Field performance comparison of asphalt crack-filling materials: hot pour versus cold pour

Abstract

One of the most important components of pavement maintenance has been the sealing of cracks. The most commonly used materials for crack sealing are hot-pour sealants, such as hot rubber asphalt. However, this material can be hazardous at high operating temperatures and is more likely to be picked up by vehicle tires if the sealant is not sufficiently adhered to the pavement. Thus, cold-pour sealants have been considered as an alternative for crack sealing purposes. This study aims to compare the performance of hot-pour rubber asphalt crack sealant and cold-pour asphalt emulsion crack sealant in five different Texas districts that experience different weather conditions. The comparison includes seven different crack sealants: three cold pour and four hot pour. Five different roads in five districts were selected for comparison of the sealants. The field study results indicate that hot-pour sealants performed better than cold-pour sealants.Key words: sealants, emulsified crack sealants, crack sealing, asphalt pavements.