Evaluation Of Sand-bitumen Mix And Rubber Membrane Joint Sealants For Ongoing Rigid Pavements In Ethiopia Case Of Ditchoto Galafi Concrete Road Project

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As a part of its Road Sector Development Program (RSDP), the government of Ethiopia has beenrninvesting a significant amount of money in constructing different surface type roads. And, due to itsrnhigher life span, low maintenance and operation cost, rigid pavements (cement concrete surface types)rnhave been emerging as the preferred pavement type to be constructed in high-temperature areas likernthe eastern part of Ethiopia, where there are 195.5km long ongoing rigid road projects including therncase study project. In rigid pavement construction, space (joint) provided for the concrete pavementrnslabs was a solution given to the slabs so that they could be able to expand and contract during hotrnand cold temperatures until incompressible materials intrude between slabs and water infiltrating thernsubgrade was proved problems. Hence, to mitigate the detrimental effects of such intrusions on thernperformance and service life of the pavement, sealing the slab joints with sealants has becomernimperative. In connection with rigid pavement joint sealing practices in Ethiopia, the case studyrnproject, unlike the other three similar ongoing road projects in Ethiopia and the trends followedrnworldwide, has utilized a sand-bitumen mix in place of the renowned silicone joint sealants. Hence, inrnthis research, comparative assessments on different joint sealant types (sand-bitumen mix and rubber)rnto replace silicone joint sealant were done. Accordingly, starting from the mix design of sand-bitumenrnmix with varied proportions (20/80, 25/75 and 30/70) and rubber membrane in Horizon Addis Tirernlaboratory, physical-mechanical properties of both sealants were evaluated in the laboratory as perrnASTM standard test method. In addition, field observation was made on the case study project. As thernresult, unlike the sand-bitumen mix sealant which has failed all the envisaged physical and mechanicalrntests, the rubber membrane has exhibited incredible resistance to oil, UV, heat and abrasion.rnFurthermore, the rubber membrane attained an elongation, tensile, adhesion and cohesion strength,rn22.2%, 7.4%, 140% and 229.2% higher than the requirement in the respective order whilst thernmeasured hardness and compression sets were within the permissible range. Additionally, during thernfield observation of the case study project, different types of joint sealant failures at different severityrnlevels (medium =75%) and (low =25%) were detected. Also, initial and maintenance cost comparisonsrnmade between the three sealants revealed that application of silicone sealant to seal the joints costsrnalmost 200% and 1572% more than rubber membrane and Sand-Bitumen joint sealant in theirrnrespective order. Therefore, this research concluded that, from the alternative sealants, rubberrnmembrane has endowed potential to replace the renowned silicon sealant. In addition, in this research,rnbased on the scope and limitations of this research, recommendations were made.

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Evaluation Of Sand-bitumen Mix And Rubber Membrane  Joint Sealants For Ongoing Rigid Pavements In Ethiopia Case Of Ditchoto Galafi Concrete Road Project

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