Development and Laboratory Analysis of Silicone Foam Sealant for Bridge Expansion Joints
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 4
Abstract
Sealing of bridge expansion joint systems is important to protect the structural components below the joint. An elastomeric foam-type joint sealant has been developed for sealing small-movement bridge expansion joints. Laboratory tests including tension, compression, shear, bonding, stress relaxation, cure rate, tack-free time, and water tightness were performed on this sealant. In addition, loading-unloading behavior in tension and compression and effects of immersion in saturated saltwater solution on its engineering properties were investigated. The silicone foam sealant showed an increase in volume of % on curing and attained approximately 80% of the 21-day curing strength in the first 7 days. Tack-free time for the foam sealant was below and comparable to that for the solid sealant. The mechanical test results indicated lower stiffness, greater extensibility, and better bonding associated with the foam sealant compared to the solid (unfoamed) sealant. The foam sealant exhibited smaller loss in extensibility at failure due to saltwater immersion compared to the solid sealant. While in tension both sealants exhibited similar rates of stress decay, in compression the foam sealant was found to relax faster than the solid. Neither sealants exhibited any water leakage during a test period.
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Acknowledgments
The research work reported herein was performed under Project NETC 02-6, sponsored by the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC). Special appreciation goes to the Technical Committee members of this NETC project for providing valuable comments and information on joint-sealing systems currently used by their departments of transportation, as well as the other highway and transportation agencies that responded to the inquiries relevant to this study. The support received from the Watson Bowman Acme Corporation, Amherst, New York, which provided the Wabo seal material for this study, is gratefully acknowledged. This paper was prepared in cooperation with the NETC and does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the writers, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the NETC or the Federal Highway Administration.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 12 • Issue 4 • July 2007
Pages: 438 - 448
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 29, 2005
Accepted: Mar 13, 2006
Published online: Jul 1, 2007
Published in print: Jul 2007
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