Analysis of Damage Mechanism of Reinforced Concrete Pavement Joint Sealant

Abstract

Highway agencies in Thailand select reinforced concrete pavement for highways that have to carry a high traffic volume because of the pavement's durability and ability to support heavy loads with less deformation. Joint sealant is a structural component that interconnects the pavement slabs. Limited information on the joint sealant is available in Thailand. This research proposes to analyze the damage mechanism of the joint sealant by application of the finite element method under the local environment in which it is subjected to different load patterns, temperature, and time periods. Three-dimensional finite element analysis of the joint sealant and its fatigue property are presented in this paper. Displacement of slab edge surface on both sides of the rigid pavement expansion joint by traffic loading and curling effect can cause stress and strain in the joint sealant. This study conducts an experiment to obtain the fatigue property of the joint sealant subjected to the cyclic movement induced by traffic loads and the curling effect in the rigid pavement slabs. Results of sealant behavior analysis under different configurations and damage analysis of joint sealant under fatigue loading are presented in regard to the stress–strain relation and percentage of joint sealant damage with respect to its service life. Case studies are selected to illustrate how an agency could mechanistically determine maintenance frequency of joint resealing.