Tiny air bubbles mixed into concrete that protect it from cracking when water freezes and expands inside it.
The intentional introduction of tiny, uniformly distributed air bubbles into concrete through the use of an air-entraining admixture. Entrained air improves resistance to freeze-thaw damage by providing space for water to expand when it freezes. Exterior flatwork exposed to freezing temperatures typically requires 5-7% entrained air content.
The sidewalk mix design required 6% air entrainment to survive the harsh Midwest winters without spalling.
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