Sawing and Sealing Joints in Bituminous Pavements to Control Cracking

Status: Complete
Report Date: 07/27/2026

Summary:

Sawing and sealing roads is a preventive crack-control strategy that cities and counties across Minnesota have used for decades to reduce unwanted cracking and improve maintenance predictability. However, its effectiveness depends on factors such as cracking resistance, thermal contraction in cold weather, joint construction, moisture conditions, freeze–thaw susceptibility and base and subgrade support. This project provides MnDOT and local transportation agencies with an updated evaluation of this strategy by comparing a lower-cost unmodified Binder B pavement combined with sawing and sealing against a higher-cost polymer-modified Binder C pavement without sawing and sealing. Findings indicate that saw and seal can be a practical crack-control strategy, particularly for lower-volume asphalt pavements when applied to appropriate candidates and constructed correctly.

Final Deliverables:

Sawing and Sealing Joints in Bituminous Pavements to Control Cracking (Report #2026-23)
Research Summary: Preventive Road Sawing and Sealing to Reduce Maintenance Costs (Research Summary)

Related Materials:

Preventive Road Sawing and Sealing to Reduce Maintenance Costs (Blog Post)

Related Research:

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator: Mihai Marasteanu

Co-Principal Investigator: Manik Barman, Jia-Liang Le, Mugurel Turos

Technical Liaison: Tom Wesolowski

Project Coordinator: Barbara Fraley