The National Academy of Sciences has just released its most recent report titled “Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Joint Sealant Practices and Performance“. Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement joint sealing material technology has evolved in recent decades, and the effect of current joint sealant practice has not been well documented. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a standardized approach to joint sealant evaluation as well as to investigate the practice of joint sealant in PCC pavement design.
The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program‘s “NCHRP Synthesis 568: Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Joint Sealant Practices and Performance” compiled and documented information regarding the current state of practice of joint sealing PCC by state departments of transportation. The objective of this synthesis is to:
• Document current practices with concrete pavement joint sealant in new construction
• The maintenance protocols of existing joint sealants for concrete pavements
• The synthesis documents use of concrete pavement joint sealants
• Types of materials used for these sealants
• Construction methods
• Summarizes
– Use of data from AASHTO’s National Transportation Product Evaluation Program for concrete pavement joint sealant product approval
– Inspection and/or acceptance procedures
– Evaluation of long-term product performance
• Compiles issues surrounding concrete pavement joint sealant usage or effectiveness
– Water presence or movement
– Noise contributions
– Alternative methods being used in lieu of sealants
Information in this study was acquired through a review of the literature, a survey of representatives of state departments of transportation, and follow-up interviews that informed the development of six case examples regarding joint sealing practices for concrete pavements. Texas A&M Transportation Institute‘s Jinho Kim and Dan Zollinger collected and synthesized the information and wrote the report. To download a copy of the report, please go to: http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/182199.aspx