SECTION 408 — CLEANING AND SEALING CRACKS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT 400-29 — CLEANING AND SEALING CRACKS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT
408.01 Description.
This work includes the cleaning and sealing of cracks and open joints for all sizes in asphalt concrete pavements. The terms “crack” and “open joint” are used synonymously.
408.02 Materials.
Sealant. Use one of the following:
a.Sealant. Use joint and crack sealant, hot applied, conforming to ASTM D6690 Type II.
b.Asphalt. Use fiber reinforced modified asphalt compound consisting of: ● Modified Asphalt Binder. Use a blend of modified PGAB and crumb rubber chemically bonded to produce a modified binder that meets the following: ○ Complies with AASHTO M 320, M 332, R 29 and R 92 and meets the requirements of PG 64E-28. ○ Ensure that the elastic recovery at 10°C (AASHTO T 301) is not less than 70 percent. ○ Consists of 7 percent crumb rubber from tires. ○ Provide certification of the composition and PG grade. ● Asphalt Cement. Ensure that the high temperature grade (AASHTO M 320) of the neat asphalt cement does not exceed PG 58-XX. ● Crumb Rubber. Ensure that the maximum size of the crumb rubber is 80 mesh. ● Chemical Bonding Agent. Ensure that the chemical bonding agent is heat stable and compatible with asphalt and rubber. ● Fibers. Use polyester, fully drawn fibers from the Approved Materials List. Use the following for fiber reinforced modified asphalt compound properties: ○ Fiber concentration ― 6 percent to 8 percent by weight of modified asphalt binder ○ Uniform dispersion of fibers Blend the fibers with the modified asphalt binder according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. Filler. Use Class 4.75 HMA for filler.
Part 400 — Asphalt Pavements August 2025
400-30 SECTION 408 — CLEANING AND SEALING CRACKS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT Blotter Material. Use 3060 granulated coal slag abrasive.
408.03 Construction Methods.
Equipment. Equipment will be subject to the approval of the Engineer and maintained in a satisfactory working condition at all times.
a.Air Compressor. Use air compressors that are portable and capable of furnishing not less than 100 cu ft of air per minute at not less than 120 psi at the nozzle. Ensure that t he compressor is equipped with traps that will maintain the compressed air free of oil and water.
b.H ot Air Lance . Use a hot air lance for cleaning, drying, rejuvenating and heating sidewalls of cracks that provides clean, oil-free compressed air at a volume of 100 cubic feet per minute, a pressure of 120 pounds per square inch and a temperature of 2000°F. Ensure that the lance is designed such that the flame does not come in contact with the pavement.
c.H and Tools. Hand tools such as brooms, shovels, metal bars with chisel shaped ends, tamping equipment and other miscellaneous tools which may be used to accomplish this work.
d.M elting Kettle. Use a unit to melt the sealant that is a double boiler, indirect fired type with a heating capacity of 550°F. Fill the space between the inner and outer shells with suitable heat transfer oil or substitute having a flash point of not less than 530°F. Equip the kettle with a satisfactory means of agitating the crack sealer at all times. This may be accomplished by continuous stirring with mechanically operated paddles and/or by a continuous circulating gear pump attached to the heating unit. Ensure that the kettle is equipped with thermostatic control calibrated between 200°F and 550°F with a +5°F accuracy and a temperature measuring device located such that the Engineer may safely check the temperature of the sealant material.
e.W and Applicator . Use a wand applicator that is capable of applying the sealant to a minimum 2-in. wide overband. Connect the applicator to the holding tank through a heated applicator hose that ensures operator safety and allows operator control of material flow. Mount a device that can bypass material into a holding tank should the applicator nozzle shut off. Preparation of Surface.
a.General. Apply material when the ambient temperature is 40°F or above and less than 90°F. Do not apply when the pavement is wet or when frost, snow, or ice is present. If such conditions are present, drying of the cracked areas to be sealed with a hot compressed air lance may be performed with the approval of the Engineer. Do not apply sealant to traffic loops, weigh-in-motion loops, or any other vehicular loop detectors in the roadway pavement. Replace damaged roadway loops at no cost to the Department.
Part 400 — Asphalt Pavements August 2025
SECTION 408 — CLEANING AND SEALING CRACKS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT 400-31
b.Cleaning. Clean all cracks by removing all moisture, dirt, foreign material, and loose edges.
c.D ebris Removal . Immediately remove all loose material and debris from the pavement surface. Sealing of Cracks. • Do not seal cracks less than 1/16-in. in width. • Adhere to the following for cracks 1/16-in. to 2 in. in width. ○ Preparation of Sealer. Heat and apply at the temperature specified by the manufacturer. ○ Heating of Cracks. Apply within three minutes of the cracks being heated. ○ Installation of Sealer. Comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the following. Fill the cracks completely and band with a 2 -in. width of sealant centered directly over the crack. Ensure that t he middle portion of the sealant band project s between 1/16 in. and 3/16 in. above the pavement profile. Feather the band until the edges are flush with the pavement. Apply additional sealant if it has sunk into the crack, leaving a crevice. Apply to prevent voids or entrapped air. Spread blotter material over the hot sealant to prevent lifting and tracking. • F illing of Cracks 2 -in. or Greater in Width. Coat all contact surfaces of cracks greater than a 1-in. depth with sealant material. Fill with Class 4.75 HMA, compacted by rolling and tamping, and seal with two or more adjacent passes of the wand. • A lligator Cracks . Seal only the cracks on the perimeter or boundary of the alligator cracked area.
408.04 Method of Measurement.
Cleaning and Sealing Cracks is measured by the linear feet of cracks sealed. Blotter material is not measured separately for payment.
408.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities at the Contract unit price as follows. Pay Item Pay Unit Cleaning and Sealing Cracks in Asphalt Concrete Pavement LF The price constitutes full compensation for furnishing and applying all materials; labor, equipment, and tools; cleaning of cracks and debris removal; maintenance and protection of traffic; and all incidentals necessary to finish the work, complete and accepted.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Blue Book), 2022 (Aug 2025 compilation) Edition. Pages 248–250 of 951. View official source ↗