Compression Joint Seal COMPRESSION JOINT SEAL
Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Compression joint seal for bridge decks and approach slabs .
B.Replacement of existing joint seal from bridge deck and approach slabs .
1.2 RELATED SECTIONS Not Used
1.3 References
A.ASTM C 307 : Tensile Strength of Chemical -Resistant Mortar, Grouts, and Monolithic Sur facings
B.ASTM C 579 : Compressive Strength of Chemical -Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes
C.ASTM C 661 : Indentation Hardness of Elastomeric – Type Sealants by Means of a Durometer
D.ASTM C 711 : Low -Temperature Flexibility and Tenacity of One- Part, Elastomeric, Solvent -Release Type Sealants
E.ASTM C 719: Adhesion and Cohesion of Elastomeric Joint Sealants Under Cyclic Movement (Hockman Cycle)
F.ASTM D 412 : Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers - Tension
G.ASTM D 545: Preformed Expansion Joint Fillers for Concrete Construction (Nonextruding and Resilient Types)
H.ASTM D 3542: Preformed Polychloroprene Elastomeric Joint Seals for Bridges
I.ASTM D 3574: Flexible Cellular Materials – Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams Compression Joint Seal
J.ASTM D 4070 : Adhesive Lubricant for Installation of Preformed Elastomeric Bridge Compression Seals in Concrete Structures
K.ASTM D 4285: Indicating Oil or Water in Compressed Air
1.4 Definitions
A.Compression Joint Seal – A watertight joint seal placed in compression before installation and kept in compression during its life.
1.5 Submittals
A.Manufacturer’s product data sheet and installation instructions for review .
B.Removal Plan for review when required.
1.Include method of removal and preparation of existing surface.
2.Equipment to be used.
C.Fit of the joint seal for information.
1.Include length of joint opening per plan and length of compression joint seal to be provided a. Do not include turned ends in the length of the joint opening or joint seal.
b.Provide joint seal which fits joint opening without any required joint stretching.
D.Repair procedure for review when required.
1.Refer to this Section , Article 3.3 C1 .
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Compression Joint Seal Type A
A.General
1.Provide system including foam, surface coating, sealing bands, and epoxy adhesive from the same supplier .
2.Provide m ovem ent rating as shown .
3.Provide joint seal capable of movements of plus or minus 60 percent of nominal material size.
4.Provide factory fabricated transitions at corners. Compression Joint Seal
B.Materials
1.Polyurethane open cell foam
a.Use 100 percent acrylic, water based, impregnation
b.Meet the requirements of Table 1. Table 1 Physical Properties Requirement Test Method Temperature Service Range -40⁰F to 185⁰F ASTM C 711 Density 6 lb/ft3 min. ASTM D 545 Elongation 150% min. ASTM D 3574
2.Surface Coating and Sealant Bands
a.Use highway -grade , UV resistant, and fuel resistant silicone .
b.Meet the requirements of Table 2. Table 2 Physical Properties Requirement Test Method Tensile Strength 175 psi min. ASTM D 412 Elongation at break >600% min. ASTM D 412 Movement Capability ±50% ASTM C 719 Hardness (Shore A) 20-30 ASTM C 661
2.2 Compression Joint Seal Type B
A.Provide m ovement rating shown.
B.Materials
1.Preformed Elastomeric Joint Seal
a.Provide seal height at least 90 percent of the nominal width.
b.Meet the physical properties of ASTM D 3542 .
2.Adhesive lubricant according to ASTM D 4070.
a.Capable of bonding to concrete or steel surfaces Compression Joint Seal
2.3 Epoxy Grout
A.Use a non- shrink epoxy grout patching material.
B.Provide a minimum compressive strength of 3,000 psi in 1 day and 5,000 psi in 28 days according to ASTM C 579.
C.Provide a minimum tensile strength of 2,000 psi according to ASTM C 307.
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 General
A.Follow manufacturer’s recommendations and installation instructions.
B.Store Compression Joint Seal Type A indoors at room temperature until needed at time of installation.
3.2 Preparation
A.Remove existing joint system according to the authorized Removal Plan when performing a joint replacement.
1.Avoid damaging existing concrete.
B.Concrete contact surfaces
1.Compression Joint Seal Type A
a.Remove loose p articles and weak concrete.
b.Prepare concrete joint surfaces by sandblasting. 1) Verify no oil or water contamination according to ASTM D 4285 . 2) Remove unsound materials, adhesive, and contamina nts.
2.Compression Joint Seal Type B
a.Provide joint openings that are smooth, true and vertical. 1) Provide a blockout width for the joint within 1/8 inch for joints less than or equal to 2½ inch and ¼ inch for joints greater than 2½ inch of the width shown. a) The blockout width corresponds to the appropriate ambient temperature at the time of concrete placement. Compression Joint Seal 2) Saw cut the vertical joint opening in concrete surfaces as required, to achieve the appropriate width and depth as shown. 3) Verify j oint opening faces are parallel and the width does not vary by more than 1/8 inch over 10 ft along the length of the joint. 4) Repair vertical surface imperfections, including saw blade gouges, greater than 1/16 inch with epoxy grout.
b.Prepare finished concrete joint surfaces by sandblasting. 1) Verify no oil or water in compressed air according to ASTM D 4285. 2) Remove unsound materials, adhesive, and contaminants.
C.Metal contact surfaces
1.Prepare metal contact surfaces by sandblasting to rough white metal.
a.Verify no oil or water in compressed air according to ASTM D 4285.
2.Solvent -wipe immediately before applying epoxy adhesive primer.
3.3 Seal Installation
A.Verify the joint seal size based on the prepared surface and installation temperature.
B.Compression Joint Seal Type A
1.Install the joint seal according to manufacturer’s specifications .
2.Apply epoxy adhesive to the substrate.
a.Prepare the joint again according to this Section, Article 3.2 and manufacturer’s recommendations if the epoxy cures before placement of seal .
3.Install joint seal at least 1/2 inch below the traffic surface , as shown, or according to manufacturer ’s installation instructions , whichever is larger.
4.Clean silicone coating at joint edges and apply sealant bands according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions .
5.Coat exposed foam ends with a light coating of silicone.
C.Compression Joint Seal Type B
1.Supply the longest continuous length of compression seal possible.
a.Field splices are allowed, when required by phasing .
b.Field splice according to manufacturer ’s requirements. Compression Joint Seal
2.Install compression joint seal according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
a.Cut the compression joint seal length to the exact width of the pavement.
b.Cut upturn and downturn bends according to manufacturer’s installation instructions .
3.Install compression joint seal so the top of the seal is 1/4 inch ± 1/16 inch below the traffic surface, as shown, or according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, whichever is larger.
D.Insert compression joint seal into the joint blockout with tools that will not damage the seal.
E.Install the compression seal without stretching more than 4 percent .
1.Calculate s tretch by dividing the installed length by the original length.
a.Stretch greater than 4 percent is unacceptable and requires that the seal be replaced.
2.Provide the Engineer the calculated stretch.
3.4 Watertight Integrity Test
A.Perform a watertight integrity test on the joint system at least five calendar days after the joint has been installed.
1.Test full width or staged width of the joint system as shown .
2.Perform the watertight integrity test in the presence of the Engineer.
B.Pond at least 2 inch of water over the joint for 15 minutes where: 1 Joints are over steel or concrete surfaces that can be inspected.
a.Inspect the steel and concrete surfaces for evidence of dripping water or moisture for the initial 15 minutes and for 45 minutes after the ponded water has been released.
2.Joints are over steel or concrete surfaces that cannot be inspected.
a.Measure and record th e initial depth of the ponded water.
b.Measure and record the depth of the ponded water after 15 minutes.
c.The test can be stopped i f depth of ponded water has not changed 1/8 inch or more .
d.Continue the test for an additional 15 minutes i f depth of water has changed more than 1/8 inch. 1) Measure and record the depth of the ponded water. 2) The test is considered a failure i f the water level has changed by an additional 1/8 inch or more. Compression Joint Seal
C.Locate the places in the joint system where l eakage is occurring and take measures necessary to stop the leakage.
1.Submit a repair procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
2.Repair joint system according to the authorized manufacturer’s recommended repair procedure.
3.Repeat watertight integrity test.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1156–1162 of 1,331.