FIELD EVALUATION OF THREE JOINT SEALANTS. FINAL REPORT

A field study was conducted to evaluate the performance of three joint sealants: (1) a compartmented (A), (2) a closed cellular (B) preformed neoprene, and (3) a two-component cold-mixed polysulfide (C). These were used in the interchanges for Interstate 64 near Charlottesville. The condition of the sealants and joints was observed and the extent of the failures was estimated during a preliminary survey; the specific types of failure were either measured or were documented photographically during the detailed surveys. The following conclusions were reached: 1. The neoprene sealants far out performed the polysulfide sealant. 2. The polysulfide sealant probably failed because of compression set. 3. In addition, based on observations of the condition of the slabs relative to the condition of the sealants, it was concluded that the particles in the joints caused more distress by contributing to the loss of load transfer than by causing any damage such as spalling. 4. The lack of confinement near the expansion joints and the open ends of the ramps permit one-way movement of the slabs which contributes to the loss of load transfer and the discrete functioning of the slabs so that they break up under heavy loads. Four recommendations were made.

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• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/19158
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903

  Virginia Department of Highways

  Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Noble, D F
• Publication Date: 1987-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 34 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Failure analysis; Field studies; Joint sealers; Load transfer; Neoprene; Performance evaluations; Polysulfides; Sealing compounds
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00472195
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VA-87/18, VTRC 87-R18
• Contract Numbers: 2251
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1987 12:00AM