Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 55-14. Pavement Maintenance Practices for Deteriorated Wide Cracks and Joints

Existing pavement maintenance programs of many state departments of transportation (DOTs) almost exclusively involve two kinds of activities: sealing of relatively narrow cracks (typically less than about 1 inch wide) and patching of potholes (typically several inches in diameter or larger). However, there are many other localized pavement distresses that are of intermediate size that can develop into potholes over time, such as deteriorated cracks also known as wide cracks, cupped or raveled cracks, and spalled joints. Often, deteriorated intermediate cracks and joints are not repaired by DOT maintenance until they have progressed to a point requiring pothole repairs. These deteriorated intermediate pavement cracks or joints are frequently larger than those typically repaired by crack or joint sealing efforts but are smaller than repairs requiring remove-and-replace patching procedures. Repairs of these types of intermediate pavement distresses with materials such as flexible asphalt-based mastics, sand asphalt, or other patching materials have been shown to delay the development of potholes and to extend pavement service life. Engineered products, such as mastics, typically consist of polymer or rubber-modified asphalt binder systems combined with mineral fillers or fine aggregates. Experience has shown that engineered products can provide substantially better performance than more traditional solutions for deteriorated intermediate distresses, such as sand asphalt. Mastic type materials may be combined with repair techniques such as micro-milling or routing to remove loose pavement material and provide an adequate reservoir to receive the repair material. State DOTs are developing evaluation and approval programs for assessment of available maintenance materials, and methods of application. Additionally, some state DOTs have increased their use of mastic materials for various pavement maintenance activities and have shown increased interest in the use of new products, such as mastics, along with current practices, such as sand asphalt and patching materials. The objective of this synthesis is to document practices used by state DOTs for pavement maintenance for deteriorated wide transverse and longitudinal cracks and joints.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5487
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 55-14

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Larson, Sandra

• Start Date: 20230814
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Longitudinal cracking; Mastic asphalt; Pavement cracking; Pavement joints; Pavement maintenance; State departments of transportation; State of the practice
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01886947
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 55-14
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 3 2023 10:10AM