TRCS Portal 2025

Inspection Guidelines

OverviewAC Distress MeasurementPCC Distress Measurement
BlowupCorner BreakCracks - Longitudinal, Transverse, and DiagonalDurability - D CrackingJoint Seal DamagePatching - Small (Less Than 5 Sq Ft - 0.5 Sq M)Patching - Large (Over 5 Sq Ft - 0.5 Sq M)and Utility CutPopoutsPumpingScalingSettlement or FaultingShattered Slab - Intersecting CracksShrinkage CracksSpalling - Trans. And Long. JointsSpalling - CornerAlkali Silica Reaction (ASR)

Corner Break

A corner break is a crack that intersects the joints at a distance less than or equal to one-half the slab length on both sides, measured from the corner of the slab. For example, a slab with dimensions of 25 by 25 feet (7.5 by 7.5 meters) that has a crack intersecting the joint 5 feet (1.5 meters) from the corner on one side and 17 feet (5 meters) on the other side is not considered a corner break; it is a diagonal crack. However, a crack that intersects 7 feet (2.1 meters) on one side and 10 feet (3 meters) on the other is considered a corner break. A corner break differs from a corner spall in that the crack extends vertically through the entire slab thickness, while a corner spall intersects the joint at an angle. Load repetition combined with loss of support and curling stresses usually causes corner breaks.

How to Count

A distressed slab is recorded as one slab if it (1) contains a single corner break, (2) contains more than one break of a particular severity, or (3) contains two or more breaks of different severities. For two or more breaks, the highest level of severity should be recorded. For example, a slab containing both light and medium-severity corner breaks should be counted as one slab with a medium-severity corner break.

SeverityDistress ExampleDescription
Low
Crack has either no spalling or minor spalling (no foreign object damage (FOD) potential). If non-filled, it has a mean width less than approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters); a filled crack can be of any width, but the filler material must be in satisfactory condition. The area between the corner break and the joints is not cracked.
Medium
One of the following conditions exists: (1) filled or non-filled crack is moderately spalled (some FOD potential); (2) a non-filled crack has a mean width between 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) and 1 inch (25 millimeters); (3) a filled crack is not spalled or only lightly spalled, but the filled is in unsatisfactory condition; (4) the area between the corner break and the joints is lightly cracked with loose or missing particles.
High
One of the following conditions exists: (1) filled or non-filled crack is severely spalled, causing definite FOD potential; (2) a non-filled crack has a mean width greater than approximately 1 inch (35 millimeters), creating a tire damage potential; or (3) the area between the corner break and the joints is severely cracked.