Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician

The Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course covers the sampling and testing of hot mix asphalt, to include volumetric analysis of compacted specimens, asphalt content, and in-place density.

Pre-Requisite Requirements

The Basic Aggregates Testing Technician course is a required pre-requisite for the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course. This course is not intended to provide basic training, but rather to serve as a refresher and evaluation leading to certification. Prior to attending the course, participants should have a working knowledge of hot mix asphalt testing methods, as well as the mathematical calculations associated with those methods. Experience in physically performing these test methods is strongly recommended.

Hot Mix Asphalt Review Materials

Specifications

The procedures covered in this course are those prescribed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Standard Specifications for Highway Construction and related specifications, including:

AASHTO T 166 Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens
AASHTO T 209 Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
AASHTO T 269 Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Asphalt Mixtures
AASHTO T 287 Asphalt Binder Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
AASHTO T 308 Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) by the Ignition Oven Method
AASHTO T 312 Preparing and Determining the Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
AASHTO T 329 Moisture Content of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) by Oven Method
AASHTO T 331 Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Using Automatic Vacuum Sealing Method
AASHTO M 323 Standard Specification for Superpave Volumetric Mix Design
AASHTO R 30 Standard Practice for Mixture Conditioning of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA)
AASHTO R 35 Standard Practice for Superpave Volumetric Design for Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA)
AASHTO R 47 Reducing Samples of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) to Testing Size
AASHTO R 66 Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures
ARDOT 449 Determination of Asphalt Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
ARDOT 449A Calibration of Asphalt Content Gauge Troxler 3241-C
ARDOT 455A Test Method for Water Sensitivity for Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
ARDOT 460 Test Method for Solvent Washing and Sieve Analysis of Asphalt Concrete
ARDOT 461 Test Method for In Place Density and Percent Compaction of Asphalt Concrete Hot Mix using a Nuclear Gauge
ARDOT 464 Procedure for the Determination of Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) and Air Voids
ARDOT 465 Procedure for Sampling by Random Number Table
ASTM D2950 Standard Test for Density of Bituminous Concrete in Place by Nuclear Methods
ASTM D5361 Standard Practice for Sampling Compacted Bituminous Mixtures for Laboratory Testing

Supplies and Equipment

All necessary equipment and supplies used in the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course will be furnished by CTTP. A course notebook and pencil is provided to each participant. Calculators may be borrowed from CTTP; however, students are often more comfortable bringing a calculator with which they are familiar, and routinely use. Other items that may be useful include a straightedge or ruler, pen, pencil, and highlighter.

CTTP course participants are required to wear applicable personal protective equipment in the laboratory, including long pants, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses. Safety glasses, gloves, and other personal protective equipment may be borrowed from CTTP during the class.

Course Schedule

Each Hot Mix Asphalt Testing course will begin at 1:00 pm on Day 1 unless otherwise stated, with check-in and registration from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. Classroom and laboratory instruction will be provided on Day 1 and Day 2. Written and performance exams will be given on Day 3, with the course concluding no later than 4:00 pm on Day 3. More information can be found in the Detailed Course Schedule.

Exams

The Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician certification requires each participant to pass both a written and a performance exam. The written exam is closed-book, and subject to a two-hour time limit. In order to receive certification, 70% of all questions must be answered correctly on the written portion of the exam.

Performance exams must be performed individually, and are graded on a “pass/fail” basis. Participants must perform all methods correctly in order to pass the performance portion of the course. Two attempts are allowed at each station. The Hot Mix Asphalt Testing performance exam consists of six stations, including:

AASHTO T 166: Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens
AASHTO T 209: Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
AASHTO T 308: Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) by the Ignition Method
AASHTO T 312: Preparing and Determining the Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
ARDOT 449: Determination of Asphalt Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
ARDOT 461: Test Method for In-Place Density and Percent Compaction of Asphalt Concrete Hot Mix Using a Nuclear Gauge

Participants who do not pass the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course by failure of either the written or performance exam will be required to repeat the entire course.

Certification

Upon successful completion of both the written and performance exams, participants will receive a five-year certification in Hot Mix Asphalt Testing from CTTP. Certified individuals will receive a CTTP certificate and pocket card, and will be added to the CTTP website list of Certified Technicians. Expiration dates occur on a semi-annual basis, and will be either June 30 or December 31 after the five-year certification period.

Recertification in Hot Mix Asphalt may be achieved by successful completion of the standard 2 ½ day Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course.