Composite Dowels for Bridges: Trends and Challenges for New European Design Rules

Abstract

The introduction of composite dowels (CDs) in Europe at the beginning of the last decade led to the creation of new forms of composite bridges in which a T‐profile is used instead of an I‐beam. Both the construction and design methods are new [4]. Experiences from the construction of new bridges and discussion between the authors lead to new significant conclusions, which should be included in the new European approval (CEN‐TS). The problem of design formulas for concrete dowels is presented.