Sealing or filling transverse and longitudinal joints in concrete pavements is an important consideration for long-term pavement performance. For most pavement applications proactively sealing or filling joints provides a measure of added protection against potential problems, such as spalling, base/subgrade softening, dowel bar corrosion, pavement joint blow-ups, and even some materials-related distresses. However, to gain these benefits the installation and maintenance of the sealants/fillers must be performed with care.

Practice (MAP) brief is part one of a two-part series addressing the impacts of concrete pavement surface characteristics. Part one focuses on noise impacts, and part two will focus on ride quality impacts, including textures, equipment, friction, and safety.

Diamond grinding involves the use of a series of diamond saw blades and spacers stacked together to cut a pavement surface to a shallow depth, giving it a “corduroy” appearance. It has been used for decades on civilian and military airfield concrete pavements to smooth surfaces, correct surface elevation, remediate surface distresses, increase friction, and ultimately extend service life.

The common practice of waterproofing road bridge decks with a membrane and asphalt has been a common design approach for many decades. However, if older bridges with concrete decks performed well in rural areas, why does asphalt need to be used? Today, with better access to technology in Australia and the push for road agencies to procure more sustainable practices, it may be better to use concrete surfaces again, negating the need for asphalt as the waterproofing layer.

Sawing joints in concrete pavements potentially exposes workers to respirable crystalline silica dust which may increase the risk of health issues. OSHA has standards designed to protect workers from these risks: respirable Crystalline Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153) and Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 910.134) among others. This Tech Brief is not intended to address the health risks, but instead to provide information on devices which can be used to minimize them.

To seal or not to seal has been a strongly debated question for more than a quarter century. This debate has continued due to the variable performance of installed sealants and the inability to relate sealant condition to pavement performance. Joint sealing has been a process in constructing concrete pavements for over a hundred years, yet the challenge of quality installation continues. With the introduction of the OSHA PM10 regulations (29 CFR 1926.1153), this challenge has become even greater with the need to ensure environmental worker safety.