Transverse Cracking

Description

Cracks that are predominantly perpendicular to pavement centerline.

Severity Levels

Low
An unsealed crack with a mean width ≤ 6 mm; or a sealed crack with sealant material in good condition and with a width that cannot be determined.

Moderate
Any crack with a mean width > 6 mm and ≤ 19 mm; or any crack with a mean width ≤ 19 mm and adjacent low severity random cracking.

High
Any crack with a mean width > 19 mm; or any crack with a mean width ≤ 19
mm and adjacent moderate to high severity random cracking.

How to Measure

Record number and length of transverse cracks at each severity level. Rate the entire transverse crack at the highest severity level present for at least 10 percent of the total length of the crack. Length recorded, in meters, is the total length of the crack and is assigned to the highest severity level present for at least 10 percent of the total length of the crack.

Also record length in meters of transverse cracks with sealant in good
condition at each severity level.

Note: The length recorded is the total length of the well-sealed crack and is assigned to the severity level of the crack. Record only when the sealant is in good condition for at least 90 percent of the length of the crack.

If the transverse crack extends through an area of fatigue cracking, the length of the crack within the fatigue area is not counted. The crack is treated as a single transverse crack, but at a reduced length.

Cracks less than 0.3 m in length are not recorded.