Session 11

Selecting Preventive
Maintenance Treatments

5-1

Preventive Maintenance
Treatments
HMA Treatments
PCC Treatments
Crack filling and sealing Joint resealing and crack
sealing
Slurry seals and
Diamond grinding and
microsurfacing
grooving
Thin and ultra-thin
Load-transfer restoration
overlays
and cross-stitching
Chip seals
Partial-depth repairs
Seal coats
Full-depth repairs
In-place recycling
Undersealing
5-2

Topics

Preventive maintenance treatments for

HMA pavements

PCC pavements

Description, purpose, and effectiveness of

individual treatments

Other considerations

Typical performance and costs

5-3

Learning Outcomes

List common preventive maintenance

treatments for HMA and PCC pavements

Identify conditions where each treatment is

considered effective and ineffective

For each treatment, describe approximate

unit costs and expected life
5-4

Selecting Candidate
Projects for PM Treatments
1. Inventory information
2. Current condition
6. Conduct cost-

effectiveness
analysis

3. Evaluate data
4. Current/projected

pavement needs
5. Identify feasible

preventive maintenance
treatments

7. Select best treatment

5-5

HMA Preventive Maintenance

Treatments

Crack filling and sealing

Slurry seals and microsurfacing
Thin and ultra-thin overlays

Chip seals
Seal coats
In-place recycling

5-6

Crack Filling and Sealing

5-7

Crack Filling and Sealing

Description
Placement of material into
individual existing cracks
Purpose
Reduce water infiltration
Prevent intrusion of incompressibles
Provide support to adjacent pavement
5-8

Crack Filling

Nonworking cracks

Crack width: 5 mm to 25 mm (0.2 in to 1.0

in)

Little crack preparation

Lower-quality materials

Often used as stop-gap activity

Treatment life (2 to 4 years)

5-9

Crack Sealing

Working cracks
Crack width: 5mm to 20 mm (0.2 in to
0.75 in)
Requires crack preparation
Higher-quality material
Average cost: $1.97/m to $3.28/m
($0.60/ft to $1.00/ft)
Treatment life: 2 to 10 years
Extension of life: 2 to 4 years

5-10

Crack Filling and Sealing

Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

None

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Rutting
Roughness

Moisture damage
Cracking
Roughness
Rutting

Roughness
Friction
5-11
5-11

Good Sealing Candidates

New or recently rehabilitated surface

Limited linear cracking

Little or no secondary cracking

Little or no raveling at crack face

Good base support

Limited structural deterioration

5-12

Seal Coats

5-13

Seal Coats

Spray application of asphalt emulsion

(with or without application of sand)

Treatment differences

Emulsion type

Use of aggregate

Method of embedment

Application rate, timing, and construction

quality are critical

5-14

Sidebar:
What is an emulsion?

Mixture of asphalt binder, clean water, and

emulsifying agent or surfactant

50 to 75% of mix is asphalt

Breakingseparation of water and

asphalt

Curingdevelopment of asphalt
mechanical properties
5-15

Emulsion
Distribution of Asphalt Particles

0.0037 mm (0.000145 in)

5-16

Emulsion
Terminology

Original emulsionasphalt, water, and

emulsifying agent

Diluted emulsionoriginal emulsion

diluted by additional water

Residual asphalt contentamount of

asphalt left after water has evaporated
5-17

Emulsion
Classification

Electrical charge

Speed of break: slow (SS), medium (MS),

and rapid set (RS)

Asphalt relative viscosity: hard (h) or soft (s)

Polymer-modified asphalt (P or L)
5-18

Emulsion
Classification Names
rapid-setting

cationic

CRS - 2

high viscosity
(65% asphalt)
slow-setting

cationic

CSS - 1h

hard asphalt
57% asphalt

high-float

HFMS - 2s
medium-setting
(anionic)

with solvent
65% asphalt
5-19

Emulsion
Classification
Emulsion
Type
Anionic

Slow
Setting
SS-1
SS-1h

Medium
Setting
MS-1
MS-2
MS-2h
HFMS-1
HFMS-2
HFMS-2h
HFMS-2s

Rapid
Setting
RS-1
RS-2
HFRS-2

Cationic

CSS-1
CSS-1h

CMS-2
CMS-2h

CRS-1
CRS-2

5-20

Benefits of Seal Coats

Slow aging process

Waterproof surface

Prevent stone loss

Increase surface friction

Better surface appearance

5-21

Fog Seals
Description
Light application of
diluted asphalt emulsion
without aggregate cover
Purpose
Seal pavement
Inhibit raveling
Improve lane delineation
Enrich hardened/oxidized asphalt

5-22

Fog Seals
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects
Oxidation
Raveling

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Friction (possibly)

5-23
5-23

Rejuvenators
Description
Emulsions that include asphalt, polymer
latex, and other additives
Purpose
Soften existing binder
Enrich weathered pavement
Inhibit raveling
5-24

Rejuvenators
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

None

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Raveling
Thermal cracking
Roughness

Raveling
Roughness

Friction

5-25
5-25

Sand Seals
Description
Spray emulsion followed by a light covering
of sand
Purpose
Fill fine cracks
Increase friction
Enrich weathered pavement
Inhibit raveling
5-26

Sand Seals
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Stripping

5-27
5-27

Scrub Seals
Description
Application of sand or
small-sized aggregate on
broomed layer of
polymer-modified asphalt
Purpose
Seal voids/cracks up to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) wide
Increase friction
Enrich hardened/oxidized asphalt
5-28

Scrub Seals
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Stripping

5-29
5-29

Slurry Seals and Microsurfacing

5-30

Slurry Seals
Description
Mixture of quick-setting
emulsion, fine aggregate,
mineral filler, additive,
and water
Purpose
Inhibit raveling and surface oxidation
Fill minor irregularities and restore friction
Seal pavement surface

5-31

Slurry Seals
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction
Raveling
Minor roughness

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness
Oxidation

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Stripping

5-32
5-32

Microsurfacing
Description
Mixture of high-quality
aggregates and polymermodified emulsion binder
Purpose
Inhibit raveling and surface oxidation
Improve surface friction
Fill ruts/minor surface irregularities
Seal pavement surface

5-33

Microsurfacing
Other Considerations

Polymer-modified emulsion (chemically sets)

Can be placed up to several stone thicknesses

Applicable for night work

Applicable for high-traffic volume conditions

Cost: $1.50/m2 to $2.40/m2 ($1.25/yd2 to

$2.00/yd2)

Treatment life: 4 to 7 years

Extension of life: 5 to 7 years

5-34

Microsurfacing
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction
Rutting
Raveling
Minor roughness

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness
Oxidation

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Stripping

5-35
5-35

Chip Seals

5-36

Chip Seals
Description
Application of asphalt
and aggregate chips
rolled onto the pavement
Purpose
Seal pavement
Enrich hardened/oxidized pavement
Retard reflection cracking on HMA overlays
Improve surface friction
5-37

Good Chip Seal Candidates

In past: low-volume roads; now: almost any

Structurally sound

Cracks < 6 mm (0.25 in) wide

No medium- or high-severity alligator cracking

Few or no potholes

Rutting < 25 mm (1 in)

Relatively smooth surface

5-38

Chip Seal Variations

Single chip seals

Double or triple chip seals

Cape seals

Fabric and chip seals

5-39

Chip Seal Variations

Single Chip Seals

Existing pavement

Binder

5-40

Chip Seal Variations

Double Chip Seals
Second
binder
application

Existing pavement

Binder

5-41

Chip Seal Variations

Cape Seals

Slurry seal

Existing pavement

Binder

5-42

Chip Seal Variations

Fabric and Chip Seals
Binder
application

Tack
coat

Paving
fabric

Existing pavement
5-43

Chip Seals
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction
Raveling
Minor roughness
Minor bleeding

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Moisture damage
Raveling
Rutting
Roughness

Moisture damage
Cracking
Raveling
Roughness
Rutting

Stripping
Roughness

5-44
5-44

In-Place Recycling

5-45

In-Place Recycling

Process of reworking or rejuvenating

upper portion of in-place HMA pavement

Addresses functional distresses

Its not just for rehabilitation anymore!

Two types

Cold in-place recycling (CIR)

Hot in-place recycling (HIR)

5-46

Cold In-Place Recycling

Description

Cold process

Milling depth: 50 mm 100 mm (2 in to 4 in)

RAP mixed with

additives and relaid

Resurfacing is typically required

Most commonly used on secondary and

low-volume roads

5-47

Hot In-Place Recycling

Description

Three methods

Surface recycling
Remixing
Repaving

Typical depth: 15 mm - 50 mm (0.6 in - 2.0 in)

RAP mixed with additives and relaid
Immediate opening to traffic
Applicable for all traffic levels
5-48

Benefits

Conserves energy and materials

Preserves geometrics

Many surface distresses eliminated

Improves profile

Modifies material characteristics

Relatively inexpensive

5-49

Basic Asphalt Recycling

Manual

5-50

In-Place Recycling
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Slows/Reduces Severity

Poor friction
Roughness
Bleeding
Raveling
Rutting
Poor cross slope

Cracking
Raveling
Roughness

Cracking
Moisture damage

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

5-51
5-51

Thin and Ultra-Thin Overlays

5-52

Thin HMA Overlay

Description

Traditional overlay process

With or without milling

Thickness between 19 mm and 38 mm

(0.75 in and 1.50 in)

Applicable for pavements in good condition

Three types: Conventional dense-graded,

OGFC and SMA

5-53

Thin HMA Overlay

Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Slows/Reduces Severity

Poor friction
Roughness
Raveling
Minor rutting
Minor surface defects
Bleeding

Cracking
Raveling
Roughness

Cracking
Moisture damage

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

5-54
5-54

Ultra-Thin Friction Course

Description

Gap-graded, polymer-modified HMA on

heavy polymer-modified tack
Single pass placement
Thickness between
10 mm and 20 mm
(0.4 in and 0.8 in)
Addresses minor
surface distress
and friction

5-55

Ultra-Thin Friction Course

Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor friction
Minor roughness
Raveling
Minor bleeding
Minor surface defects

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Raveling
Roughness

Cracking
Moisture damage

None

5-56

PCC Preventive Maintenance

Treatments
Joint resealing and crack sealing
Diamond grinding and grooving
Load-transfer restoration
and cross stitching

Full-depth repairs
Partial-depth repairs
Undersealing

5-57

Joint Resealing and

Crack Sealing

5-58

Joint Resealing and

Crack Sealing
Description
Application of a sealant
material in concrete
pavement joints and
cracks
Purpose
Reduce water infiltration
Prevent intrusion of incompressibles
5-59

Joint Resealing
Other Considerations

Continue to reseal joints if originally sealed!

Performed with other CPR activities

Hot-poured asphalt and silicone materials

Design factors:

Joint movement

Sealant properties

Shape factor (width/depth)

5-60

Crack Sealing
Other Considerations

Seal working transverse cracks

Can seal cracks 13 mm (0.5 in) wide

Use special crack-sawing blades

Same general joint resealing procedures

apply to crack sealing

Costs are slightly higher than joint resealing

costs
5-61

Joint Resealing & Crack Sealing

Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

None

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Pumping
Joint spalling
Corner breaks
D-Cracking

Cracking
Faulting

Roughness (possibly)

5-62
5-62

Diamond Grinding and Grooving

5-63

Diamond Grinding
Description
Removal of a thin layer
of PCC using stacked
diamond-tipped cutting
blades
Purpose
Remove faulting
Improve surface rideability
Improve surface friction

5-64

Diamond Grinding
Project Selection
Avg. Faulting,
mm (in)
0.8 (1/32)
1.6 (1/16)
2.4 (3/32)
3.2 (1/8)
4.8 (3/16)
6.4 (1/4)

Comment
No roughness
Minor faulting
Grinding project
Expedite project
Discomfort begins
Grind immediately
5-65

Diamond Grinding
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Slows/Reduces Severity

Faulting
Roughness
Poor friction
Surface distress
Noise

None

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

D-Cracking (possibly)
Cracking (possibly)
5-66
5-66

Diamond Grooving
Description
Creation of narrow,
parallel grooves in the
PCC surface using
diamond-tipped cutting
blades (localized areas)
Purpose
Improved wet-weather friction
Reduction in splash and spray

5-67

Diamond Grooving
Other Considerations

Typically used in areas with identified wetweather crash problems

Pavements should be structurally and

functionally sound

Disadvantages

Lateral wiggle of vehicles from longitudinal

grooves
Noise from transverse grooved surfaces

5-68

Diamond Grooving
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor wet weather

friction

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

None

None

5-69
5-69

Full-Depth Repairs

5-70

Full-Depth Repairs
Description
Cast in-place
concrete repairs that
extend the full depth
of the existing slab
Purpose
Repair localized distress
Preparation for an overlay
5-71

Full-Depth Repairs
Other Considerations

Do not address structural inadequacy

Not a long-term solution for material-related

distresses

Not cost effective if widespread deterioration

Restoring load transfer is critical

Materials: Conventional or high early

strength PCC

Treatment life: > 10 years

5-72

Full-Depth Repairs
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Cracking
Corner breaks
Joint spalling
D-Cracking
Roughness

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

None

Roughness (possibly)

5-73
5-73

Partial-Depth Repairs

5-74

Partial-Depth Repairs
Description
Removal and replacement of shallow areas
of deteriorated PCC
Purpose
Repair surface distress (typically spalling)
limited to the upper 1/3 of the slab
5-75

Partial-Depth Repairs
Other Considerations

Use full-depth repair if distress not confined

to top 1/3 of slab

Minimum dimensions: 300 mm x 100 mm

(12 in x 4 in)

Materials: PCC or proprietary

Bonding agent is necessary

Cost: Varies greatly by material type

Treatment life: 5 to 15 years

5-76

Partial-Depth Repairs
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Joint spalling
Surface distress
Roughness

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

None

None

Roughness (possibly)

5-77
5-77

Load-Transfer Restoration
and Cross Stitching

5-78

Load-Transfer Restoration
Description
Placement of load-transfer devices across
joints or cracks in an existing pavement
Purpose
Provide reliable load transfer
Reduce or eliminate pumping, faulting,
and corner breaks (reducing deflections)
5-79

Good Candidate Projects

Relatively good condition, but with:

Poor load transfer

Faulting between 3 mm and 13 mm (0.125 in and
0.5 in)
<10% slabs with multiple cracks

Pavements expecting overlays

Medium to heavy truck traffic

5-80

Load-Transfer Restoration
Other Considerations

Milling of slots is not recommended

Round, smooth dowel bars are typical

Repair (filler) materials

Portland cement concrete (PCC)

Rapid-setting proprietary materials

Costs: $25 to $35 per dowel

Treatment life: 10 to 15 years

5-81

Load-Transfer Restoration
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor load transfer

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Roughness
Corner breaks

Pumping
Joint faulting

None

5-82
5-82

Cross Stitching
Description
Grouting of tiebars in
holes drilled across
nonworking longitudinal
cracks at an angle to
the pavement surface
Purpose
Prevent horizontal and vertical crack
movements

5-83

Cross-Stitching Schematic
Deformed tiebars inserted and
grouted into drilled holes
(typically 19 mm [3/4 in] bars)
35 45
PCC slab

Dowel bar

Base
Longitudinal crack

5-84

Cross Stitching
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Poor load transfer at

longitudinal cracks

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Roughness
Potential safety problems

None

None

5-85
5-85

Undersealing

5-86

Undersealing
Description
Pressure insertion of flowable material
beneath a PCC slab
Purpose
Fill underlying voids (not raise slab)
Reduce pavement deflections
Minimize pumping and faulting
5-87

Undersealing
Other Considerations

Undersealing slab jacking

Accurate location of voids is critical

Does NOT correct depressions, increase
structural capacity, stop erosion, or eliminate
faulting
Concurrent rehabilitation activities
Pozzolanic- and limestone-cement grout are
most common
Expanded use of polyurethane materials

5-88

Undersealing
Measure of Effectiveness
Corrects

Large deflections due to

voids at joints

Slows/Reduces Severity

Negatively Affects

Prevents/Delays

Corner breaks
Joint faulting

Pumping
Roughness

None

5-89
5-89

Review of
Learning Outcomes

List common preventive maintenance

treatments available for HMA and PCC
pavements

Identify pavement conditions which constitute

a preventive application of these treatments

Identify conditions in which the use of each

treatment is considered not appropriate
5-90

Seattle, Washington