Across the state of Illinois, specifications encourage the increased use of Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM), commonly known as a Longitudinal Joint Sealant (LJS) in Illinois, to prohibit longitudinal joint deterioration.
J-Band®, Asphalt Material, Inc. (AMI)’s premier VRAM, works by filling air voids within the longitudinal joint from the bottom up. This reduces permeability and protects the pavement from the elements.
Together, Evergreen Roadworks™ and Ambraw Asphalt Materials worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to preserve IL-33 using VRAM.
Project Details
- Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- Prime Paving Contractor: Ambraw Asphalt Materials
- Applicator: Evergreen Roadworks
- Location: IL-33, Crawford County, Illinois
- Date Constructed: June 3, 2024
VRAM/LJS Application
On June 3, LJS was applied in 18” bands with a target rate of 1.47 lb./ft. to each side of the middle lane for 2.05 miles of IL-33 from Glendale Rd to Park Forest Drive.
The application began at 7:10 a.m. on a new binder course with a surface temperature of 83F. Material on board was 307F, which cooled to 130F in four minutes. 15,520 total pounds of LJS were applied over 10,725 feet. Sand was placed on top of the bands as paving was scheduled for the next day.
Personnel that were present on the job were crew members from Evergreen Roadworks and Ambraw Asphalt Materials, Garrett Hixenbaugh from IDOT and Cody Egan from AMI.
J-Band Application on IL-33
Paving Observations
Hot mix asphalt paving began at 7:30am on June 4 with an ambient temperature of 68F and an existing surface temperature of 82F. The equipment used for this project was a RoadTec RP-195e rubber track paver, Hamm 120i and Hamm 110i steel drum rollers, Hamm HD-12 steel drum roller and a Hyster 350 steel drum roller.
The rolling pattern had two breakdown rollers working in tandem in vibratory mode making 7 passes, one intermediate roller in vibratory mode making 4 passes on the inside and 5 passes on the outside, and one finish roller making 5 passes on the outside, 1 pass in the middle and 4 passes on the inside all in static mode.
A clear shadow was present after the roller breakdown, showing effective migration up of J-Band and compaction of the HMA overlaying the VRAM.
HMA Paving on top of J-Band in IL-33
Through Evergreen Roadwork’s application of J-Band, IDOT was able to protect the most vulnerable part of its roadway, the longitudinal joint.
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.
