Engineering and Technical

Asphalt Technology and Surfacing Operations

Asphalt is placed hot, compacted within a closing window and judged for years afterwards, so the difference between a surfacing that lasts and one that ravels is often a temperature reading and a roller pass. This course focuses on that window. Delegates work through bitumen and its behaviour, penetration grade, viscosity, ageing and the modification that changes performance. Mix types are covered across continuously graded, gap graded, stone mastic and porous asphalt, with where each belongs. Mix design follows, including binder content optimisation and voids. Plant production is addressed: aggregate drying, mixing temperature and the overheating that damages binder. Transport and temperature loss are covered. Paving is addressed practically, covering paver speed, mat thickness, joints and segregation. Compaction is treated in detail, including roller patterns and the temperature at which compaction stops being effective. Surface treatments and seals follow. The course closes on defects, on their causes and on recycling asphalt.