Evaluation of Joint Sealants of Concrete Pavements (187-27)

Project 0-187 task 15 continued investigative efforts of project 1371. The project completed laboratory tests including relaxation tests, bond-strength tests, and fatigue tests for various sealant materials, and also established a field test site of a variety of joint sealants to monitor performance. The researchers constructed a material behavior model based on finite-deformation viscoelasticity as a function of temperature, deformation, and age effects. They studied the correlation between natural and artificial weathering and proposed a sealant performance model. Based on this model, this report provides a procedure for estimation of the service life of a sealant in concrete pavement joints. Material and pavement engineers can use this procedure for design and maintenance purposes. This report also proposes a specification and a test protocol for joint sealant materials, which incorporate performance prediction procedure. The proposed guidelines can be verified and refined through continuous observation of the field test sections. The researchers of the project expect that application of the research products from this project will lead to an improved sealant selection process and reduced maintenance cost for concrete pavements.