Author: Olivia Kortepeter

The J-Band Blog

In Case Studies , Project Reviews

Northern Ohio State Route 168 Exceeds Expectations with VRAM

Large gap above the centerline joint
The most vulnerable part of any new asphalt pavement is typically the longitudinal construction joint. Achieving adequate density at the intersection of pavement lanes is notoriously more difficult than elsewhere on the mat. Lower density translates to more air voids, allowing water and air intrusion to prematurely degrade the pavement.  ...
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April 3, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter
In Research and Studies , RPE , Rumble Strips , Safety , Specialty Products

NRRA: Materials-Based Methods to Improve Rumble Strip Durability

Installation of Sinusoidal Rumble Strips (”Mumble Strips”) in Wood County, WI
In 2023, the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) issued a call for innovation for preventative roadway maintenance and this project answered: Materials-Based Methods to Improve Rumble Strip Durability.   The team of researchers behind this study began with the following questions: Does the installation of milled rumble strips in new pavement...
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March 31, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter
In Case Studies , RPE , Specialty Products

A Solution to Joint Density Failure: J-Band + Rapid Penetrating Emulsion (RPE)

J-Band
Achieving adequate density at the longitudinal joint of a road is challenging. Well-constructed joints typically have 1-2% lower density than the mat, while poorly constructed joints can be 5-10% lower. When the density at the joint is considerably less than that of the mat, the joint area has more air...
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March 4, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter
In Case Studies , Project Reviews

I-72 Project Review: Staying Strong After 8 Years

view looking down an interstate highway
Every road manager knows that longitudinal joints are typically the first part of the pavement to fail, but why does this happen and how can it be stopped?   Longitudinal joints are the weakest point of the pavement because they have a higher concentration of air voids than the rest of...
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February 25, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter
In Case Studies , Project Reviews

How Springfield, Illinois’s SR-29 Has Stood the Test of Time

IL-29 Close Up
How often are you repairing major roads? After years of wear and tear and damage from the elements, longitudinal joints are typically the first part of a pavement to fail. Water seeps into air voids at the most permeable part of the road and leads to premature maintenance and repair....
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February 13, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter
In Business , Great Asphalt Moments , Infrastructure

How J-Band Revolutionizes Road Construction by Fixing Longitudinal Joint Failure

Truck drives down the road, spraying J-Band on the centerline
https://youtu.be/wpk66c6BCk8?si=oAjy6aaYDwx2Ix3Y For decades, road managers have tried to find a reliable fix for the consistent weakness in the center of every road. Over time, longitudinal construction joints are the first part of the pavement to crack and fail. Topical solutions have not been able to address the issue completely and...
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January 27, 2025 by Olivia Kortepeter