What are the long-term effects of neglecting joint resealing in concrete pavements located in freeze-thaw environments?

Joints in concrete pavements are designed to allow for expansion and contraction of the concrete slabs due to temperature changes. Joint sealants prevent water and incompressible materials (like dirt and rocks) from entering these joints. In freeze-thaw environments, neglecting joint resealing has several detrimental long-term effects. Water that enters unsealed joints can freeze and expand, exerting pressure on the concrete and causing it to crack and deteriorate. This freeze-thaw action leads to spalling (surface chipping) and cracking along the joint edges. The accumulated water can also saturate the subbase layer, weakening its support and leading to pumping, where water and fine particles are ejected from under the slab due to traffic loading. This erosion of the subbase creates voids, which can cause the concrete slabs to rock and settle, leading to faulting, which is a difference in elevation between adjacent slabs. Incompressible materials that enter the joints can restrict the slabs' ability to expand, leading to compressive stresses that cause blowups, where the pavement buckles upward. The combination of freeze-thaw damage, pumping, faulting, and blowups significantly reduces the service life of the concrete pavement, increases maintenance costs, and compromises ride quality and safety. Timely joint resealing is a cost-effective preventive maintenance measure that protects the concrete pavement from these damaging effects, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for more expensive repairs or reconstruction.