T-Shaped Bituminous Joint Tape for Road Surface Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint tapes for road surfaces face issues with material displacement and inadequate sealing due to temperature-induced melting and insufficient rivet head formation, leading to potential water infiltration and uneven compaction.
Innovation Solution
A bituminous joint tape with a T-shaped cross-section featuring a central web with a bevel and recessed profile, and a transverse web with a material-enriched contour, ensuring better heat absorption and mechanical interlocking, preventing slipping and ensuring a secure, even rivet head formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the central web of the joint tape reaches to the bottom of the joint to prevent slipping, then the joint tape is securely positioned, but there is not enough space for compacted road surface material which can push the joint tape up out of the joint during rolling
Solution Approach 1:
The central web is segmented into two functional zones: an upper region with reduced height (first height) that provides space for compacted material, and a lower region with increased height (second height greater than first height) that extends toward the joint bottom for anchoring. This segmentation allows both slipping prevention and adequate space for compaction material.
Solution Approach 2:
The central web transitions from a uniform two-dimensional cross-section to a three-dimensional profile with varying height along its length. This dimensional change creates a graduated structure that optimizes both positioning stability and space accommodation for compacted material during the rolling process.
2Ease of operation
If hot bitumen material is rolled on the joint tape with a profile ramp, then the joint tape is pressed into the joint, but the hot bitumen material melts through the joint tape material especially in the upper area of the ramp causing insufficient rivet head formation
Solution Approach 1:
The bevel is pre-formed on the central web to create a gradual transition zone that distributes the thermal load before the hot bitumen material contacts the main body of the joint tape. This preliminary geometric preparation prevents localized overheating and melting through during the rolling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint tape material composition or thermal properties are modified to increase temperature resistance, allowing the tape to withstand the thermal impact of hot bitumen material during rolling without melting through, thereby ensuring proper rivet head formation.
3Volume of stationary object
If the central bar is shortened in relation to joint depth, then space is created for compacted material, but cavities can form in the joint under the joint tape since bitumen material cannot reliably fill this cavity in depth
Solution Approach 1:
The central web exhibits local quality variation with different heights at different locations: the upper region has reduced height to provide space, while the lower region maintains increased height to ensure complete filling by bitumen material. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between creating space and ensuring complete filling.
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 solution provides a reliable, dimensionally stable joint tape that securely seals road joints by preventing material displacement and ensuring a strong bond between the tape and road surface, effectively preventing water infiltration and maintaining joint integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the covering material can absorb the temperature of the hot covering material more intensively in the area of the joint gap and thus experience better melting
Implementation Method 2
a bituminous material that is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures, which melts through when exposed to temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The strip (1) has a middle rod (4) and a transverse rod (3) provided in a T-shaped cross-section of the strip, where the strip is made of form-stable bituminous material. The middle rod has an inclined, downwardly-running taper i.e. chamfer (6), in a lower section, where the taper is arranged on a connection side for a road surface side to be sealed. A lower side surface of the transverse rod has a contact surface for contacting a road surface edge such that the transverse rod is arranged at an outer side of connection or repair joints, where the middle rod is shorter than joint depth.