Soundness

UFC 3-270-03

15 March 2001

Force, and Navy pavements and corner spalls in Army and Air Force pavements, the sawcuts

should be straight and at right angles to each other with the cuts forming a rectangle with the joint

or crack as one side. For corner spalls in Navy pavements, the initial cuts should be at least

4 inches (100 millimeters) long and perpendicular to the joint with the final cut joining the initial

cuts to form a pentagon at the slab corner (Figure 3.2.). The jackhammer may then be used to

remove the concrete to a depth of at least 2 inches (50 millimeters) from the surface or 1/2 inch

(13 millimeters) into visually sound concrete, whichever is deeper, within the cut area by starting

in the center of the spall and working toward the cuts (Figure 14.2.). If both sides of the joint or

crack are spalled, the spall on each side of the joint must be repaired while maintaining the joint

or crack. An example is shown in Figure 15.1. Joint filler is placed in the expansion joint, and the

spalls on each side of the joint are repaired independently. See References 1.3.7. through 1.3.9.

and 1.3.12. for additional details on joint sealant removal and repair.

15.4. Soundness. After the concrete in the area has been removed, it must be tested for

soundness to ensure that there are no cracks in the underlying concrete or loose material

present. This can be easily accomplished with a steel rod, a short length of chain, or a ball peen

hammer. A dampened ring from the steel indicates a crack or loose material beneath the

sounding device. If unsound concrete is located, it must be removed to a depth of at least 1/2

inch (13 millimeters) into sound concrete. A thorough cleaning of the repair area to remove

debris must be conducted by compressed air and high-pressure water. A power broom, vacuum

sweeper, or at least a thorough hand broom sweeping of the area must be conducted to prevent

debris from reentering the repair zone.

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