In expansion joints why are plastic sleeve normally used in dowel bars instead of debonding agent?

The purpose of plastic sleeve or debonding agent around dowels bars in expansion joints is to minimize the frictional resistance between the bar and its surrounding concrete. This is the reason why plain round bars are usually used instead of deformed bars which provide mechanical interlock with concrete and hence it hinders the free movement of the dowel bar.

Both bituman-based paint (debonding agent) and plastic sleeve could serve the purpose of reducing friction between dowel bar and surrounding concrete. From practical point of view, the use of plastic sleeve (e.g. PVC dowel sleeve) around dowel bars can well prepared off-site and manufactured well in advance, thus saving the time of construction.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

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