmaster® sleeve or metal dowel cover
HOW TO USE MONOGRAMS:
HOW TO USE MONOGRAMS:
1 Select slab thickness, and project line upwards.
1 Select slab thickness, and project line upwards.
2 Select applied load to be transferred across joint, and project horizontal line across both
graphs.
2 Select applied load to be transferred across joint, and project horizon line across both graphs.
3 Where line 2 crosses preferred dowel deflection curve, project line downwards to determine
3 Where line 2 crosses preferred dowel deflection curve, project line downwards to determine predicted
predicted deflection.
deflection.
NOTES:
1. Design Loads [IV] include I = 0.6 for fixings in accordance with AS 3600 Table 2.3.(j) for loads controlled
NOTES:
by
1. concrete;
Design loadsor I[f=V]0.9 in accordance
include f = 0.6 for with ASin4100
fixings Table 3.4
accordance withfor
ASloads controlled
3600 Table 2.3. (j)by
forsteel
loadsstrength.
controlled by
2. Dataconcrete;
for 20 mm or fSquare
= 0.9 inDowels and with
accordance 6 mm ASDiamond Dowels
4100 Table 3.4 for is based
loads on testing.
controlled Data
by steel for 10 mm
strength.
Diamond
2. Data forDowels
20 mmisSquare
approximated.
Dowels and 6 mm Diamond® Dowels is based on testing. Data for 10 mm Diamond®
3. Design Loads
Dowels apply to concrete strength at dowel for that particular slab thickness.
is approximated.
4. DO NOT USE THESE
3. Design loads MONOGRAMS
apply to concrete strengthFOR atSLAB
dowel DESIGN.
for that particular slab thickness.
4. DO NOT
5. Deflection USE THESE MONOGRAMS
characteristics are based on FOR SLABproperties
dowel DESIGN. and are not influenced by slab thickness,
5. Deflection
concrete strengthcharacteristics are based on dowel properties and are not influenced by slab thickness, concrete
or dowel spacing.
strength
6. Contact Danley or dowel spacing.on load capacities for other joint widths, other dowel spacings and other
for guidance
concrete strengths. guidance on load capacities for other joint widths, other dowel spacings and other concrete
6. Contact Danley for
strengths.

High Performance Dowel Systems • 13 •

 Contraction Joint Dowels
Load and deflection
Contraction characteristics in 10 mm wide joints
joint dowels
Contraction
Load Joint characteristics
and deflection Dowels in 10 mm wide joints
Load and deflection characteristics in 10 mm wide joints
80 80
S20 Recommended max
80 In 40 MPa 80
70 deflection = 1.2 mm 70
Slabs S20 Recommended max
In 40 MPa 10mm
mm
70 deflection = 1.2 70
Slabs 10 mm Plate D
60 10 mm 60
Plate
10 mm D
60 Plate D 60
[kN][kN]

Plate D

[kN]
50 50

[kN]
IV IV

50 2 50

Design Load, IV IV
Load,

Design Load,
40 40
Load,

40 S20 40
S20
Design
Design

30 30
30 6 mm Plate D 30
6 mm Plate D
20
20 20
20
66mm
mm
10
10 Plate
PlateDD 10
10
Deflection
Deflection
11 225
225 mm
mm slab
slab 33
00 ==1.15
1.15mm
mm
00
100 150 200 250 300 350 400
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]

80 80
Recommended max
80
In 32 MPa S20 80
deflection = 1.2max
Recommended mm
70
S20 70
Slabs
In 32 MPa deflection = 1.210
mmmm
70 10 mm 70
60 Slabs Plate D 10 mmD
Plate
60
10 mm
Plate D

Design Load,IV [kN]

Plate D
IV [kN]

60 60
50 50
Design Load,IV [kN]
IV [kN]

50
Load, Load,

50
40 40
S20
DesignDesign

40
30 40
30
6 mm Plate D S20
20
30 20
30
6 mm
6 mm Plate D Plate D
10 10
20 20
6 mm
0 Plate D 0
10100 150 200 250 300 350 400 10
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm]
Deflection [mm]
0 0
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm]
Deflection [mm]

• 14 • High Performance Dowel Systems

 Contraction joint dowels

80 80
Recommended max
S20 deflection = 1.2 mm
In 25 MPa
70 70
Slabs 10 mm 10 mm
Plate D Plate D
60 60
Design Load, IV [kN]

Design Load, IV [kN]

50 50

40 40
S20

30 30
6 mm Plate D
20 20
6 mm
Plate D
10 10

0 0
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Slab Thickness [mm] Deflection [mm]

LEGEND:
LEGEND: denotes dowels at 600 mm centres
denotes dowelsdowels
denotes at 600 at
mm centres
450 mm centres
denotes dowels at 450 mm centres
denotes dowels at 300 mm centres
denotes dowels at 300 mm centres
10 mm Plate D = 10 mm Plate Dowel cradles
10 mm Plate D = 10 mm Plate Dowel cradles
6 mm Plate D = 6 mm Plate Dowel cradles
6 mm Plate D = 6 mm Plate Dowel cradles
S20 = 20 mm Square Dowel cradles with either DowelMaster® sleeve or metal dowel cover
S20 = 20 mm Square Dowel cradles with either DowelMaster® sleeve or metal dowel cover
HOW TO USE MONOGRAMS:
HOW TO USE MONOGRAMS:
1 Select slab thickness, and project line upwards.
1 Select slab thickness, and project line upwards.
2 Select applied load to be transferred across joint, and project horizontal line across both
graphs.
2 Select applied load to be transferred across joint, and project horizontal line across both graphs.
3 Where line 2 crosses preferred dowel deflection curve, project line downwards to determine
3 Where line 2 crosses preferred dowel deflection curve, project line downwards to determine predicted
predicted deflection.
deflection.
NOTES:
1. Design Loads [IV] include I = 0.6 for fixings in accordance with AS 3600 Table 2.3.(j) for loads controlled
NOTES:
1. by concrete;
Design Loadsor I =include
[fV] 0.9 in accordance with in
f = 0.6 for fixings AS 4100 Table
accordance 3.4ASfor
with loads
3600 controlled
Table 2.3.(j) forby steelcontrolled
loads strength.
2. Data for 20 mm Square Dowels, 6 mm and 10 mm Plate Dowels is based on testing.
by concrete; or f = 0.9 in accordance with AS 4100 Table 3.4 for loads controlled by steel strength.
3.2.Design Loads
Data for 20 mm apply
Squareto concrete
Dowels, 6strength
mm and at 10dowel for that
mm Plate particular
Dowels is basedslab thickness.
on testing.
4.3.DO NOTLoads
Design USE apply
THESE MONOGRAMS
to concrete strengthFOR SLAB
at dowel forDESIGN.
that particular slab thickness.
5.4.Deflection
DO NOT USE characteristics
THESE MONOGRAMSare basedFOR onSLAB
dowel properties and are not influenced by slab thickness,
DESIGN.
concrete strength or dowel spacing.
5. Deflection characteristics are based on dowel properties and are not influenced by slab thickness,
6. Contact
concreteDanley
strengthfororguidance on load capacities for other joint widths, other dowel spacings and other
dowel spacing.
concrete strengths.
6. Contact Danley for guidance on load capacities for other joint widths, other dowel spacings and other
concrete strengths.

High Performance Dowel Systems • 15 •

Installation tolerances
It is vital that the dowels be placed: 3. Embedment depth – 1/2 x specified length of
• In the centre of the slab the dowel +/- 25 mm e.g for 300 mm long dowel,
• Evenly spaced along the joint embedded length in each slab = 150 mm +/- 25 mm.
The centre line of Plate Dowel and Square Dowel
• At the correct depth of embedment
Cradles must be positioned on the line of the sawcut
• Parallel to the top surface +/- 25 mm. Diamond® Dowel plates should be fully
• Square to the face of the joint inserted into the sleeve. Square Dowels should be
inserted into the Dowelmaster® sleeves for 1/2 the
specified length +0, - 25 mm – this allows for up to
Misalignment of dowels will result in inferior
10 mm of expansion capability for the longest dowel
performance of dowelled joints, will frequently cause
appropriate for the Dowelmaster® sleeve.
premature failure of the surrounding concrete under
loads much smaller than design loads, or lock up
4. Parallel to top face of the slab – nailing plates
joints rendering the dowels ineffective and initiating
should be securely fastened to the form boards, and
unplanned cracks.
the form boards must be square to the face of the
concrete. For Diamond® Dowels, one end of the
Placement using the following tolerances will
nailing plate to be no more than 3 mm higher than
ensure the optimum performance of dowels and the
the other end. For Plate Dowel Cradles and Square
surrounding concrete.
Dowel Cradles, the sub-grade must be smooth and
parallel to the intended top face of the slab. If the
1. Location - 1/2 x slab thickness +/- 5% of slab
dowel is severely misaligned and not parallel to the
thickness e.g. for 200 mm thick slab, location is 100
top edge of the slab, the misaligned dowel could
mm +/- 10 mm from top of slab. This positions the
restrict the slabs from moving parallel to each other.
dowel in the most effective location in the concrete,
maximising shear load transfer.
5. Perpendicular to the face of the dowel joint - the
top of the sleeve at the extreme end should be no
more than 3 mm higher or lower than the face of
Slab Position the sleeve behind the nailing flange. For cradles, the
thickness = 100mm top face of the dowel at one end should be no more
= 200mm 10mm than 3 mm higher or lower than the other end of the
adjacent dowels. Misalignment here can severely
restrict joint opening during concrete curing and lead
to failure of the concrete surrounding the dowels, or
2. Spacing – specified pitch +/- 5% e.g. for 450 pitch,
unplanned cracking of the slab remote from the joints.
tolerance is +/- 22 mm.

Expansion joint load transfer

Square dowels, when used with Dowelmaster® sleeves, have 10 mm expansion capability built into the sleeves.
Expansion capabilities greater than 10 mm can be achieved by reducing the depth of embedment of the square
dowel in the Dowelmaster® sleeve. A compressible filler should be used between adjacent slabs.

Diamond® Dowels can also be used in expansion joints if the dowel plates are first inserted to full depth then
pulled back a distance equal to the anticipated expansion. A compressible filler should be used between
adjacent slabs.

Plate Dowel Cradles and Square Dowels Cradles are not normally appropriate for expansion joint conditions.

• 16 • High Performance Dowel Systems

 Research
A Queensland University of Technology research
program on different dowel systems, funded by
Danley Construction Products, confirmed the Edge of concrete Rese
efficiency of Diamond® Dowels, Plate Dowels and Finite
Square Dowels compared to other dowelling systems. Zone of highest stress Diam
Over 90 test blocks 1m square x 150 mm thick were stress
cast with different types of dowels spanning 10 mm the de
joints. Some blocks 225 mm thick were also cast.
Each test block was instrumented to record load and A Que
deflection while being loaded to failure. resea
funde
The engineering design data presented on pages 12
Edge of concrete
to 15 of this brochure has been developed from the
Research confir
data generated by this research program, combined Finite-element analysis of onecomp
hal
block
with analysis methods contained in documents
referenced byZone of Standard
Australian highest ASstress
3600-2001, and Diamond Dowel indicates thatwith
ther
Each
additional tools such as finite-element analysis. stresses are located at approxima
load a
The loading and deflection data presented in the the depth of embedment. failure
monograms on pages 12 to 15 recognises eight m
m
0
variables that need to be considered when designing 11
for load transfer. These are: A Queensland University of Techn
• Construction joint or sawn contraction joint
• Load to be transferred research program on different dow
• Concrete slab thickness funded by Danley Construction
Approx 1/6th
of embedment
of depth Pr
• Concrete compressive strength
confirmed the efficiency of Diamo
• Joint width
• Dowel type compared to other systems. Over The r
have
• Dowel spacing blocks
Stress
1m square x 150 mm thick are su
• Dowel deflection
with round, square, plate and Diam defor
syste
Additionally, the following observations have been Each test block was
Distance from joint
instrumented
made:
• Diamond® Dowels and Plate Dowels have
load and deflection before being Baselo
Diam
superior load carrying capacity and are efficient at failure. than o
minimising differential deformation.
m there
m that the optimum spacing
• Failure patterns indicate
110
of dowels is approximately 3 times the slab
thickness for slabs in the 150 to 225 mm range. So Comparison of Dowel Perform
Note. Deflection data is for joint
for 150 slabs, the most efficient spacing is 450 mm. 80
• Close spacing of dowels (e.g. at 300 mm centres) 10 mm Diamond Dowels
reduces the capacity of the adjacent concrete to 70 [approximated]

absorb the loads generated by the dowels. 6 mm Diamond Dowels

• Finite elementApprox
analysis 1/6th of that
has shown depth
maximum
60

stresses on aof embedment

loaded Diamond® Dowel are 50
10 mm Plate Dowels

located at approximately 1/6th of the depth of

Load [kN]

embedment. 40

The research
30
determined that Dia
tress have very20efficient load carrying c 6 mm Plate Dowels

are superior
10 in minimising differen
deformation
0 when compared to ot
systems. 0 1 2 3
Deflection [mm]

Distance from joint High Performance Dowel Systems • 17 •

Companion products

Crack-A-Joint® Metal Dowel Covers

As an option to saw cutting, place Crack-A-Joint® into Metal Dowel Covers are normally used with square
the wet concrete along the joint line (above the Plate dowels in situations where slab shrinkage parallel to
Dowel Cradles or Square Dowel Cradles), to induce the joint is expected to be greater than the +/- 5 mm
a crack for the full depth of the concrete. Available allowed by Dowelmaster® sleeves. Can be substituted
in 3 m long lengths, formed from galvanised steel in for Dowelmaster® sleeves at construction joints,
heights of 25 and 45 mm. Can be supplied with Rip-A- and can be used on Square Dowel Cradles. Are also
Strip® capping in 4 colours. appropriate for larger size square dowels.

Ground Crack Inducer Keyjoint

An inverted V-shaped PVC extrusion 3 m long Danley’s Dowelmaster® sleeves and square dowels
available in 25 and 50 mm heights, it is positioned may be used with Danley’s preformed metal Keyjoint
on the sub-grade before the Plate Dowel Cradles profiles, to combine the performance of square
or Square Dowel Cradles are placed. Produces a dowels with the efficiency of 3 m or 6 m long stay-in-
weakening in the slab that initiates a crack in the slab place forming system for slabs 100 to 250 mm thick.
from the bottom up. Ground Crack Inducer should Keyjoint is formed from galvanized steel, secured with
only be used when Crack-A-Joint® is used, or when unique stakes that provide adjustability during set-up,
saw cuts are to be made in the slab on the same day and is available with PVC capping.
as the slab is poured.

• 18 • High Performance Dowel Systems

Frequently asked questions about dowel joints in concrete slabs

1. What is the connection between concrete 2. Why not space dowels as closely as possible
shrinkage, joints in concrete slabs, and dowels? – the more steel the better, right?
• Chemical reactions begin as soon as concrete has • No, there are two factors to consider; the ability
been poured, and the concrete begins to gain of the concrete surrounding the dowel to
strength. During the first few hours of curing, rapid accommodate the loads, as well as the strength
strength build-up and the natural tendency of and stiffness of the steel in the dowel.
concrete to shrink creates stresses in the concrete. • In almost all circumstances, the loads applied on a
• Shrinking during curing is the main cause of slab will be distributed onto two or more dowels.
cracking in concrete, and concrete will crack • If dowels are closely spaced, the shear cones
wherever a defect is present. developed in the concrete that resist the loads will
• Good work practices such as protecting the pour intersect neighbouring shear cones, reducing the
from wind or high temperatures by having walls overall capacity of the concrete in the region of the
and roofs in place prior to pouring, well-trained, loaded dowels.
well-equipped and adequately sized paving crews, • In relatively thin slabs, it has been shown by
and controlled curing will help minimise cracking physical testing that the optimum dowel spacing
problems. to maximise concrete capacity is at least 3 times
• Deliberately placing defects (e.g. saw cutting the the thickness of the slab (e.g. in a 150 slab, space
slab) will result in controlled cracks. the dowels at least 450 mm apart). So the further
• Relieving the stresses built up during curing as apart the dowels are, the more load that can be
early as possible by making the saw cuts as soon as absorbed by the concrete in the region of the load.
practical after the concrete pour. • However, it is also necessary to check that the
• Joints [as well as uncontrolled cracks] will continue strength of the steel in the dowel has not been
to open up for months after a slab has been exceeded.
poured. • And finally, there is a point where the deflection
• When vehicles or equipment travel from one slab capacity of the steel in the dowel may be the
over a joint onto the adjacent slab, dowels assist in limiting factor – both the concrete and the steel
distributing the stresses from the loaded slab into in the dowels may be strong enough, but the
the adjacent slab – this is sometimes called load flexibility of the dowel may exceed appropriate
transfer or shear transfer across the joint. differential deflections between adjacent slabs.
• Appropriate dowels sharing the loads adjacent
to or travelling over joints enhances the life and 3. Why not carry steel through the joint?
durability of the slab or pavement. • If reinforcing mesh is not cut at the joint line, it will
• And finally, appropriate dowels provide a smooth hinder the natural shrinkage of the concrete; but
transition for the wheels of equipment travelling more importantly, the mesh has very little capacity
across the joint. to assist with load transfer across the joint.
• If reinforcing bars cross the joint, they will prevent
the contraction joint from activating, and also do
not have sufficient strength to provide adequate
load transfer.

High Performance Dowel Systems • 19 •

Setting up Plate Dowel Cradles and reinforcing mesh prior to a Close-up view during concrete placement. Note the cut cross
pour. wire and the reinforcing mesh supported on chairs (not on the
cradles).

First-pour slab on right with Diamond® Dowels

sleeves cast in and dowel plates in place for
second pour. At left, form board with dowel
sleeves attached, ready for concrete pour.

Finishing a freshly
placed slab, and
saw cutting the
contraction joins with
an early-entry saw.

Danley Head Office New South Wales

21 Steel Place, Morningside Qld 4170 Sales & Distribution Office
PO Box 297, Cannon Hill Qld 4170 2/34 Prime Drive, Seven Hills NSW 2147
Phone: +61 7 3899 3466 Phone: +61 2 9838 4666
Fax: +61 7 3899 1733 Fax: +61 2 9620 8065
Email: sales@danley.com.au
Website: www.danley.com.au
Freecall: 1800 280 573

• 20 • High Performance Dowel Systems