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ASTM/ACES Performance Grading (PG) of Asphalt Binders - Tests Procedures

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Price: $700
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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the structure and organization of all ASTM tests related to Superpave Binder Specifications and testing
  • Knowledge of all required tests for asphalt binder Performance Grading, which includes:
    • Flash Point (FP)
    • Rotational Viscosity (RV)
    • Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
    • Polymer Separation Tendency
    • Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR)
    • Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test (RTFO)
    • Pressurized Aging Vessel (PAV)
    • Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)
    • Direct Tension Test (DTT)
  • Ability to Performance Grade (PG) the asphalt binder in Determination and Verification modes
  • Knowledge of Grade Bumping and MSCR Grading
  • Obtain Mixing and Compaction Temperatures using Rotational Viscosity testing and Phase Angle evaluation
  • Need of Polymer modification to suit the different Pavement Temperature Zones
Course Logistics

The course will be held 4 hours per day for 4 days for a total of 16 hours.

The course will be offered virtually using Zoom and will include virtual lectures, experiments videos and live lab-based video demonstrations of included ASTM test methods.

The course will be offered in two formats: 1) course with online exam, and 2) course without exam.

Duration of the Course

CEUs and Certificate

CEUs: 1.6

Attendees selecting the course without the exam, or attendees not passing the exam, if attending more than 90% of the course lectures, will receive an ASTM Certificate of Completion. Attendees passing the exam will receive an ASTM Certificate of Completion and ASTM Exam Digital Badge.

Who Should Attend

Civil Engineers, supervisors and technicians working in the field of highway construction, highway maintenance, polymer modification of asphalt binders and production of asphalt mixtures can benefit from this course.

About the Course

ASTM in cooperation with Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) are pleased to organize a training course entitled Performance Grading (PG) of Asphalt Binders - Tests Procedures

This course is designed to provide participants with information and basic knowledge about the Superpave generated Performance Grading (PG) system for asphalt binders, as well as to develop their skills and expertise to perform the required tests to enable grading the asphalt binders according to the PG grading system. The course focuses on the transfer of modern information for trainees. The course is divided into theoretical lectures and practical examples.

The PG system uses a common set of tests to measure physical properties of the binder that can be directly related to field performance of the pavement at extreme temperatures. A binder graded by PG system should meet all specified criteria by this common set of tests. The course aims to identify and discuss the various required tests to find the PG of the asphalt binders, the suitability of the obtained PG grades to the different pavement temperature zones and the required polymer modifications of the asphalt binders to suit the different temperature zones.

The course will explain in detail how to perform the Rotational Viscometer (RV) test, the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) tests at different levels of aging and test temperatures which are related to the rutting and fatigue cracking of pavement failure modes. Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) of Asphalt Binder using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer testing to evaluate presence of elastic response and stress dependence of polymer modified and unmodified asphalt binders, will be discussed. In addition, the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) and Direct Tension Test (DTT) at certain level of aging that is used to evaluate the binder properties under low temperature, which is related to the low temperature cracking of pavement failure mode will also be explained. Aging of the asphalt by the Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO), which simulates the short-term aging of the asphalt binder during the mixing and construction phases of the asphalt concrete mixes, and the Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) aging, which simulates the long-term aging of the asphalt binder after the AC pavement is in service about 10 years are included in the course.

Exam Logistics

Examinees will be able to access their account one week prior to the scheduled time and date of the exam to prevent any delays to accessing the exam on the scheduled date. Please note that the exam will not be accessible by the participant until the scheduled time.

Information about the Proctoring Solution

ASTM utilizes the Proctorio Record and Review proctoring solution. Participants will need to meet the following system requirements:

  • An internet connection
  • Google Chrome and the Proctorio Chrome extension
  • A webcam
  • A microphone
  • Participants will need to install the Chrome Proctorio extension which allows for screen recording. Please note that participants will be prompted to install the extension and go through a series of checks after they click on their scheduled assessment in the Questionmark platform. The pre-check phase includes disabling any additional monitors and closing any additional web tabs.

    After the pre-check phase, participants will be prompted to present identification and will then proceed through a webcam image test.

    After all checks have been completed, participants will be shown an Exam Agreement screen and will need to click to indicate that they accept before proceeding to the Introduction screen for the exam.

    About the Exam

    Each test session begins with an informational section, Introduction, that points out the different operational and navigation tools of the exam. This section of the exam does not affect any time limits placed on the exam.

    During the exam, participants will see one question at a time, but can move forward or backwards to view or review other questions. Correct answers will usually be selected by clicking on the circle next to the item choices. Questions may have more than one correct answer, but in those cases, examinees will be informed.

    Examinees will receive their score at the conclusion of the exam session.

    Successful completion of the examination will result in being listed on the registry

    Examinees that successfully pass the exam will receive a digital badge within two (2) weeks of the exam.

    ASTM Standards Referenced

    The course includes all the required tests for PG grading of asphalt binders, which are:

    1. ASTM D23 Standard Test Method for Determining the Fracture Properties of Asphalt Binder in Direct Tension (DT)
    2. ASTM D92 Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
    3. ASTM D2872 Standard Test Method for Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
    4. ASTM D4402 Standard Test Method for Viscosity Determination of Asphalt at Elevated Temperatures Using a Rotational Viscometer
    5. ASTM D6521 Standard Practice for Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using a Pressurized Aging Vessel (PAV)
    6. ASTM D6648 Standard Test Method for Determining the Flexural Creep Stiffness of Asphalt Binder Using the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)
    7. ASTM D7173 Standard Practice for Determining the Separation Tendency of Polymer from Polymer-Modified Asphalt
    8. ASTM D7175 Standard Test Method for Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer
    9. ASTM D7405 Standard Test Method for Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer

    Fee Includes

    Attendee Fees:

  • No Exam: $700 per student, USD.
  • With Exam: $800 per student, USD.
  • Attendee Limit and Minimum per Course: 25 maximum/10 minimum

    This cost covers the following:

  • Attending the course sessions
  • Getting digital course notes
  • Digital ASTM standards of all included tests