An essential step for effective use of the new SUPERPAVE asphalt binder and mixture design tools is training and dissemination information to those individuals from government and industry who are required to operate the equipment and perform the new tests. This initial training is urgently needed to establish a uniform and accurate application of the SHRP asphalt binder/mix design and analysis systems.

This project, previously designated as DP-101, established a national training center on the SUPERPAVE asphalt binder/mix analysis system to teach engineers and technicians SUPERPAVE equipment operational techniques and to develop educational materials. The training center, located at the Asphalt Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, established a uniform and accurate application of SUPERPAVE asphalt design and analysis systems. During the initial phase of SUPERPAVE training, from July 1993 to February 1995, sixteen 1-week asphalt binder courses and fourteen 1-week SUPERPAVE mix design courses were taught. Initial site visits and mix design work was also conducted on projects in Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky and Maryland.

The next phase of this effort, designated as the National Asphalt Training Center II, is to develop and conduct training courses on mix analysis/pavement performance predictions using the SUPERPAVE shear tester and indirect tensile tester. A limited number of the initial binder and mixture courses will also continue to be presented, but the major emphasis of binder and mix design training will be to move the training from a national centralized location to the users. Additionally, SUPERPAVE technical assistance will be available on-site to highway agencies.

Another important aspect of this effort is to coordinate testing efforts of five SUPERPAVE Centers, which will conduct analysis of the equipment as well as procedural ruggedness and precision/bias.

On September 1, 1995 the FHWA awarded the Asphalt Institute, Lexington, Kentucky, a $3.5 million contract on SUPERPAVE Advanced Training and Field Assistance. Under this effort, the OTA over the next 5 years will utilize the Asphalt Institute to provide additional SUPERPAVE laboratory training in the two critical areas of mixture design and mixture performance prediction. This activity at the Institute will continue the theme of the National Asphalt Training Center, started with the FHWA initial Superpave implementation training efforts in 1993. Additionally, a large part of the upcoming effort will be devoted to conducting joint efforts with SUPERPAVE Regional Centers, ruggedness efforts on SUPERPAVE mix procedures, local on-site training, technical assistance and workshops.

As of the end of 1997, NATC has presented a total of 22 one-week binder courses and 22 one-week mix courses to nearly 1000 engineers and technicians. Under its existing contract, NATC has also developed and piloted a one-week and a two-week course on the SUPERPAVE mix analysis system. While training materials are modified, initial courses are available to State DOTs and industry personnel. A NHI course is also currently available.

FHWA hopes that these training programs will create a pool of engineers and technicians with the knowledge to provide the highway industry with assistance on SUPERPAVE mix design equipment and test procedures.

On-site technical visits are currently available to State DOTs. 1 & 2-day NHI Superpave Course.

Superpave Asphalt Binder Test Methods (Illustrated Lab Methods) FHWA-SA-94-068, Background of Superpave Asphalt Binder Test Methods, FHWA-SA-94-069, Background of Superpave Asphalt Mixture Design and Analysis FHWA-SA-95-003, and Superpave Asphalt Mixture Design (Illustrated Lab Methods) FHWA-SA-95-004.

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U.S. Department of Transportation
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