Asphalt paving seam gasket

A gasket for use with an asphalt material in sealing a seam between a cold joint of an initial section of asphalt pavement and a hot joint of a subsequent section of asphalt pavement, the gasket integrally comprising:

• a vertically oblong seam wall, having the shape of a right-rectangular prism, wherein the seam wall has a vertical seam wall height and a horizontal seam wall thickness, and wherein the seam wall height is approximately equal to a compacted thickness of the initial section of asphalt pavement, and wherein the seam wall has a longitudinal cold joint face, which is oriented toward the cold joint of the initial section of asphalt pavement, and wherein the seam wall has an opposing longitudinal hot joint face, which is oriented toward the hot joint of the subsequent section of asphalt pavement, and wherein the seam wall is adapted and configured to provide support for the cold joint during compaction of the initial section of asphalt pavement;
• a ramp extension, having the shape of a right-triangular prism, wherein the ramp extension extends from the hot joint face of the seam wall, and wherein the ramp extension has a ramp incline and a vertical ramp face, which defines a ramp height, and a horizontal ramp base, which defines a ramp length, and wherein the ramp height is less than the seam wall height, and wherein the ramp extension is adapted and configured to serve as a tire ramp for vehicles to access the initial section of asphalt pavement prior to application of the subsequent section of asphalt pavement;
• and
• a substantially flat, horizontal footing sheet, having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the footing sheet underlies the seam wall and the ramp extension, and wherein the footing sheet has a cold joint wing, which extends beneath the initial section of asphalt pavement, and wherein the footing sheet has a hot joint wing, which extends beneath and is substantially coextensive with the ramp base, and wherein the footing sheet is secured to a substrate below the initial section of asphalt pavement by multiple anchoring means wherein the hot joint face of the seam wall has a top edge which is beveled.