32 13 73 - Compression Joint Seals for Concrete Pavement.docx

DIVISION 32 – EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

SECTION 32 13 73

COMPRESSION JOINT SEALS FOR CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

04/08

PART 1 GENERAL

This guide specification covers the requirements for polychloroprene compression seals used for sealing joints of rigid pavements for airfields

1.1 UNIT PRICES

1.1.1 Measurement

The quantity of each sealing item to be paid for will be determined by measuring the length of in-place material that has been approved.

1.1.2 Payment

Payment will be made at the contract unit bid prices per unit length for the sealing items scheduled, including approved trail joint installation. Include in the unit bid prices the cost of all labor, materials, the use of all equipment, and tools required to complete the work.

1.2 REFERENCES

The publications listed below form a part of this specification to the extent referenced. The publications are referred to within the text by the basic designation only.

ASTM INTERNATIONAL (ASTM)

ASTM D 2628 (1991; R 2005) Standard Specification for Preformed Polychloroprene Elastomeric Joint Seals for Concrete Pavements

ASTM D 2835 (1989; R 2007) Lubricant for Installation of Preformed Compression Seals in Concrete Pavements

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE)

COE CRD-C 548 (1988) Standard Specification for Jet-Fuel and Heat Resistant Preformed Polychloroprene Elastomeric Joint Seals for Rigid Pavements

1.3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Provide machines, tools, and equipment, used in the performance of the work required by this section, approved before the work is started and maintained in satisfactory condition at all times.

1.3.1 Joint Cleaning Equipment

1.3.1.1 Concrete Saw

Provide a self-propelled power saw with water-cooled diamond saw blades for cutting joints to the depths and widths specified and for removing filler, existing old joint seal, or other material embedded in the joints or adhered to the joint faces.

1.3.1.2 Sandblasting Equipment

Include with the sandblasting equipment an air compressor, hose, and a long-wearing venturi-type nozzle of proper size, shape, and opening. The maximum nozzle opening should not exceed 1/4 inch. Provide a portable air compressor capable of furnishing not less than 150 cubic feet per minute and maintaining a line pressure of not less than 90 psi at the nozzle while in use. The compressor shall be equipped with traps that will maintain the compressed air free of oil and water. The nozzle shall have an adjustable guide that will hold the nozzle aligned with the joint about 1 inch above the pavement surface and will direct the blast to clean the joint walls. Adjust the height, angle of inclination, and the size of the nozzle as necessary to ensure satisfactory results.

1.3.1.3 Water-blasting Equipment

Include with the water-blasting equipment a trailer-mounted water tank, pumps, high-pressure hose, a wand with safety release cutoff controls, nozzle, and auxiliary water resupply equipment. The water tank and auxiliary water resupply equipment shall be of sufficient capacity to permit continuous operations. The pumps, hoses, wand, and nozzle shall be of sufficient capacity to permit the cleaning of both walls of the joint and the pavement surface for a width of at least 1/2 inch on either side of the joint. A pressure gauge mounted at the pump shall show at all times the pressure in psi at which the equipment is operating.

1.3.2 Sealing Equipment

Equipment used to install the compression seal shall place the compression seal to the prescribed depths within the specified tolerances without cutting, nicking, twisting, or otherwise damaging the seal. The equipment shall be capable of placing the seal with not more than two percent longitudinal stretch or compression of the seal during installation. The machine shall be an automatic self-propelled joint seal application equipment and engine powered. The machine shall include a reservoir for the lubricant/adhesive, a device for conveying the lubricant/adhesive in the proper quantities to the sides of the compression seal or the sidewalls of the joints, a reel capable of holding one full spool of compression seal, and a power-driven apparatus for feeding the joint seal through a compression device and inserting the seal into the joint. The equipment shall also include a guide to maintain the proper course along the joint being sealed. The machine shall at all times be operated by an experienced operator.

1.3.3 Test Requirements

Each lot of compression joint seal and lubricant/adhesive shall be sampled, identified, and tested for conformance with the applicable material specification. A lot of compression seal shall consist of 1 day's production or 20,000 linear feet for each cross section, whichever is less. A lot of lubricant/adhesive shall consist of 1 day's production. Testing of the compression joint seal and lubricant/adhesive material is the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be performed in an approved independent laboratory, and certified copies of the test reports shall be submitted for approval 30 days prior to the use of the materials at the jobsite. Samples of each lot of material shall also be submitted and will be retained by the Government for possible future testing should the materials appear defective during or after application. Furnish additional samples of materials, in sufficient quantity to be tested, upon request. Final acceptance will be based on conformance to the specified test requirements and the performance of the in-place materials.

1.4 SUBMITTALS

Government approval is required for submittals with a "G" designation; submittals not having a "G" designation are for Contractor Quality Control approval. Submit the following in accordance with Section 01 33 00 SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES:

SD-03 Product Data

Equipment, G List of proposed equipment to be used in the performance of construction work, including descriptive data, 30 days prior to use on the project.

SD-04, Samples

Compression Seals; G Regardless of testing responsibility, 9 foot long samples of the materials, 30 days prior to use on the project. Printed directions from the manufacturer on recommended installation criteria shall be furnished with the samples plus the manufacturer's certification that the selected seal is recommended for the installation on this project.

SD-06 Test Reports

Test Requirements, G Certified copies of test results, 30 days prior to use of material on the project.

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1.5.1 Trial Joint Seal and Lubricant/Adhesive Installation

Prior to the cleaning and sealing of the joints for the entire project, prepare a test section at least 200 feet long at a designated location in the project pavement, using the specified materials and the approved equipment to demonstrate the proposed joint preparation and sealing of all types of joints in the project. Following the completion of the trial length and before any other joint is sealed, the trial joints will be inspected by the Government to determine that the materials and installation meet the requirements specified. If materials or installation do not meet requirements, remove the materials, and the joints shall be re-cleaned and resealed at no cost to the Government. No other joints shall be sealed until the test installation has been approved. If the trial section is approved, it may be incorporated into the permanent work. Seal other joints in the manner approved for sealing the trial joint.

1.6 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

Materials delivered to the jobsite shall be inspected for defects, unloaded, and stored with a minimum of handling to avoid damage. Provide storage facilities that protect materials from weather and maintain materials at temperatures recommended by the manufacturer.

1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The ambient temperature and the pavement temperature within the joint wall shall be at least 35 degrees F and rising at the time of installation of the materials. Sealant installation will not be allowed if moisture or foreign material is observed in the joint.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 COMPRESSION SEALS

Compression joint seal materials shall be a vulcanized elastomeric compound using polychloroprene as the only base polymer. The material and manufactured seal shall conform to ASTM D 2628 and COE CRD-C 548 where jet fuel and/or heat blast resistance is required. The joint seal shall be a labyrinth type seal. The uncompressed depth of the face of the compression seal (that is to be bonded to the joint wall) shall be greater than the uncompressed width of the seal, except that for seals 1 inch or greater in width, the depth need be only 1 inch or greater. The actual width of the uncompressed seal for construction and contraction joints shall be 0.75 or 1 inch and for expansion joints shall be 1.25 inches. The tolerance on the seal shall be plus 1/8 inch or minus 1/16 inch.

2.2 LUBRICANT/ADHESIVE

Lubricant/adhesive used for the compression elastomeric joint seal shall be a one-component compound conforming to ASTM D 2835.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 PREPARATION OF JOINTS

Immediately before installation of the compression joint seal, thoroughly clean the joints to remove laitance, filler, existing sealer, foreign material and protrusions of hardened concrete from the sides and upper edges of the joint space to be sealed. Cleaning shall be by sandblasting or water-blasting and shall extend along pavement surfaces at least 1/2 inch on either side of the joint. After final cleaning and immediately prior to sealing, the joints shall be blown out with compressed air and left completely free of debris and water. Demonstrate that the selected cleaning operation meets the cleanliness requirements. Correct any irregularity in the joint face which would prevent uniform contact between the joint seal and the joint face prior to the installation of the joint seal.

3.1.1 Sawing

Clean and open joints to the specified width and depth by sawing. Immediately following the sawing operation, thoroughly clean the joint faces and opening using a water jet to remove saw cuttings or debris remaining on the faces or in the joint opening. Install compression seal within 3 calendar days of the time the joint cavity is sawed. Depth of the joint cavity shall be in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The saw cut for the joint seal cavity shall be centered over the joint line. The nominal width of the sawed joint seal cavity shall be as follows; the actual width shall be within a tolerance of plus or minus 1/16 inch:

a. If a nominal 13/16 inch wide compression seal is furnished, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be 8/16 inches when the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is between 30 and 110 degrees F. If the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is above this range, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be decreased 1/16 inch. If the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is below this range, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be increased 1/16 inch.

b. If a nominal 1 inch wide compression seal is furnished, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be 9/16 inches when the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is between 30 and 170 degrees F. If the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is above this range, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be decreased 1/16 inch. If the pavement temperature at the time of sawing is below this range, the nominal width of the saw cut shall be increased 1/16 inch.

c. Measure the pavement temperature in the presence of the Contracting Officer. Make measurement each day before commencing sawing and at any other time during the day when the temperature appears to be varying from the allowable sawing range.

3.1.2 Sandblast Cleaning

Use a multiple pass sandblasting technique until the surfaces are free of dust, dirt, curing compound, or any residue that might prevent ready insertion or uniform contact of the seal and bonding of the lubricant/adhesive to the concrete.

3.1.3 Water-blast Cleaning

Use a multiple pass water-blast technique until the surfaces are free of dust, dirt, curing compound, or any residue that might prevent ready insertion or uniform contact of the seal and bonding of the lubricant/adhesive to the concrete.

3.1.4 Rate of Progress

Limit sandblasting or water-blasting of joint faces to the length of joint that can be sealed during the same workday.

3.2 INSTALLATION OF THE COMPRESSION SEAL

3.2.1 Time of Installation

Seal joints immediately within 3 calendar days of sawing the joint seal cavity and following concrete cure and the final cleaning of the joint walls. Provide open joints, ready for sealing that cannot be sealed under the specified conditions, with an approved temporary seal to prevent infiltration of foreign material. When rain interrupts the sealing operations, the joints shall be washed, air pressure cleaned, and allowed to dry prior to installing the lubricant/adhesive and compression seal.

3.2.2 Sequence of Installation

Seal first longitudinal joints, followed by transverse joints. Install seals in longitudinal joints so that all transverse joint seals will be intact from edge to edge of the pavement. Intersections shall be made monolithic by use of joint seal adhesive and care in fitting the intersection parts together. Extender pieces of seal shall not be used at intersections. Any seal falling short at the intersection shall be removed and replaced with new seal at no additional cost to the Government. Seals that are required to change direction by more than 20 degrees, may require a poured sealant at the intersection. Poured sealant shall be in accordance with compression seal manufacturer's instructions.

3.3 SEALING OF JOINTS

The sides of the joint seal or the sides of the joint shall be covered with a coating of lubricant/adhesive and the seal installed as specified. Butt joints and seal intersections shall be coated with liberal applications of lubricant/adhesive. Lubricant/adhesive spilled on the pavement shall be removed immediately to prevent setting on the pavement. The in-place joint seal shall be in an upright position and free from twisting, distortion, and cuts. Adjustments shall be made to the installation equipment and procedure, if the stretch exceeds 1 percent. Any seal exceeding 2 percent stretch shall be removed and replaced. The joint seal shall be placed at a uniform depth within the tolerances specified. In-place joint seal which fails to meet the specified requirements shall be removed and replaced with new joint seal at no cost to the Government. The compression joint seal shall be placed to a depth of 1/4 inch, plus or minus 1/8 inch, below the pavement surface except when the joint is beveled or has a radius at the surface, or unless otherwise directed. For beveled joints or joints with a radius at the surface, the compression joint seal shall be installed at a depth of 1/8 inch, plus or minus 1/8 inch, below the bottom of the edge of the bevel or radius. No part of the seal shall be allowed to project above the surface of the pavement or above the edge of the bevel or radius. The seal shall be installed in the longest practicable lengths in longitudinal joints and shall be cut at the joint intersections to provide continuous installation of the seal in the transverse joints. The lubricant/adhesive in the longitudinal joints shall be allowed to set for 1 hour prior to cutting at the joint intersections to reduce the possibility of shrinkage. For all transverse joints, the minimum length of the compression joint seal shall be the pavement width from edge to edge.

3.4 CLEAN-UP

Upon completion of the project, remove all unused materials from the site, remove any lubricant/adhesive on the pavement surface, and leave the pavement in clean condition.

3.5 QUALITY CONTROL PROVISIONS

3.5.1 Application Equipment

Inspect the application equipment to assure uniform application of lubricant/adhesive to the sides of the compression joint seal or the walls of the joint. If any equipment causes cutting, twisting, nicking, excessive stretching or compressing of the seal, or improper application of the lubricant/adhesive, suspend the operation until causes of the deficiencies are determined and corrected.

3.5.2 Procedures

3.5.2.1 Quality Control Inspection

Provide quality control provisions during the joint cleaning process to prevent or correct improper equipment and cleaning techniques that damage the concrete in any manner. Cleaned joints shall be approved by the Government prior to installation of the lubricant/adhesive and compression joint seal.

3.5.2.2 Conformance to Stretching and Compression Limitations

Determine conformance to stretching and compression limitations. Mark the top surface of the compression seal at 1 foot intervals in a manner clear and durable to enable length determinations of the seal. After installation, measure the distance between the marks on the seal. If the stretching or compression exceeds 2 percent, remove the seal and replace it with new joint at no additional cost to the Government. The seal shall be removed up to the last correct measurement. The seal shall be inspected a minimum of once per 100 feet of seal for compliance to the shrinkage or compression requirements. Measurements shall also be made at the same interval to determine conformance with depth and width of installation requirements. Remove and replace compression seal that is not in conformance with specification requirements with new joint seal at no additional cost to the Government.

3.5.2.3 Pavement Temperature

Determine the pavement temperature by placing a thermometer in the initial saw cut for the joint and record the reading. The thermometer shall remain in the joint for an adequate time to provide a control reading.

3.5.3 Final Inspection

Inspect the joint sealing system (compression seal and lubricant/adhesive) for proper rate of cure and bonding to the concrete, cuts, twists, nicks and other deficiencies. Seals exhibiting any defects, at any time prior to final acceptance of the project, shall be removed from the joint, wasted, and replaced in a satisfactory manner.

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