Some baskets provide more restraint than intended. If the cross wires are spaced too closely, they don't break after placement to allow movement. Cut wires after anchoring the baskets if necessary.

Drilled dowels suffer from misalignment unless careful inspection is carried out during drilling. Using a drill guide is preferred. If you use a guide and inspect the process, drilled dowels work well. One item that is often neglected in both applications is the addition of a compressible material at the end of the slip side of the dowel.

Both can have issues. I've seen dowel bars in baskets with bad alignment and dowel bars with drill and epoxy with bad alignment. The benefit of the dowel basket system is that you can inspect it prior to concrete pour and make any corrections. If the Contractor uses a proper gang drill intended for drilling dowels in pavement then the results can be very good. Engineers form judgement about certain systems or methodologies in their career that causes them to be biased (many times with them never revisiting the issue even after the industry has made changes). Perhaps this Engineer is adament about Drill and Epoxy dowels but perhaps they just grabbed those standard details and specs from another project and actually don't have a preference. I personally, would see nothing wrong with using dowel baskets, but ultimately you will need to get that substitution request approval from the EOR.

I hear what Ron is saying, but I guess I have a hard time believing that the cross wires provide too much restraint that wouldn't be overcome by the shrinkage forces.

Ron,

Can you elaborate more on the "a compressible material at the end of the slip side of the dowel". How it looks, and its function?

Okiryu - The info you have provided speaks volumes:

Placing the dowels just below the center of the slab seems odd to me and is a strong hint that the Engineer wants to squeeze in a rebar mat, probably just above the dowels. In a "thin", 200 mm slab, considering top and bottom rebar/dowel cover requirements, there is not much room remaining for rebar mat vertical construction tolerance.

If my "guess" is right, I see two outcomes:
Note: If my "guess" is wrong, I don't mind "eating crow".

Numerous interferences between the drilled holes and rebar mat. In that case, both 110mm vertical distance and the 300mm dowel spacing become a "best efforts" goal, not an enforceable requirement. May be a few "cracked" slabs along the way by attempting to drill holes at precise (but impractical) locations.

The other outcome... Contractor successfully places the rebar mat as intended and there are no drilled hole interferences.
If the Contractor can do that, he can also set dowel cages correctly and place concrete without disturbing the dowels... saving much time, trouble, risk, and the Owner's money.

Suggest taking the steps to get drill/epoxy changed to dowel baskets.
As for the reason why drill/epoxy was specified... IMHO, the designer does not significant experience with dowels and is overly impressed with a "neat" drawing, where everything fits perfectly.

www.SlideRuleEra.net

I haven't seen an attempt to drill in dowels in slab edges, but can see lots of difficulties. Dowel cages are accepted practice, and with care can achieve the desired result. Be careful about dowels too close to the end, as shrinkage parallel to the joint can break the corners. Square dowels with compressible sides, or diamond shaped plate dowels alleviate that problem.

@retired13...I specify a 1/2-3/4 inch piece of foam stuck to the end of the slip side of the dowel. It is the same diameter as the dowel. Styrofoam rods of the same diameter as the dowel can be quickly cut into the little button on the end.

In most instances, the concrete will shrink away from the dowel as it cures. For most areas, the dowels do not expand from heat; however, the concrete does and can push the dowel. In some areas, the pavement heats up to the point that this occurs. The other advantage is that the end of the dowel does not bond to the concrete (I've inspected dowels that were greased all around except the end).

Perhaps its an unnecessary precaution, but I specify it anyway

Ron,

Never thought about it, a simple and sure way the dowel will perform properly. Thanks.