Pavement Inspection

Joint Reflection Cracking

This distress occurs only on pavements having an asphalt or tar surface over a portland cement concrete (PCC) slab. This category does not include reflection cracking from any other type of base (that is, cement stabilized, lime stabilized). Such cracks are listed as longitudinal and transverse cracks. Joint reflection cracking is caused mainly by movement of the PCC slab beneath the asphalt concrete (AC) surface because of thermal and moisture changes. It is not load-related; however, traffic loading may cause a breakdown of the AC near the crack, resulting in spalling and foreign object damage potential (FOD). If the pavement is fragmented along a crack, the crack is said to be spalled. A knowledge of slab dimensions beneath the AC surface will help to identify these cracks.

Severity Distress Example Description
Low Overview photo of an apron pavement with a uniform rectangular pattern of low-severity transverse and longitudinal cracks. The pattern is the result of cracks that have reflected through the asphalt surface at the joints of the PCC slabs below. Cracks have only light spalling (little or no FOD potential) or no spalling, and can be filled or non-filled. If non-filled, the cracks have a mean width of 1/4 in (6 mm) or less. Filled cracks are of any width, but their filler material is in satisfactory condition.
Medium Overview photo of an apron pavement with a uniform rectangular pattern of medium-severity transverse and longitudinal cracks. The pattern is the result of cracks that have reflected through the asphalt surface at the joints of the PCC slabs below. Some spalling is visible at the cracks. One of the following conditions exists: (1) cracks are moderately spalled (some FOD potential) and can be either filled or non-filled of any width; (2) filled cracks are not spalled or are lightly spalled, but filler is in unsatisfactory condition; (3) non-filled cracks are not spalled or are only lightly spalled, but the mean crack width is greater than 1/4 in (6 mm); (4) light random cracking exists near the crack or at the corners of intersecting cracks.
High Overview photo of an apron pavement with a uniform rectangular pattern of high-severity transverse and longitudinal cracks. The pattern is the result of cracks that have reflected through the asphalt surface at the joints of the PCC slabs below. In the photo, the cracks appear to be very wide, and most have grass growing in them. Cracks are severely spalled with pieces loose or missing causing definite FOD potential. Cracks can be either filled or non-filled of any width.