Review on asphalt plug joints: Performance, materials, testing and installation

• Asphalt plug joints are damaged and failed due to different mechanisms.
• Joint structure optimization reduces stress concentration.
• Binder properties are related to joint performance.
• Performance based material specifications can be developed.

Asphalt plug joints (APJs) have been used worldwide because of its low cost, ease of installation and repair, low instance of snowplow damage, low traffic noise and ride comfort. The service life of APJs is relatively short. Extending the service life is thus becoming necessary by considering improved materials, structure design and performance testing. This paper provides a review on the field performance, materials used, testing methods and installation procedures of APJs. The literature review shows that the performance of APJs varies significantly worldwide. APJs are damaged and failed due to different mechanisms and performance based material specifications are needed to develop in accordance with the failure mechanisms. The joint structure can be optimized to reduce the concentrated stress and strain at the critical locations based on finite element analysis. APJs are simple but require careful construction, installation and quality control to ensure the good performance. It indicates that APJs can perform satisfactorily by taking into account proper joint design and material selection, suitable testing evaluation and careful field installation.