FIELD MANAGEMENT OF HMA BOOSTS PAVEMENT QUALITY

Field management strategies are utilized to improve the quality of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. Improved pavements are achieved by ensuring that the quality of the mix beign produced in the plant meets approved performance and mix design specifications. Mix verification and voids analysis conducted on-site can help identify and correct mix production problems, thus reducing the amount of subpar material that is laid. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has instituted a bituminous quality management program in partnership with the construction industry, which consists of continuous field testing conducted by the contractor to verify the laboratory mix designs. In Minnesota, 3,700 technicians have been trained in bituminous courses. Since the program started, rutting has been eliminated on ensuing HMA projects. Experience in Iowa and Alabama are also described.