Characterization of Emulsion Wax Curing Agent as Bond-Breaker Medium in Jointed Concrete Pavement

Abstract

Bond-breaker media have been used with success to reduce and minimize undesirable cracks reflecting from cement-treated or lean-concrete subbases (LCSs). The common bond-breaking media include (1) emulsion slurry seal; (2) 30 to 60-mm-thin asphalt concrete; (3) one or two applications of wax-based curing compounds; (4) one or two layers of polyethylene sheets; and (5) geotextile. The cost differences among different bond-breaking media are significant for a highway project over 200 km long. Different types of tests (British pendulum friction, push off, pullout, and torsion) were performed to determine the cost-effectiveness of bond-breaking media. It was found that the bond stress had been reduced by approximately 90% when either emulsion wax curing compound (EWCC) or emulsion slurry seal was used. The results from the British pendulum, push-off, pullout, torsion, and cost analyses indicate that EWCC is the most cost-effective bond-breaker medium. Based on the observations from the laboratory testing and field trial section, the EWCC application rate was selected at