# Corner Break

A crack that intersects the PCC slab joints near the corner. "Near the corner" is typically defined as within about 2 m (6 ft) or so. A corner break extends through the entire slab and is caused by high corner stresses.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/corner-break/
- Last updated: 2018-09-24
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

## Description

A crack that intersects the PCC slab joints near the corner. "Near the corner" is typically defined as within about 2 m (6 ft) or so. A corner break extends through the entire slab and is caused by high corner stresses.

![Corner break in Seattle, WA on a local road.](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Corner_break1.jpg)

![Corner break on a high volume road.](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Corner_break2.jpg)

*Figures 1 and 2.* Corner break in Seattle, WA on a local road. Corner break on a high volume road.

## Problem

[Roughness](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-evaluation/roughness/), moisture infiltration, severe corner breaks will fault, spall and disintegrate

## Possible Causes

Severe corner stresses caused by load repetitions combined with a loss of support, poor load transfer across the joint, curling stresses and warping stresses.

## Repair

[Full-depth patch](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/materials/portland-cement/portland-cement-strength/pcc-patching/)