Rigid Pavement Distresses

Sl.
Distress Type Identification and Problems Possible Causes Possible Measures
No.

A localized upward slab movement and

Joint spalling
shattering at a joint or crack.
D cracking
1 Blowup or buckling Usually occurs in spring or summer and is the Full Depth patch
Freeze-thaw damage
result of insufficient room for slab expansion
during hot weather

A crack that intersects the PCC slab joints Severe corner stresses caused by load
near the corner. repetitions combined with a loss of support
2 Corner Break Full Depth patch
A corner break extends through the entire slab Poor load transfer across the joint
and is caused by high corner stresses. Curling stresses and warping stresses.
Series of closely spaced, crescent-shaped
cracks near a joint corner or crack.
Durability cracking It is caused by freeze-thaw expansion of the Freeze-thaw susceptible aggregate. Full-depth patch or partial-depth
3
Or D Cracking large aggregate within the PCC slab
It leads to spalling and eventual slab
disintegration
Transverse crack or corner break developed Removal and replacement of the affected
Joint load transfer
as a result of joint dowels. Corrosion and Misalignment of dowel bars joint load transfer system followed by a full-
4 system
It is an indicator of a failed load transfer depth patch for affected area.
deterioration
system

Previous localized pavement deterioration that

An area of pavement that has been replaced Patches can be removed is through an
has been removed and patched
5 Patching with new material to repair the existing overlay or slab replacement.
Utility cuts
pavement.
 Rigid Pavement Distresses

Sl.
Distress Type Identification Causes Possible Measures
No.
Faulting heights of less than 3 mm need not
be repaired.
Most commonly, faulting is a result of slab Faulting in an undoweled JPCP between 3
A difference in elevation across a joint or
pumping. Faulting can also be caused by mm and 12.5 mm is a candidate for a dowel
6 Faulting crack usually associated with undoweled
slab settlement, curling and warping bar retrofit.
JPCP
Faulting in excess of 12.5 mm generally
warrants total reconstruction.

Linear cracks not associated with corner

Slabs with a single, narrow linear crack may
breaks or blowups that extend across the Usually a combination of traffic loading,
be repaired by crack sealing. More than one
Linear or panel entire slab. thermal gradient curling, moisture stresses
7 linear crack generally warrants a full-depth
Cracking It allows moisture infiltration leading to erosion and loss of support.
patch.
of base/sub base support, cracks will
eventually spall and disintegrate if not sealed
Movement of material underneath the slab or
Water accumulation underneath the slab. This Full depth patching
ejection of material from underneath the slab
can be caused by such things as: a high water Dowel bars to increase load transfer
as a result of water pressure.
8 Pumping table, poor drainage, and panel cracks or poor Stabilizing any slab adjacent to the pumping
It decreases structural support of the slab,
joint seals that allow water to infiltrate the area
which can lead to linear cracking, corner
underlying material.
breaks and faulting.
Isolated low severity popouts may not
Small pieces of PCC that break loose from Poor aggregate freeze-thaw resistance warrant repair.
the surface leaving small divots or pock Expansive aggregates Larger popouts or a group of popouts can
9 Pop outs
marks. Alkali-aggregate reactions generally be repaired with a partial-depth
It is usually an indicator of poor material patch.
 Rigid Pavement Distresses

Sl.
Distress Type Identification Causes Possible Measures
No.
Localized slab portion broken into several Inadequate consolidation.
pieces. Steel corrosion
10 Punch-out It allows moisture infiltration leading to erosion Inadequate amount of steel Full Depth Patching
of base/sub base support, cracks will spall Excessive wide shrinkage cracks or excessive
and disintegrate. close shrinkage cracks.
Areas of PCC pavement where the portion of
aggregate on the surface contains few rough Repeated traffic applications Diamond grinding or overlay.
11 Polished Aggregate
or angular aggregate particles.
It decreases the skid resistance
Pattern or map cracking (crazing) on the PCC
Partial-depth patching for small areas of
Reactive Aggregate slab surface caused by reactive aggregates. Poor aggregate qualities
12 scaling
Distresses It is an indication of poor aggregate will Alkali-aggregate reaction.
Slab replacement for large areas of scaling.
eventually lead to PCC slab disintegration.
In mild to moderate severity situations, the
Contraction joints sawed too late
Hairline cracks formed during PCC setting and shrinkage cracks can be sealed and the slab
Poor reinforcing steel design
curing that are not located at joints. should perform adequately.
13 Shrinkage Cracking Improper curing technique.
It is an indication of uncontrolled slab In severe situations, the entire slab may need
High early strength PCC.
shrinkage. replacement.

Excessive stresses at the joint/

Disintegration of the PCC from freeze-thaw Spalling less than 75 mm partial-depth
Cracking, breaking or chipping of joint/crack
action or "D" cracking. patching
edges.
14 Spalling Weak PCC at a joint Spalling greater than about 75 mm Full-
It is an indicator of advanced joint/crack
Misalignment or corroded dowel. depth patch.
deterioration
Heavy traffic loading.