Patent ID: 8790038

Claim:
A method for preparing an expansion joint within a channel between two adjacent road surfaces, with a gap at the channel bottom, the method comprising: preparing the channel with two non-parallel sides, each side extending from an adjacent road surface to a bottom side of the channel at an angle of 100 to 170 degrees from the channel bottom; placing a backer rod within the gap; filling at least a portion of the gap with a binder; placing a plate over the gap; positioning flexible material over the plate and extending beyond the plate in each direction, wherein opposing ends of the flexible material contact the channel bottom; covering the flexible material, the channel bottom and at least a portion of the sides of the channel with at least one layer of aggregate chips and a binder so as to fill the channel to at least the top of the road surface; wherein the flexible material is comprised of a heat resistant and pliable plastic.