When a pavement cools quickly, it tries to contract. The internal stresses caused in this process may result in a series of cracks evenly spaced perpendicular (transverse) to the flow of traffic. There are two types of thermal cracks -- those occurring during a single falling temperature event, and those caused from damage accumulated after repeated temperature cycling.
Causes
Solutions - Cures
Several options are available, based on severity of the cracking, future expected traffic count, climate, user delay costs and available funds. The important thing is to prevent moisture from entering the crack and damaging the underlying structure.
Solutions - Prevention
Thermal Cracks can be prevented by the use of quality materials during construction and preventive maintenance surface treatments as the pavement begins to age. Polymer modified binders meeting the applicable low temperature PG grades have been found to be especially effective.
Low Severity Cracks:
Severe Cracks: