A spall is a linear fracture in concrete. (T/F)

A spall is a linear fracture in concrete. (T/F)

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

Spalling means a piece of concrete has broken away from the surface, leaving a shallow pit or missing chunk. It’s not just a single straight crack; the damaged area is a detached fragment with an irregular or circular outline, often exposing aggregate or even reinforcement. This distinction matters in inspections because a spall shows that underlying material and possibly corrosion or other damage are present, signaling more extensive deterioration than a simple crack. So the statement is false: spall is not a linear fracture.

Spalling means a piece of concrete has broken away from the surface, leaving a shallow pit or missing chunk. It’s not just a single straight crack; the damaged area is a detached fragment with an irregular or circular outline, often exposing aggregate or even reinforcement. This distinction matters in inspections because a spall shows that underlying material and possibly corrosion or other damage are present, signaling more extensive deterioration than a simple crack. So the statement is false: spall is not a linear fracture.