Pavement Inspection

Longitudinal and Transverse Cracking

Longitudinal cracks are parallel to the pavement’s centerline or laydown direction. They may be caused by: a poorly constructed paving lane joint; shrinkage of the AC surface due to low temperatures or hardening of the asphalt, or daily temperature cycling, or both; or a reflective crack caused by cracking beneath the surface course, including cracks (but not joints) in PCC slabs. Transverse cracks extend across the pavement at approximately right angles to the pavement centerline or direction of laydown. These types of cracks are typically caused by temperature cycling and are not usually load-associated.

Severity Description
Low One of the following conditions exists: nonfilled crack width is less than 3/8 in (10 mm), or filled crack of any width (filler in satisfactory condition).
Medium One of the following conditions exists: nonfilled crack width is greater than or equal to 3/8 in (10 mm) and less than 3 in (75 mm); nonfilled crack is less than or equal to 3 in (75 mm) surrounded by light and random cracking; or, filled crack is of any width surrounded by light random cracking.
High One of the following conditions exists: any crack filled or nonfilled surrounded by medium- or high-severity random cracking; nonfilled crack greater than 3 in (75 mm); or a crack of any width where approximately 4 in (100 mm) of pavement around the crack is severely broken.