Durability of Transverse Sawcut Joints in Mid-Western Jointed Concrete Pavements

This proposed project is comprised of an investigation into the role and extent that joint sealant effectiveness plays on the durability of sealed transverse sawcut joints in jointed concrete pavement that are subjected to deicing salts and freeze-thaw conditions. Specifically, this research will address the circumstances associated with the deterioration that occurs under the effect of oxychloride formation. This type of deterioration has been most prevalent in concrete pavements placed in the Midwestern parts of the US. This distress (Figure 1) is so extensive throughout Midwestern concrete pavements that it threatens the marketability of concrete pavements in the region. This proposed research will focus on aspects of the lesser-known distress in concrete (calcium oxychloride formation) that is caused by a chemical reaction between the chloride-based deicers and the calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2, (also denoted as CH). This reaction leads to the formation of calcium oxychloride, a deleterious reaction product that causes expansive pressures that damages a concrete pavement. As a consequence, the industry has a high level of interest in economic and effective solutions to prevent or minimize this distress type and has committed to in-kind contributions towards this research effort. Research has shown that some of the key factors in the incidence of calcium oxychloride formation are salt concentration and temperature which govern the threshold that must be exceeded in order to initiate the reaction. This research will seek to formulate a modeling approach to ascertain if the conditions in-situ warrant measures beyond the routine sealing of the joint to prevent damage from the formation of calcium oxychloride in the vicinity of a joint. The conditions will be characterized in terms of salt condition and temperature of the pore water in the concrete relative to the threshold or the activation energy for the reaction to occur.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $113910
  • Contract Numbers:

    ORSO 135461

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Transportation Infrastructure Durability & Life Extension

    Washington State University
    Civil & Environmental Engineering
    Pullman, Washington  United States  99164

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Managing Organizations:

    Transportation Infrastructure Durability & Life Extension

    Washington State University
    Civil & Environmental Engineering
    Pullman, Washington  United States  99164
  • Project Managers:

    Kline, Robin

  • Performing Organizations:

    Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla

    Department of Engineering
    202 University Center
    Rolla, MO    65409

    Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI)

    400 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South
    Suite 300
    College Station, TX  United States  77845-4375
  • Principal Investigators:

    Liu, Jenny

    Zollinger, D

  • Start Date: 20200501
  • Expected Completion Date: 20230831
  • Actual Completion Date: 0
  • USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01754272
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: National Center for Transportation Infrastructure Durability and Life-Extension
  • Contract Numbers: ORSO 135461
  • Files: UTC, RIP
  • Created Date: Oct 6 2020 1:21PM