Cracking of rigid pavements

Cracking is the most common distresses of rigid pavements. It is caused, to a great extent, not only by the concrete s volumetric behaviour under temperature variations but also by the repetitive loading caused by traffic and some other external factors. 

Cracks in concrete may develop at any direction, from the first hours of curing. Many cracks could be avoided or limited by provision of proper joint spacing, careful curing of concrete, good concrete mix and pavement design and good workmanship. 

Timely maintenance sealing of the joints and of the cracks is of vital importance to prevent development of further distresses, which eventually accelerates the complete deterioration of the pavement. 

The use of continuous reinforced concrete and, to a lesser extent, jointed reinforced concrete eliminates the development of some of the distresses described below. 

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