Title: In-Service Performance Evaluation of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Joint Sealants

Author(s): Sylvester A. Kalevela, Lonnie D. Hendrix, Larry A. Scofield and Gerardo W. Flintsch

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 164

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 751-768

Keywords: Joints (junctions); joint sealers; portland cement; tests.

DOI: 10.14359/14326

Date: 11/1/1996

Abstract:
In July 1986, the Arizona Transportation Research Center coordinated the installation of a joint sealant test site near Flagstaff, on the southbound lanes of Interstate 17. The original project was constructed in 1974, with 8 inches of portland cement concrete pavement over 6 inches of cement treated base. The test site consisted of 200 transverse joints. The objective of the project was to evaluate the performance of five joint sealants: Dow Corning 888, Superseal 888, Allied Koch 9005, Crafco Roadsaver 231, and W.R. Meadows Sof-Seal. The highway sections abutting this test site were also rehabilitated and their pavement joints were sealed with Superseal 444 which, at that time, was a specified sealant in the Arizona Department of Transportation standards. Field evaluations of the joint sealants were conducted periodically. The final evaluation was conducted eight years after construction. The evaluations were based on: (i) sealant flexibility, (ii) length of joint with missing sealant, (iii) adhesive and cohesive failure of sealant, (iv) joint width and sealant depth, (v) joint spatting, (vi) sealant recess, (vii) structural tests made with a Falling Weight Deflectometer, and (viii) slab faulting. After about eight years of service, all five sealants had exhibited comparable performance level. Clearly, all test sealants performed better than Superseal 444.