Asphalt Paving Seam Sealer Using Elastomeric Gasket
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sealing of seams between asphalt pavement sections is challenging due to temperature differences leading to weak bonds, and existing methods like reheating or using joint-sealing tapes fail to provide a strong, durable connection that withstands expansion and contraction stresses.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive elastomeric gasket is laid down before paving, enveloping the vertical faces of adjacent lanes on three sides, utilizing the heat of fresh asphalt to cure the adhesive and create a strong bond between the pavement sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If joint-sealing tape is inserted into the seam after paving, then the seam is sealed, but the tape fails to penetrate deeply enough and gaps form between the tape and asphalt
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is installed in advance before the asphalt is laid, positioned at the seam location. This preliminary placement allows the hot asphalt to flow over and around the gasket, ensuring deep penetration and complete envelopment of the vertical faces, eliminating gaps and ensuring strong adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric gasket serves as an intermediary element between the two pavement sections. It is specifically designed to be enveloped by the asphalt, creating a mechanical interlock and adhesive bond that bridges the seam, preventing water penetration and accommodating movement.
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied at ambient temperature between two pavement sections, then the seam is sealed, but the adhesive curing is insufficient and bond strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the inherent heat of the freshly laid hot asphalt to cure the adhesive component of the gasket. The asphalt's own thermal energy serves as the curing source, eliminating the need for external heating equipment and ensuring thorough adhesive curing at the seam interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive curing process is enabled by the temperature parameter provided by the hot asphalt. The gasket is designed to be cured by the elevated temperature of the fresh asphalt, transforming the thermal state from ambient to elevated, which activates and strengthens the adhesive bonding.
3Reliability
If the gasket is laid down before paving, then the adhesive is effectively cured by asphalt heat, but the gasket must be precisely positioned to envelop vertical faces
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that can be conformingly positioned along the seam. This flexibility allows the gasket to adapt to the seam geometry and be properly enveloped by the asphalt, achieving both effective adhesive curing and accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket design extends into three dimensions with top flanges that wrap around the vertical faces of the pavement sections. This multi-dimensional configuration ensures that the adhesive bonds on both sides of the seam while accommodating the vertical geometry of the pavement edges.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gasket effectively seals the seam by forming a strong bond on both sides, preventing moisture penetration and accommodating thermal expansion and contraction, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the pavement.
Implementation Method 1
it is laid down before each lane is paved, thereby taking advantage of the heat of the fresh asphalt to effectively and rapidly cure the adhesive component of the gasket to insure a strong bond on both sides of the seam
Implementation Method 2
the expansion and contraction of the adjacent lanes under varying weather conditions will subject the seam to stresses and shear forces that will tend to degrade the joint over time
Data Source
AI summary
A new method of sealing the seam between two adjacent sections of asphalt pavement deploys an adhesive elastomeric gasket which completely envelopes the vertical faces of the adjacent lanes on three sides—i.e., above, below and along each face. Since the gasket extends partly underneath each section of paving, it is laid down before each lane is paved, thereby taking advantage of the heat of the fresh asphalt to effectively and rapidly cure the adhesive component of the gasket to insure a strong bond on both sides of the seam.