I suspect that the concrete was not air-entrained. City sidewalks are salted all the time and don’t pit.
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That is correct, but unfortunately the air entrainment required for additional protection for winter concrete, you have to request it from the supplier. For sidewalks, you need to have at least 5-7% air and a 6.5 or 7 bag mix if you want something that will last. Other than that, you will get a 5 bag mix for residential with the natural air entrainment that you get in the mixer which is approx. 2-4%.
So in other words, there is a design mix required for sidewalks and exterior pavements and roadways.
The air entrainment and the hardness of the concrete all work together to defend against freeze thaw cycles. The air bubbles the air makes is where the freezing water expands in without spalling the concrete surface.
The concrete master!
Looks like an amature concrete job. notice the edge trowel maks, lack of expansion joints. And I would agree that most likely rocksalt was used for texture or “dramatic effect”
Hi James, Welcome aboard! Where are you located in our wonderful State of New York?
Tom, Middleburgh, Schoharie County
I’m down in Rockland by Nyack
It took me a minute but I got it. Nice place to be from. 