INTRODUCING JOINTED ASPHALT PAVEMENT
A method to control and reduce climate related
cracking in
hot mix asphalt pavements
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Cold Temperatures will shrink a pavement and create random cracking that requires crack filling which is both costly and unattractive. |
| Construction materials such as concrete, bricks and steel in buildings, bridges and pavements have used expansion joints to help avoid temperature damage. This brick pavement is a Wisconsin State Highway that is still in service after more than 85 years and after being rebuilt in 1994, it will continue to be used. |
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The random temperature cracking opens more as the pavement ages. The cracks do not
close, because the pavement contracts horizontally when it cools, but expands vertically
when it warms up. However, there is small expansion horizontally. Because the asphalt
cement has inherent healing properties studies have shown that closely spaced joints can
remain resistant to water penetration.
One method to build joints in the pavement is a patented process that cuts temporary
grooves in the hot pavement behind the paver but before the first roller.
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As the pavement ages the healing of the asphalt binder continues to work to keep the joint sealed. The joint becomes even less visible as time goes on with the curing that naturally occurs. |
The staff at B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc. have developed and patented this process of building joints in asphalt, providing a longer lasting mechanical means to resist climate damages to the pavement. To date almost all efforts in asphalt pavement design have relied on chemistry of the asphaltic binder to achieve improvements in pavement design. At best the chemical approach is only a temporary solution. This process is available to our customers. We can provide cost estimates for applying it to your project. If there are further questions, we will gladly discuss your project requirements.
Patent # 5,494,373Use menu bar at left to navigate