Evaluation of Longitudinal Joint Construction Techniques for Asphalt Pavements in Tennessee

Abstract

Longitudinal joints between lanes of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements are commonly susceptible to moisture damage and other failures. In 2006, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) identified longitudinal joint failure as one of the major distresses for local HMA pavements. It was determined necessary to evaluate available practices and technologies to reduce longitudinal joint failure. This paper presents the results from a field project in Tennessee constructed with seven different longitudinal joint construction techniques. These techniques could be divided into three major categories: joint adhesives including an anionic emulsion and a polymerized emulsion commonly used by the TDOT, a hot-applied high-polymer rubber, and a high-polymer emulsion; joint sealers including a polymerized maltene emulsion and a polymerized agricultural oil; and infrared joint heater. Laboratory tests were conducted on the field cores taken from the test sections constructed with these techniques. Based on the different mechanisms of these techniques, the following laboratory tests were employed: air void content, permeability, indirect tensile (IDT) strength, and water absorption tests. Field cores were also scanned with the X-ray computed tomography to investigate the effect of infrared heating on air void distribution. The test results showed general consistency in the joint quality; i.e., the lower the air void content, the lower the permeability and the higher the IDT strength. The infrared heater exhibited the best effectiveness in improving joint quality among all the joint construction techniques used in this study.