Selection of Pavement Joint Sealant Material

A review of literature shows joint sealant selection should be based on the design, construction and environmental variables. Satisfactory performance for one set of conditions does not imply the same results for another set of conditions. Based on studies of climatological conditions, material properties and expected transverse joint movement, a joint width and sealant depth should be recommended for preformed and liquid type sealants. Guidelines for preparing specifications for specific site conditions to maximize sealant material, the criteria to be considered include skill, experience and difficulty in installing the material, sealant properties such as adhesion, cohesion, and tensile strength, environmental condition, and joint properties such as movement and faulting. Procedures are presented to compute the joint sealant shape factor based on the expected movement and the material properties.