ILLBRUCK WILLSEAL BRIDGE JOINT SEAL

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently completed a field performance evaluation of Illbruck Willseal at one of two experimental evaluation locations. An expansion joint in the deck of an overpass bridge on U.S. 62 was scaled with Willseal precompressed foam sealant in October, 1993. The maximum opening of the joint is 89 mm (3 1/2 in.). Two sticks of Willseal, each sized to seal one half of the opening, were used. One stick was attached to each joint face with the adhesive backing which is part of the Willseal material. In addition to the Willseal backing, a Sika brand adhesive was applied to the joint face before the Willseal was attached to it. The two sticks were fastened to each other in the center of the joint with the Sika adhesive. The sealed joint has been monitored since application by ODOT's Office of Research. The Willseal performed adequately through September 27, 1996, when the last scheduled survey was done. At that time, no failures could be detected and the Willseal was still providing a watertight seal. On December 2, 1996, an unscheduled survey of the Willseal application was done to get a photograph of the sealed joint. At that time, it was noted that the sealant had failed where the two sticks of Willseal had been fastened together by the Sika adhesive. Expansion joints in decks of two bridges on I-44 were sealed with Willseal in September, 1995. At this location, a single stick of Willseal was used in each joint. The adhesive backing, plus Sika adhesive, was used to attach the Willseal to one joint face. It was attached to the other face by Sika adhesive only. The sealant was performing well (no failures) at that location, as of December 2, 1996. This location is currently scheduled to be monitored until September, 1998.