Asphalt Plant Level 2 (Course & Exam)

Asphalt Plant Level

This is for the more experienced plant technician, private consultant or contractor employee who is knowledgeable in the specification requirements, stockpiling, cold feeds, blending and adjustments, interpreting quality control charts, plant calibration/inspection/operation, temperature control and load out. Additionally, this person is able to identify trends, norms, problem areas, other best management practices related to uniform mix and intricacies of hot mix asphalt production.

The objective of this qualification is to ensure personnel operating or inspecting an asphalt production operation (at a plant) are familiar with the Department Specification requirements, proper materials management, and equipment operation necessary to produce a Superpave mixture which will meet the mix design criteriaand mix production requirements.

All trainees seeking Asphalt Plant Level 2 qualification must:

(1) Pass the Asphalt Plant Level 2 written examination.

(2) First-time qualifiers must possess an active Asphalt Plant Level 1 qualification at the time of taking the Asphalt Plant Level 2 examination.

(3) Have 90 days experience in asphalt plant operations or asphalt mix testing.

After a trainee has successfully met all of these qualification requirements, the qualification date will be added to the training database. Qualification shall be for five years (60 months) from the date the last qualification examination requirement was satisfied.

This course is (three) 3 days including a written examination given in the second half of the third day (exam is 4 hours, multiple choice). The course emphasizes the need for uniformity and consistency of asphalt mix materials from the properties of component materials, blending, heating, drying, and mixing to loading and transporting of the mixture to the roadway. Proper stockpiling and loading aggregates into the cold feed bins will be emphasized. Blending and adjustment of blends based on tests are presented. Department specifications for acceptance of mix at the plant are reviewed and the basics of the statistical approach behind the specifications are presented to input data and to understand and recognize problems and then make changes in operation. Interpretation of quality control charts will be discussed and stressed. The theory and use of random numbers for obtaining samples will be reviewed. Plant calibration, inspection and operation will be presented. Proper loading, scale checks and mixture weighing will be explained. The need for uniformity of materials, proportions, temperature and quality control are emphasized.

Training course attendance is encouraged but is not required for qualification.

Course Prerequisites

Prior to attending the course, a trainee employed by the Department musthave taken and passed the Department Asphalt Concrete Plant Inspection self-study examination (CQC version) and have 90 days experience in asphalt plant operations.

Written Examination

An open book written examination (4 hours, multiple choice) is administered at the end of the course. The examinations are electronically graded by the CTQP Administrator. The passing grade for this examination is 70%. Two weeks should be allowed for grading and posting of the examination results.