Jamie Larson concluded his Chronogram piece about Hudson with a quote from The Hudson Wail: "The cracks in the sidewalks aren't the flaw, they're the story."
Yesterday, a reader sent me this picture, which shows a great, long crack in the new sidewalk on Allen Street, at the top of the Second Street stairs.
If cracks in the sidewalk are the story of Hudson, the story continues.
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This is why sidewalks are traditionally made with small sections divided by a space for expansion and contraction. I have noticed these large sidewalks recently made are huge concrete slabs, with fake likes cut in for effect. The curbs are also part of the slab, not a separate component. A large slab outdoors is more prone to cracking. Also cement work, concrete or mortar joints, cures too fast and is much weaker if done in temperatures over 90 degrees. Some things to consider if doing sidewalk work on hot summer days.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't fake cuts fyi. You don't cut all the way through, only 1/4-1/3 of the concretes thickness. If you did, the sections could heave and settle individually making for a very uneven surface. I'm not saying it was all done well, but those aren't "huge concrete slabs" either. Much bigger sections are left between the relief joints on tons of building projects, interior and exterior. Probably just done better and in better conditions as you noted.
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