EXPERT ADVICE
Crack Filling and Crack Sealing
Continued from page 32
all asphalt pavements crack. Cracks in asphalt pavements are
inevitable. Neglect and lack of proper maintenance lead to
accelerated cracking and/or potholing, further reducing the
serviceability of the pavement.
Considering the investments in new pavements and preserving
the existing structures has been the focus of national transpor-
tation agencies. As the result of extensive research programs
funded by Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) and
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), it has been amply
demonstrated and documented that sealing cracks in flexi-
ble pavements is a sound preventive maintenance procedure,
which adds many years to the life of the pavement, especially
when used in conjunction with other preventive techniques
such as slurry seal, chip seals and sealcoating. According to
National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), 94% high-
ways in the US are paved with asphalt and the practice of
crack sealing has been used for decades quite effectively for
their preservation and maintenance.
For More Information On This Advertiser Please Visit www.CallAPE.com/e-inquiry
www.callape.com
The U. S. Army Corp of Engineers, CRRL, undertook a na-
tional survey of the crack sealing practices of the Department
Of Transportation of all 50 states. It was concluded that 45
states utilized crack sealing under their standard pavement
maintenance program. Even the states that did not do crack
sealing, recognized that cracks in their pavements were a prob-
lem. States with numerous freeze-thaw cycles cited that;
• Crack sealing is an important procedure that must be ad-
dressed yearly.
• Crack sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to
prolong the pavement life, as much as 3- 8 years.
The terms crack filling and crack sealing are often confused
as being one and the same. Not true, they are different. Al-
though little distinction has been made in the past between
crack filling and sealing, the purpose of each should be clearly
understood so that the most cost-effective and long lasting
crack treatment is used.
Crack sealing is the placement of specialized materials either above
Continued on page 36
For More Information On This Advertiser Please Visit www.CallAPE.com/e-inquiry
[34]
1.800.210.5923