Transverse cracking distress in long-term pavement performance jointed concrete pavement sections

The primary design variables and distress mechanisms that can cause varying degrees of transverse cracking in jointed concrete pavements are discussed. Included in the discussion is the Strategic Highway Research Program's Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program which has collected a significant amount of condition survey data on more than 110 jointed plain concrete pavements and 65 jointed reinforced concrete pavements throughout North America over the last seven years. A complete analysis of the transverse cracking that has occurred in the LTPP test sections, along with their respective relationships with the primary prediction variables found in the primary distress mechanisms, is provided.