Newly developed adhesive strength test for measuring the strength of sealant between joints of concrete pavement

A new adhesive strength test (AST) was developed to determine the adhesive strength of joint sealant. A series of sealant thicknesses, displacement rates, and curing times was tested to determine proper AST testing parameters using self-leveling (SL) and nonself- leveling (NS) silicone sealants. A series of tests was conducted under varying moisture conditions. The results appeared to indicate that moisture may reduce adhesive strength. Drying-time tests were conducted to determine the approximate appropriate wait time between joint washing and sealant installation for 3.2 mm (1/8 in:) and 9.5 mm (3/8 in:) joints. A series of tests was also conducted on artificially aged sealants, which appeared to indicate that oven aging reduces adhesive strength for SL sealant. Non-self-leveling sealant, on the other hand, appeared to be largely unaffected by oven aging. Hot-water aging and freeze-thaw aging appeared to reduce adhesive strengths for both sealant mixtures