Longitudinal & Transverse Cracking
 
  • Longitudinal cracks are parallel to the pavement’s centerline or lay-down direction. They may be adjacent to the pavement edge.
  • Transverse cracks extend across the pavement at approximately right angles to the pavement centerline.
  • A poorly constructed paving lane joint
  • Shrinkage of the AC surface due to low temperature or hardening of the asphalt
  • Daily temperature cycling
  • A reflective crack caused by joints and cracks beneath the surface, including joints and cracks in PCC slabs
  • Decreased support or thickness near the edge of the pavement
  • Shrinkage of the AC surface due to low temperature or hardening of the asphalt
  • Daily temperature cycling
  • A reflective crack caused by joints and cracks beneath the surface, including joints and cracks in PCC slabs
Low Severity L & T Cracking

  • Low: Non-filled crack width is less than 3/8 in or filled crack of any width.

The crack is not in a wheel pass oriented in the direction of travel and the sealent is satisfactory condition.
The crack is not in a wheel pass oriented in the direction of travel, and it is about 1/4 in (6 mm) in width.
Medium Severity L & T Cracking
  • Medium: Non-filled crack width is 3/8 to 3 inches or non-filled crack of any width up to 3 inches surrounded by light random cracking or filled crack of any width surround by light random cracking.
The crack is not in a wheel pass oriented in the direction of the travel, and it is about 1/2 in (12 mm) in width.
Judge the severity at the location of the ruler. The crack is not in a wheel pass oriented in the direction of the travel, and it is about 1 to 2 1/2 in (25-62 cm) in width.
High Severity L & T Cracking
  • High: Any crack filled or non-filled surrounded by medium or high severity random cracking or non-filled crack over 3 inches or a crack of any width where a few inches of pavement around the crack is severely broken.
 
The crack is not in a wheel pass oriented in the direction of travel, and it is about 2 to 3 in (75-125 mm) in width with surrounding medium severity random cracks.