Durability Cracking

Description

Series of closely spaced, crescent-shaped cracks near a joint, corner or crack. It is caused by freeze-thaw expansion of the large aggregate within the PCC slab. Durability cracking is a general PCC distress and is not unique to pavement PCC.

D cracking at a slab
Figure 1: D cracking at a slab

Problem

Some roughness, leads to spalling and eventual slab disintegration

Possible Causes

Freeze-thaw susceptible aggregate.

Repair

“D” cracking is indicative of a general aggregate freeze-thaw problem. Although a full-depth patch or partial-depth patch can repair the affected area, it does not address the root problem and will not, of course, prevent “D” cracking elsewhere.