Use of Control Joints for Controlling Repeated Transverse Thermal Cracking of Asphalt Pavements in Cold Regions

Status: Completed

Funding Agency: DOD

Abstract: 

This project aims to evaluate partial- and full-depth control joints, along with various crack sealants, to determine the most effective combinations for mitigating thermal cracking in asphalt mixtures. This project also introduces a new test, the Low Temperature Asphalt Sealant Tensile Test (LTAST), to address the limitations of ASTM D5329 by incorporating asphalt substrates, extreme low temperatures, and a failure mechanism tailored toward thermal contraction events. The outcomes of this study will provide a more representative assessment of joint and sealant performance under thermal stress and offer insights for improving the durability of asphalt pavements in cold climates.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Yusuf Mehta, PhD., Dr. Ayman Ali, PhD.

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