the only way this could possibly do any good is by compression of a plate on either side of the plate with the hole in it and some friction force along the plate to plate contact that adds some strength to the contained plate. That is very iffy of course.
I’m assuming the PennDOT engineers are not stupid enough to count this for anything and so must assume something is missing from the article.
On the other hand, OklaDOT engineers were stupid enough or someone got big enough kick backs to cut three slots across each paving section in line with the two wheel tracks in each lane, put a rebar in each slot and then epoxy or even just concrete the bars in place. Wala, 12 new leak and fracture points in each slab. If somebody can explain the valid benefits of this apparent boondoggle I’m willing to listen.
Hmmm, I’ve seen that here. Just noted in passing, didn’t give it much of a thought...