Performance Evaluation of Joint and Crack Sealants in Cold Climates Using DSR and BBR Tests

Abstract

Joint sealants are used widely in Canada to protect pavements from infiltration of water and incompressible materials. Sealants are typically selected based on field studies, which are commonly repeated on a 10-year cycle. This paper examines a laboratory evaluation method based on two laboratory tests that are commonly used for testing asphalt binders: dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). Creep stiffness, rate of change in creep stiffness, and rate of change in complex shear modulus with temperature were used to evaluate sealant performance in cold climates. A sealant ranking system was proposed based on the calculation of a sealant index, which combines the proposed evaluation criteria. This method can potentially provide a cost-effective and rapid alternative to field studies. Eight hot-pour sealants were evaluated using this method. Results were verified from an ongoing field study that started in 2004. A good correlation was found between the proposed simplified evaluation method and the existing method.