Are you interested in optimizing road maintenance to save time, resources, and potentially lives? By applying a void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM) such as J-Band, you can experience fewer road repairs in your future. Therefore, saving time, money, and lives.
J-Band is applied under the pavement surface where the centerline joint will be installed and fills the voids within the pavement, which reduces permeability in the most critical area of the road. By reducing pavement permeability, roads will last longer, and agencies can avoid repetitive maintenance on the roadway. By reducing future road construction and having less crews on the road, J-Band is also an investment in safety.
Our specialty products team assisted with a VRAM application on Y-54 and 230th Avenue in Clinton County, Iowa, this past September.
Project Details
- Owner: Clinton County
- Prime Paving Contractor: Manatt’s
- Applicator: ProTack
- Location: Clinton County, Iowa
- Dates Constructed: September 18-21, 2023
Representatives from Clinton County, ProTack, Manatt’s, and Asphalt Materials, Inc were present during the application process.
VRAM Application
On September 18, 2023, VRAM was applied on the centerline joint from intersection Y54 and 30, going north for 4.75 miles. The plan was for the VRAM to be applied over a hot-in-place recycled mix. Application began around 2:00 p.m., with an ambient temperature around 78°F. The existing surface temperature was 99°F and the material on board was 325°F.
The ProTack team was instructed to apply the VRAM a foot off the joint that was present. Manatt’s put down centerline marks for ProTack to follow for application. Band width on this project was targeted at 18” wide with a target rate of 0.98 lb./ft. In total 2,891 gallons were applied over 26,539 feet for an average of 0.93 lb./ft.
Paving Observations
Paving began on September 20, 2023, by Manatt’s around 9:23 a.m. The ambient temperature was 65°F, while the surface temperature was 66°F. Paving continued the next day September 21, around 8:20 a.m.
The Manatt’s plant was 30 minutes away from the job site, so the team had 14 trucks running throughout the day. The mix was a fine graded mix, and the paver used was a CAT AO1055F, which was fed by a Weiler E2850 shuttle buggy.
The mix temperature behind the screed averaged around 270°F throughout the day with ¼” migration. There were 2 CAT rollers that had made three passes each on a vibratory mode. There was also one finish roller.
About J-Band
Multiple DOTs have discovered that J-Band doesn’t cost. It pays! Since 2002, J-Band has been used to save infrastructure funds in 25 states and the District of Columbia. An investment in protecting the longitudinal joint helps roads last up to fiver years longer and typically delivers a return on investment of three to five times its cost.
For a closer look at projects that have incorporated a VRAM during construction and to discover the benefits of longer-lasting roads in terms of cost savings, time efficiency, and safety, you can explore our interactive map here.
Editor’s Notes
J-Band®, CCAP® and T-Bond® are registered trademarks of Asphalt Materials, Inc. AMIBIND™, AMIBOND™, AMICYCLE™, AMIGUARD™ and AMISEAL™ are trademarks of Asphalt Materials, Inc.
J-Band® was created in the labs of the Heritage Research Group (HRG) and is a product of Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI). To learn more about J-Band, visit www.thejointsolution.com
