Laboratory Testing, Field Installation, and Monitoring of a Silicone Foam Sealant for Bridge Expansion Joints
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 8
Abstract
Bridge expansion joint sealants are used to deter water and corrosive materials from leaking through the joint and damaging the bridge structure. However, problems with leakage from failing joint sealants have been observed. In response to this situation, a silicone foam sealant designed for small-movement bridge expansion joints was developed. The foam sealant proved to be easy to use and economical. In previously reported studies, various laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the foam sealant’s tensile strength, compressive strength, reaction to various temperatures, stress relaxation, creep behavior, and bonding capabilities to various substrate materials, such as steel, asphalt, concrete, and polymer concrete. In the current study, further laboratory tests were conducted on the sealant. These tests included ponding and freeze-thaw resistance. The subject study included the development and use of an application procedure to install the silicone foam sealant into bridge expansion joints. After being applied to expansion joints on four bridges in the Northeast (Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York), continuous monitoring of the temperature, precipitation, and physical condition of the sealant was conducted for over 1 year. Based on these tests, it can be concluded that the silicone foam sealant is as easy to install and as durable as conventional solid sealants.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported was conducted under the “NETC 02-6 Phase 2—Sealing of Small Movement Expansion Joints: Field Demonstration and Monitoring” project sponsored by the New England Transportation Consortium from funding received from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors extend sincere thanks to the NETC Project Technical Committee members from the New England states, and the state Departments of Transportation in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York for providing the bridges in their states and the logistical help and facilities making it possible to install the sealants into the bridge expansion joints. The authors also acknowledge the Watson Bowman Acme Corporation in Amherst, New York, for their donating the WABO two-part silicone sealant material (Watson Bowman Acme 2008a). 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 18 • Issue 8 • August 2013
Pages: 758 - 767
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 5, 2011
Accepted: Jul 6, 2012
Published online: Jul 21, 2012
Published in print: Aug 1, 2013
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