Environmental effects and repetitive traffic applications can lead to the d
evelopment of transverse cracks in jointed concrete pavements (JCPs). Maint
aining adequate aggregate interlock load transfer across these cracks is es
sential for preserving the functional and structural integrity of these pav
ements. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of aggre
gate type, size, and blending on the performance of transverse cracking in
jointed concrete pavements. Field data collected from inservice JCPs locate
d throughout southern Michigan was used to accomplish these objectives. Joi
nt spacing, coarse aggregate type, shoulder type, and pavement temperature
were found to have significant effects on transverse crack development, per
formance, or both. The surface texture of crack faces was assessed using a
promising new test method called volumetric surface texture (VST) testing.
VST results provided an indication of the aggregate interlock potential of
pavements containing various aggregate types. A parallel laboratory study w
as conducted to study the impact of aggregate size and blending on transver
se crack performance. Three performance parameters capable of mechanistical
ly characterizing crack performance are discussed. A relatively simple proc
edure was described for determining these parameters and evaluating crack c
ondition.