Experience In Surface Crack Sealing On Rigid Pavement Of A Road Section

Abstract

This study analyzes the technical and economic performance of surface crack sealing in rigid concrete pavements, considering that this type of deterioration is one of the main causes of premature failures in road infrastructure. International organizations have indicated that pavement cracking is associated with a high percentage of early maintenance interventions, generating significant technical and budgetary impacts on road management systems. In Ecuador, institutional reports indicate that a considerable portion of the rigid pavement road network presents microcracks and macrocracks, many of which lack post-intervention monitoring. The objective of this research was to compare the performance of two crack sealing alternatives applied under real field conditions: a low-viscosity epoxy resin and a nationally manufactured polyurethane sealant. The analysis was based on four main criteria: adhesion, waterproofing capacity, physical behavior over time, and economic feasibility. The methodological procedure included the identification of non-structural surface cracks verified through ultrasonic testing, technical preparation of the cracks, controlled application of the sealing materials, and periodic monitoring of their performance. The results showed that the epoxy resin presented better technical performance in terms of adhesion and waterproofing, producing a more rigid and continuous seal with greater resistance to surface wear. In contrast, the polyurethane sealant demonstrated greater flexibility and better adaptation to dynamic cracks, as well as economic advantages related to its lower cost and faster application time.