CONCRETE MANAGEMENT:

DISTRESS IN RIGID PAVEMENT

HABIB ABDURRAHMAN

All Images were taken from:

Guide for Concrete Pavement Distress Assessments and
Solutions, National Concrete Pavement Technology (CP
Tech) (2018)
REFERENCES
1. ASTM D 6433: Standard Practice For Roads And Parking Lots Pavement
Condition Index Surveys
2. ASTM E 1778: Standard Terminology Relating to Pavement Distress
3. Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga Direktorat Pembinaan Jalan Kota: Tata Cara
Pemeliharaan Perkerasan Kaku (Rigid Pavement) No. 10/T/BNKT/1991
4. Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga (2017): Panduan Pemilihan Teknologi
Pemeliharaan Preventif Perkerasan Jalan
5. Kementerian PUPR (2017): Diklat Perkerasan Kaku – Modul 1 Konsep Dasar
dan Konstruksi Perkerasan Kaku
6. National Concrete Pavement Technology (CP Tech) Center at Iowa State
University (2018): Guide for Concrete Pavement Distress Assessments and
Solutions: Identification, Causes, Prevention, and Repair
7. Minnesota Department of Transportation (2011): Pavement Distress
Identification Manual
8. Peraturan Menteri Pekerjaan Umum Republik Indonesia Nomor
13/PRT/M/2011 Tentang Tata Cara Pemeliharaan dan Penilikan Jalan
9. The National Center for Pavement Preservation Michigan State University
(2004): Colorado DOT Distress Manual For HMA and PCC Pavements
10. U.S. Department of Transportation, The Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) (2014): Distress Identification Manual for the Long-Term Pavement
Performance Program
TYPE OF RIGID PAVEMENT

Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP)

Perkerasan Kaku Bersambung Tanpa Tulangan
Jenis yang paling umum digunakan karena biaya yang relatif
murah dalam pelaksanaannya dibanding jenis lainnya.

Sambungan susut umumnya dibuat setiap antara 3,6 m dan

6 m (di Indonesia umumnya antara 4,5 m dan 5 m).
Sambungan ini mempunyai jarak yang relatif dekat sehingga
retak tidak akan terbentuk di dalam pelat sampai akhir umur
layan dari perkerasan tersebut. Karena itu pada JPCP,
pemuaian dan penyusutan perkerasan diatasi melalui
sambungan.

Pada JPCP, tidak ada tulangan pada pelat, kecuali

ruj/dowel yang diletakkan pada sambungan susut
tersebut, dan batang pengikat (tie bar) yang terletak pada
sambungan memanjang

Sumber: [5]
TYPE OF RIGID PAVEMENT

Jointed Reinforced Concrete Pavement (JRCP)

Perkerasan Kaku Bersambung Dengan Tulangan
Serupa dengan JPCP namun ukuran pelat lebih panjang dan
ada tambahan tulangan pada pelatnya. Jarak sambungan
umumnya antara 7,5 m dan 12 m, meskipun ada juga yang
jarak sambungannya sebesar 30 m

Penulangan pada perkerasan kaku bersambung dengan

tulangan bukan dimaksudkan untuk memikul beban secara
struktural, tetapi untuk "memegang" retak agar tetap rapat

Karena panjang pelat lebih besar dari pada JPCP, retak tetap
terjadi pada interval yang sama, karena itu JRCP masih
mempunyai satu atau dua retakan pada pelatnya

Sumber: [5]
TYPE OF RIGID PAVEMENT

Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement(CRCP)

Perkerasan Kaku Menerus Dengan Tulangan
Perkerasan kaku menerus dengan tulangan adalah pelat
dengan jumlah tulangan yang cukup banyak tanpa
sambungan susut. Jumlah tulangan yang digunakan pada
arah memanjang umumnya antara 0,6 % dan 0,8 % dari luas
penampang melintang beton

Retak rambut terjadi pada CRCP, tetapi bukan merupakan

masalah bagi kinerjanya. Karakteristik retak terdiri dari
beberapa retakkan, umumnya dengan jarak antara 0,6 m - 2,4 Skema perkerasan kaku menerus dengan tulangan
m. Retak-retak tersebut “dipegang” oleh tulangan yang ada
sehingga agregat interlocking-nya serta penyaluran gaya
geser masih dapat terjadi

Jika interlocking geser agregat tidak dijaga, maka kerusakan

"punch out" pada tepi perkerasan akan terjadi, yang
merupakan tipikal kerusakan perkerasan kaku menerus
dengan tulangan
Sambungan pelaksanaan melintang dan tulangan pada
perkerasan menerus dengan tulangan
Sumber: [5]
TYPE OF DISTRESSES

CRACKING JOINT DEFICIENCIES

1. Joint Seal Damage (Transverse
1. Corner Breaks and Longitudinal)
2. Durability “D” Cracking 2. Spalling Joints (Transverse and
3. Longitudinal Cracking Longitudinal)
4. Transverse and Diagonal
Cracking

MISCELLANEOUS
1. Blowups
SURFACE DEFECTS 2. Faulting
3. Patch Deterioration
1. Map Cracking and Scaling 4. Water Bleeding and Pumping
2. Polished Aggregate 5. Punchouts (CRCP)
3. Popouts 6. Lane-Shoulder Dropoff
4. Plastic Shrinkage 7. Lane-Shoulder Separation
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks
Slab fracture along a line intersecting the adjacent transverse and
longitudinal joints at a distance less than or equal to one-half the slab
length on both sides, measured from the corner of the slab.

Severity Levels
Low - The crack is not spalled for more than 10% of the length of the
crack. There is no measurable faulting, and the corner piece is not
broken into two or more pieces and has no loss of material.

Med - The crack is spalled at low severity for more than 10% of its total
length or faulting of the crack or joint is less than 1/2 in. (13 mm)
and the corner piece is not broken into two or more pieces
L M

High - The crack is spalled at moderate to high severity for more than 10%
of its total length or faulting of the crack or joint is greater than 1/2
in. (13 mm), or the corner piece is broken into two or more pieces.

H Sumber: [6]
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks
Causes
Corner cracking in concrete pavements typically
develops due to repeated applications of heavy wheel
loads near panel corners that exhibit high deflections
due to poor foundation support and/or poor support of
the transverse and longitudinal panel edges
Poor support of the slab corner could result from one
or more of several mechanisms (e.g., unstable soils,
poor initial compaction, etc.) but is typically a result
of pumping and base/subgrade erosion.
The development of pumping and associated base/subgrade erosion
requires four conditions:
• An erodible base/subgrade material
• Free water in the pavement structure (usually due to surface infiltration
through unsealed joints and crack, along with inadequate drainage to
remove the water)
• Poor mechanical load transfer across the transverse joint, the
longitudinal joint, or both (i.e., high potential for differential movement
across the joints when the slab it loaded)
• Heavy dynamic loads to initiate differential movement across the
joints.
When any one (or more) of these four conditions is removed, pumping
and associated erosion cannot develop, and corner cracking is highly
unlikely.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks

Causes
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks

Causes

Stiffer bases are not necessarily better support under rigid pavements as they fail to
conform to the shape of the curled PCC slabs and may lead to loss of support,
higher curling stresses, and subsequent cracking
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks

Causes
Mechanical Construction

• Heavy loads in wheel paths and slab corners

• Loss of foundation support due to pumping, erosion, slab
curl, or other mechanisms.
• Volume change of subgrade soils (shrinkage, swelling and
• Inappropriate jointing practices that result in acutely angled
frost heave)
panel corners
• Interference between joint ties and dowels that results in
• Presence of relatively wide joints in existing pavement
restraint of slab thermal and moisture movements in
when constructing adjacent lanes or shoulder
corners
• Penetration of plastic concrete mortar into open joints
• Poor transverse joint load transfer (i.e., ineffective or
during construction
missing transverse joint dowels, ineffective aggregate
• Restraint of joint closure in warmer weather by infilled
interlock, etc.)
mortar
• Poor longitudinal edge support (i.e., no widened late or tied
concrete shoulder, missing lane ties, etc.)
• Nonuniform slab support due to inadequate controls on
subgrade and base during original construction
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
1. Corner Breaks

Prevention
Pavement Layer Aspect Issue Consideration
Pavement Structure Joint Sealing and Water that enters and remains in Seal concrete pavement joints (especially the lane-shoulder
(General) Drainage the pavement structure can result in joint) and/or provide edge drains or day lighted aggregate
pumping base to quickly remove water from the pavement structure
Surface Layers (Concrete Joint Sealing Entry of water through unsealed Seal all pavement joints (especially longitudinal lane-
Pavement and Adjacent joints (especially longitudinal shoulder joints) in wet climates, especially when heavy trucks
Lanes or Shoulder) joints) can result in pumping and erodible foundation materials are present
Surface Layers (Concrete Concrete High CTE and contraction Use concrete with the lowest possible CTE (i.e., concrete
Pavement and Adjacent Coefficient of increases slab curl for any aggregate with low CTE, such as limestone, basalt, and
Lanes or Shoulder) Thermal Expansion temperature gradient, especially for granite rather than sandstone and quartz)
(CTE) longer panels
Base or Subgrade Erodibility Pumping and erosion of base or Use bound (stabilized or treated) base and subgrade materials,
subgrade leads to unsupported especially for facilities that carry heavy truck traffic in wet
conditions climates
Base or Subgrade Compaction Poor or inadequate compaction can Ensure that all unbound foundation layers are compacted to
lead to post-construction the specified target densities Ensure base course is
settlement of the base, reducing the homogenous and not segregated when placed
support provided to the slab
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
2. Durability “D” Cracking
“D” Cracking is a distress caused by freeze/thaw expansion of the
coarse aggregate which breaks down the concrete slab over time.
Dark color staining due to saturation near joints and closely spaced
fine crescent shaped cracks may lead to eventual disintegration of the
entire slab.

Severity Levels
Low - The “D” cracks are tight with no missing or loose pieces

Med - The “D” cracks are well-defined and some pieces are loose
or missing

High - The “D” cracking has progressed to a well-developed

pattern with a significant amount of loose material.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
2. Durability “D” Cracking

Causes
Three main factors:
1) the concrete contains aggregates susceptible to D-
cracking in sufficient quantity and size,
2) the concrete is exposed to sufficient moisture, and
3) the concrete is exposed to repeated cycles of freezing
and thawing
Note: Susceptible aggregates generally have higher total
porosity and a higher proportion of medium-sized pores (0.1
to 5 µm), which allows for saturation of a significant
volume of water in freezable pore space
The process begins with water filling the pores in the
susceptible aggregates, which then undergoes cycles of
freezing and thawing during the cold winter months. Since
the pore structure of the aggregates does not facilitate the
easy escape of water, the expansion due to the phase change
from liquid water to ice results in the development of internal
stresses and under repeated freezing and thawing cycles, the
aggregates eventually fracture (see Figure 4.2) or dilate, thus
damaging the surrounding mortar.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
2. Durability “D” Cracking

Prevention
The most obvious and effective way of preventing D-cracking is to avoid the use of susceptible aggregates

Aggregate susceptibility to freeze-thaw deterioration is generally reduced as particle size is reduced. Many
highway agencies have had good success in minimizing D-cracking by reducing the maximum size of
susceptible coarse aggregate to 0.75 inches or less
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking
Cracks that are predominantly parallel to the pavement centerline
caused by a combination of repeated traffic loading, thermal
gradient curling, and repeated moisture loading

Severity Levels
Low - Crack widths < 3 mm with no spalling and no measurable
faulting or well-sealed cracks with a width that cannot be
determined.

Med - Crack widths ≥ 3 mm and < 13 mm; or with spalling < 75

mm; or faulting up to 13 mm.

High - Crack widths ≥ 13 mm; or with spalling ≥ 75 mm; or

faulting ≥ 13 mm.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking

Causes
Physical Material/Chemical
• Nonuniform slab support (variable stiffness, swelling soils,
frost heave, erosion, instability, etc.)
• Slab restraint • Thermal characteristics of the concrete (mainly a function of
• Inadequate saw cut depth aggregate type and content)
• Late sawing of joints • Shrinkage characteristics of the concrete (mainly a function
• Construction-related aspects (e.g., timing/depth of joint of paste content and w/cm ratio)
sawing, timing and effectiveness of curing) • Concrete mixture components and proportions that affect
• Construction and service traffic loadings (load magnitude, strength development
configuration, location, number of repetitions, and strength at
time of loading, etc.)

Longitudinal cracking typically develops due to a combination of two or more of the factors listed above (e.g.,
nonuniform support in combination with heavy traffic loads). In addition, the timing of crack development can vary
significantly, with some types of longitudinal cracking occurring very soon after construction (e.g., longitudinal
cracking caused by the late sawing of longitudinal joints) while types taking months or years to develop (e.g.,
longitudinal cracking caused by gradual loss of uniform pavement support coupled with heavy traffic loads)
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking

Prevention
Longitudinal cracking caused by nonuniform slab support
Foundation Element Aspect Issue Consideration
Base and Subgrade Compaction Poor or inadequate compaction can Ensure that all unbound foundation layers are compacted to
/Density lead to post-construction the specified target densities.
settlement of the base, reducing the
support provided to the slab.
Base and Subgrade Uniformity of Areas of nonuniformity in the Ensure base course is homogenous and not segregated when
Support foundation layers can lead to placed.
cracking Consider subgrade stabilization for plastic soils.
Base Base Erodibility Pumping and erosion of base Use widened lanes (if slab thickness and support conditions
beneath slab leads to unsupported permit) and/or tied concrete shoulders to reduce slab
conditions deflections that induce pumping.
Seal longitudinal joints (especially the lane-shoulder joint
and/or provide edge drains or daylighted aggregate base to
quickly remove water from the base.

Subgrade Swelling Soils Subgrade volumetric changes due Remove and replace small areas of swelling soils.
to variations in subgrade moisture Consider use of soils stabilization and membranes
contents
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking

Prevention
Longitudinal Cracking Due to Late Sawing or Inadequate Saw Cut Depth
The approach is to create a weakened plane or section
that cracks before stresses increase enough to cause
cracking at other less desirable locations

Longitudinal joints should typically be sawed to one-

third the slab thickness. Deeper cuts may be required
to control cracking of highly reinforced joints

Joint sawing should generally begin as soon as

possible after the slab has achieved sufficient strength
to avoid spalling or raveling of the joint during
sawing. This is typically 4-to-6 hours after placement
for normal concrete mixtures placed under favorable
paving conditions (ACPA 1991) but can vary greatly
with mixture parameters, climate conditions, curing
and other factors.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
3. Longitudinal Cracking

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking
Cracks that are predominantly perpendicular to the pavement
centerline caused by a combination of repeated traffic loading,
thermal gradient curling, and repeated moisture loading

Severity Levels
Low - Crack widths < 3 mm with no spalling and no measurable
faulting or well-sealed cracks with a width that cannot be
determined.

Med - Crack widths ≥ 3 mm and < 6 mm; or with spalling < 75

mm; or faulting up to 6 mm

High - Crack widths ≥ 6 mm; or with spalling ≥ 75 mm; or

faulting ≥ 6 mm
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Causes
Physical Material/Chemical

• Environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, joint

lockup)
• Concrete mixture properties (e.g., mix proportioning,
• Slab characteristics (e.g., improper joint spacing/layout,
strength development, shrinkage, CTE)
inadequate thickness)
• Foundation support conditions (e.g., stiffness, density,
• Construction-related aspects (e.g., timing/depth of joint
bonding/frictional conditions, erodibility, instability,
sawing, curing, restraint cracks from adjacent lanes, utilities)
variability, swelling, frost heave)
• Traffic loading (e.g., age at loading, truck applications, traffic
channelization)

Transverse and diagonal cracking in JPCPs generally develop as the result of a combination of several of the factors
listed above. The timing of the crack appearance can vary significantly, with some cracking potentially occurring very
soon after construction (e.g., transverse cracking caused by the late sawing or omission of a jointing system), while
other cracking may take several years to develop (e.g., transverse fatigue cracking caused by repeated truck
applications)
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
Transverse Cracking Due to Volumetric Changes

Cracking caused by volumetric changes can be

due to both concrete mixture properties and
environmental effects, and as a result may be
subgrouped as either drying shrinkage cracking or
thermal contraction cracking

Among the concrete mixture properties and

characteristics that are associated with increased
risk for drying shrinkage cracking are a high
w/cm ratio, high cement contents, high early
strength cements, and high CTE values of the
course aggregate
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
Transverse and Diagonal Cracking Caused by Settlement
and Poor Support

Poor compaction and nonuniform support:

Settlement beneath a slab may be the result of poor or inadequate
compaction of the underlying foundation materials. This settlement
leads to increases in slab deflections and slab stresses, and can result
in transverse and diagonal cracking.

For prevention refer to longitudinal crack prevention due to

nonuniform slab support
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
Transverse Cracking Caused By Excessive Slab Lengths
The layout and spacing of transverse joints in concrete pavements is
one of the most common factors that can influence the development of
transverse and diagonal cracking on concrete pavements.

Therefore, the jointing pattern for a pavement structure must be

effectively established to minimize the potential for uncontrolled
cracking. The objective in selecting transverse joint spacings for JPCP
designs is that they be short enough to inhibit the development of
mid-panel transverse and transverse cracks, yet long enough to
reduce joint construction and maintenance costs.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
Transverse Cracking Due to Poor Sawing Practices
Joint sawing is the common method of creating the transverse and
longitudinal joints in the concrete pavement. The saw cut is not
through the entire thickness of the slab but rather through a portion of
it, thereby creating a plane of weakness that encourages the crack to
occur at that location

For prevention refer to longitudinal cracking due to late sawing or

inadequate saw cut depth
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
CRACKING
4. Transverse and Diagonal Cracking

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS

Minor deformities or imperfections that are limited to the surface of a

concrete pavement are often referred to as surface defects. These defects
can include items such as map cracking (also called crazing), plastic
shrinkage cracking, scaling, surface polishing, surface wear, and popouts
or mortar flaking. These distresses typically do not significantly detract
from the structural integrity of the pavement but can have an impact on its
functional performance and aesthetic appeal

1. Map Cracking and Scaling

Map Cracking: A network of cracks and fine fissures on the

concrete surface that enclose small and irregularly shaped areas.
These cracks are shallow, often only 0.125 in. (3 mm) deep. Map
cracking may be localized or may occur over the entire surface of
the concrete slab.

Scaling: Physical deterioration of the upper concrete slab surface,

normally 0.1 to 0.5 in. (3 to 13 mm) may occur anywhere on the
pavement.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
1. Map Cracking and Scaling

Causes
Map Cracking:
1. Late or Inadequate Curing: Curing can have a significant effect on the quality of the
concrete surface. An approved curing compound should be applied as soon as
possible to the surface and at the specified application rate to retain mix water to
support hydration. Late or inadequate curing impacts surface strength, abrasion
resistance, and surface durability

2. Batching Absorptive Aggregates: When the concrete contains aggregate particles with
a high volume of medium-sized pores (0.1 to 5 µm) that are easily saturated, they can
absorb moisture and, when freezing occurs, the associated volumetric expansion can
create enough pressure to rupture the aggregate and concrete surface

3. Alkali-silica reactivity (ASR): The result of this reaction is the formation of a gel that
expands in the presence of moisture and cracks the concrete matrix. ASR can result in
map cracking of the concrete or popouts on the surface of the concrete pavement and
can also contribute to cracking and spalling

4. Alkali-carbonate reactivity (ACR): The reaction is highly expansive and can lead to
deterioration of the concrete
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
1. Map Cracking and Scaling

Causes
Scaling:
1. Freeze-Thaw and Deicing Chemicals: Scaling is the loss of surface mortar and is
primarily related to the expansion of water in the concrete as it freezes. However, the
use of chemical deicers can accelerate the physical mechanisms responsible for
freeze-thaw deterioration of concrete.

2. Improper Surface Finishing and Curing: While finishing of most pavements takes
place prior to the appearance of bleed water, any overworking of the concrete surface,
or finishing while bleed water is present on the surface, can cause significant
weakening of the material at the surface of concrete and contribute to the formation of
scaling. Furthermore, late or inadequate curing can affect surface strength and
durability, which could lead to scaling.

3. Damage from Rain: When the surface and edges of newly placed concrete pavement
are not protected from rain, the surface can erode, washing away the paste; moreover,
the additional water at the concrete pavement surface can elevate the surface w/cm
ratio (particularly if worked into the surface), which can lead to map cracking and
scaling
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
1. Map Cracking and Scaling

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
1. Map Cracking and Scaling

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
2. Polished Aggregates (Surface Polishing)

Surface mortar and texturing has worn away to expose the

coarse aggregate particles
Causes
1. Use of Aggregates with Poor Abrasion Resistance: Soft
aggregates can abrade more quickly than others, leading to
a polished surface that can lead to potential surface friction
issues

2. Exposure to Traffic: Surface polishing is the result of

traffic repetitions wearing away the surface texture and
polishing the susceptible aggregate materials

3. Improper Surface Finishing and Curing

TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
2. Polished Aggregates (Surface Polishing)

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
3. Popouts

A popout is a small piece of pavement that breaks loose from

the surface due to freeze thaw action, combined with expansive
aggregates. Popouts usually range in diameter from 25 to 100
mm and in depth from 13 to 50 mm

Causes
Use of Unsound or Reactive Aggregates:
Near-surface aggregate particles with a high absorption and a
relatively low specific gravity can absorb moisture, which can
expand in freezing conditions and create pressures that cause
the particle to fragment and dislodge at the surface.
Prevention
1. Use durable mixtures with low w/cm ratios
2. Avoid the use of problem aggregates
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
SURFACE DEFECTS
4. Plastic Shrinkage

Shallow, closely spaced parallel cracks appearing at the surface,

typically no more than about 1 to 2 in. (25 to 51 mm) deep that
generally occur perpendicular to the wind direction

Causes
Rapid Evaporation:
Highly evaporative conditions (e.g., low humidity, windy
conditions, and exposure to direct sunlight) contribute to rapid
moisture loss from the surface, which can lead to the
development of plastic shrinkage cracking in the concrete.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
1. Joint Seal Damage

Joint seal damage is any condition that enables incompressible materials

or a significant amount of water to infiltrate the joint from the surface.
Typical types of joint seal damage include extrusion, hardening, adhesive
failure (bonding), cohesive failure (splitting), complete loss of sealant,
intrusion of foreign material into the joint or grass or weed growth in the
joint.
Severity Levels
Severity levels do not apply to longitudinal joint seals. Severity levels
for transverse joint seals are as follows
Low - Joint seal damage exists in less than 10 percent of the joint
Med - Joint seal damage exists in 10 to 50 percent of the joint.
High - Joint seal damage exists over more than 50 percent of the
joint.
Treatment
Low - Monitor for future repair
Med & High - Concrete Joint Resealing
Surface cracks having heavy vegetation growth must be treated with
herbicide 7 to 21 days prior to pavement work
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
2. Spalling Joints

Joint and crack spalling is deterioration of the opening, which refers to

cracking, chipping, or fraying of the concrete slab joint or crack edges of
the transverse and longitudinal joints and cracks.
The spalling may develop predominantly in the top few inches of the slab,
or may develop at a greater depth below the surface, depending on the
environmental conditions, eventually reaching full pavement depth.
Severity Levels
Low - Spalls < 75 mm wide measured to the face of the joint with
loss of material and no patching or spalls with no loss of
material and no patching
Med - Spalls 75 to 150 mm wide measured to the face of the joint
with loss of material
High - Spalls > 150 mm wide measured to the face of the joint
with loss of material or spalls broken into two or more
pieces or spalls containing patch material
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
2. Spalling Joints

Causes
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
2. Spalling Joints

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
2. Spalling Joints

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
JOINT DEFICIENCIES
2. Spalling Joints

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Blowups

Localized upward movement of the pavement surface at transverse joints

or cracks, often accompanied by shattering of the concrete in that area

Severity Levels
Low - Does not impact traffic
High - Affects traffic and must be immediately repaired
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Blowups

Causes
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Blowups

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
2. Faulting

Faulting is the difference in elevation across a joint or crack in a

pavement due to loss of load transfer. It is a symptom of the loss of
uniform base or subgrade support, normally from the lack of dowel bars
Faulting increases with time and continues to degrade the ride while
dynamic loading from traffic initiates cracking and spalling of the
concrete pavement joints/cracks

Severity Levels
Low - Less than or equal to 1/8 in. (3 mm) fault
Med - Greater than 1/8 to 3/8 in. (3 mm to 9.5 mm) fault
High - Greater than 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) fault
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
2. Faulting

Causes
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
2. Faulting

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
2. Faulting

Prevention
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
3. Patch Deterioration

A portion (greater than or equal to 0.1 m2) or all of the original concrete
slab that has been removed and replaced or additional material applied to
the pavement after original construction.

Severity Levels
Low - Patch has, at most, low severity distress of any type, no
measurable faulting or settlement, and there is no loss of
patching material. Pumping is not evident.

Med - Patch has moderate severity distress of any type or

faulting or settlement up to 6 mm. Pumping is not
evident.
High - Patch has a high severity distress of any type; or, faulting
or settlement is ≥ 6 mm, or the patch has additional
material within it. Pumping may be evident.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
4. Water Bleeding and Pumping

Seeping or ejection of water from beneath the pavement through cracks or

joints. In some cases, detectable by deposits of fine material left on the
pavement surface, which were eroded (pumped) from the support layers
and have stained the surface.
Severity Levels
Not applicable. Severity levels are not used because the amount and
degree of water bleeding and pumping changes with varying moisture
conditions
How to Measure
Record the number of occurrences of water bleeding and pumping and
the length of affected pavement with a minimum length of 1 m.
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
5. Punchouts (CRCP)

Punchouts are generally regarded as the classic form of CRCP distress.

A punchout occurs when closely spaced transverse cracks, or a crack and
joint, are intersected by a longitudinal crack relatively close to the
pavement edge.

Severity Levels
Low - Longitudinal and transverse cracks remain tight (minimal
width) spalling less than 3 in. (75 mm) faulting less than 1/4
in. (6 mm) with no loss of material and no patching

Med - Spalling greater than or equal to 3 in. (75 mm) and less
than 6 in. (150 mm) or faulting greater than or equal to 1/4
in. (6 mm) and less than 1/2 in. (13 mm)
High - Spalling greater than or equal to 6 in. (150 mm) or faulting
greater than or equal to 1/2 in. (13 mm) or concrete in
punchout area is loose and moves under traffic, or concrete
in punchout area is broken into two or more pieces
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
5. Punchouts (CRCP)

Cause and Prevention

TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
6. Lane-Shoulder Dropoff

Difference in elevation between the edge of slab and outside shoulder;

typically occurs when the outside shoulder settles.

Severity Levels
Low - The difference between the pavement edge and shoulder is >
25 and ≤ 50 mm
Med - The difference between the pavement edge and shoulder is
> 50 and ≤ 100 mm
High - The difference between the pavement edge and shoulder is
> 100 mm
TYPE OF DISTRESSES
MISCELLANEOUS
7. Lane-Shoulder Separation

Widening of the joint between the edge of the slab and the shoulder.

Severity Levels
Not applicable. Severity levels can be defined by categorizing the
measurements taken. A complete record of the measurements taken is
much more desirable, however, because it is more accurate and
repeatable than severity levels.

How to Measure
Record to the nearest millimeter at intervals of 15.25 m along the
lane-to-shoulder joint. Indicate whether the joint is well-sealed (yes or
no) at each location.