Minnesota Department of Transportation

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NRRA Rigid Team

MnROAD | NRRA | Structure & Teams | Rigid Team

Repair of Joint Associated Distress in Concrete Pavements

Project summary

As the highway system ages throughout the U.S., there is an increasing occurrence of joint associated distress in concrete pavements. This distress can be a result of several factors, including reactive materials, fatigue from vehicle loadings, misaligned dowel bars, poorly drained joint systems, as well as attack from aggressive deicing chemicals. Since the distress occurs primarily near the joints, while the remainder of the slabs are still in serviceable condition, it is often more economical and sustainable to perform joint repairs.

The objective of this project is to produce a short technical brief and webinar containing the best practices for the repair of distressed joints in concrete pavements and overlays, particularly those used in NRRA member states. The tech brief will include causes for the distresses, as well as case histories of successful and non-successful repair methods. A one hour long webinar will also be developed, delivered, and recorded for future reference.

Project tasks/status

Original Need Statement: Repair of Joint Associated Distress Pavements (DOC), July 2016

Task 1: Create technical brief identifying state-of-the-art repair techniques for distressed joints in concrete pavement

Create or adapt an existing technical brief that identifies best practice repair techniques for distressed joints in concrete pavements and overlays. Include descriptions of the cause(s) for the development of joint distresses, identifying typical types of joint distresses observed in NRRA member states. Provide short case histories (maximum 2 per state) from each NRRA member state highlighting successful and non-successful concrete pavement joint repair materials, specifications, standard plans, placement techniques, and performance life.

Task 2: Develop one-hour webinar summarizing information contained in tech brief

Develop, deliver, and record a one hour long webinar based on the technical brief created in Task 1. The Powerpoint presentation and recorded webinar will be posted on the NRRA website for future reference.

Project team

Technical Liaison: Bernard Izevbekhai
Project Technical Advisory Panel (TAP):

  • Gordy Bruhn, MnDOT
  • Tom Burnham, MnDOT
  • Mark Gawedzinski, Illinois DOT
  • Ed Johnson, MnDOT
  • Maria Masten, MnDOT
  • John Roberts, IGGA