Asphalt Academy

Feedback to RPF

23 November 2005

The Asphalt Academy(AsAc)

• Established January 2001 (launch May 2001 RPF)• Registered as a Trust on 5 June 2002• Non-profit organisation• Managed by a Board of Trustees• Collaborative initiative between Sabita and CSIR,

Transportek• Annual Focus:

2001 Establishment2002 Course Development2003 Course Presentation (58 courses scheduled)2004 CAPSA & modification of strategy2005 Consolidation of strategy with increased independence from sponsors and a broader sponsorship base

Operational Thrust Areas

Education, Training and Development• Ensure that courses and curricula offered at institutions

of learning are consistent and relevant to industry needs through:– Regular assessment of course curricula– Providing relevant knowledge transfer to lecturers,

trainers and learners• Ensure that courses and post-graduate studies are

properly scheduled, coordinated and aligned with relevant legislation and quality standards

Knowledge transfer to practitioners:• Hold seminars and workshops to disseminate best

practice• Publish and distribute manuals• Manage and maintain appropriate information systems• Support and participate in CAPSA and RPF activities• Support of Sabita and CSIR Transportek courses and

initiatives within South Africa and into SADC countries

Progress to November 2005

• Two best-practice manuals published and launched:– TG 1: The use and application of modified

binders– TG 2: The design and use of foamed bitumen

treated material• 6 new courses developed in line with industry

unit standards:– Introduction to bitumen– Application of surface seals– Application of HMA– Manufacture of HMA– Bituminous pavement repairs (LIC)– Construction of surface seals (LIC)

• Other courses developed and presented:– Asphalt Testers course (ATC)– Design of surfacing seals (revised TRH 3)– Design of Hot mix Asphalt (SAHMA design

guide)

Progress to November 2005 ..cont

• Over R250 000 invested in course development and upgrading

• R250 000 for the current financial year mainly for the Block Course in Flexible Pavement Engineering

• Improved understanding of AsAc’s role related to the CETA and SGB

• Sabita library relocated at Transportek as the AsAc library

• Two RPF task groups convened• CAPSA 04• Course schedule optimised• Strategic alliances:

– KZN DoT– SARF– Training providers

Course Profile to November 2005

Education, Training and Development

No of Courses

No of Attendees

Introduction to bitumen 21 393

Application of surfacing seals 8 158

Asphalt Testers Course (ATC) 24 235

Bituminous Materials on Site 2 13

Application of HMA 7 124

Design of HMA 3 49

Design of Surfacing Seals 4 135

Advanced Bitumen Course 1 38

Quality management of bitumen 1 47

TOTALS 71 1 192

Profile of other activities to November 2005

Ongoing Practitioner Development

DateNo of

Attendees

No of sales

TG 1: Modified Binders Guideline Oct ’01 249 1054

TG 2: Foam Bitumen Guideline Sep ’02 256 1013

TRH 3/IGHMA Design Launch Jun ’01 360 39

Ultra Thin Asphalt workshop May ‘02 51

Foam Bitumen workshop (SAT/Gautrans) Mar ‘04 118

SARF Compaction courses Ongoing 207

CAPSA Tutorials Sep ’04 87

CAPSA 04 Sep ‘04 416

SuperSurf Launch Mar ‘05 267

Sabita manual 24 launch Ongoing 69

TOTALS 1 951 2 106

Summary of Activities

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Numbers

2005/06 Issues and Initiatives

• Capacity• Relationship with Tertiary Institutions and

accreditation of courses and presenters• Relationship with the CETA and

acceptance/accreditation of AsAc courses• Expansion of Strategic Alliances

– Strategic partners to expand sponsorship base– Targeted client authorities in line with training

needs of Provinces– SAICE/SAACE/SAFCEC– EPWP

• Block Course on Flexible Pavement Engineering

• Revision and upgrade of ATC modules• Upgrade of TG documents• Bitumen Safety Course

Relationship with Tertiary Institutions

• Alliance with Continued Education structures

• Pre-empts the need for accreditation

• Focus on NQF level 4 and above for courses

• Ad hoc feedback of best-practice

Relationship with CETA

• Provide technical support to CETA• Industry entry point for bituminous products• Course material provided• AsAc will coordinate technical input into the

quality of the training material related to bituminous products unit standards

• AsAc will provide input into the accreditation process of course presenters

Block course in Flexible Pavement Engineering

• Targeted at new entrants into the road sector (civil engineers, technicians & technologists)

• 7 modules over 11 weeks– Overview 1 week– Materials investigation & design 3

weeks– Structural pavement design 2 weeks– Tendering & documentation 1 week– Construction & quality control 2 weeks– Maintenance & asset management 1 week– Final assessment 1 week

Block course in Flexible Pavement Engineering

• Run through tertiary institutions• Project theme through all the modules

as course work for final assessment– New construction– Rehabilitation

• CSIR commissioned to put together existing material and identify development areas

• Presented over 11 weeks in a year from May/June 06

• Linkage to higher degree or CPD points

Revision & Upgrade of ATC

• Course restructured into 5 modules– Sampling 3 days complete– Granular materials 5 days Dec 05– Aggregates 4 days review– Bituminous products 5 days Dec 05– Asphalt 5 days complete

• Course notes can be modified for level of learners

• Theory am; Practical pm• Course presented from March 06 at TUT,

CPUT and DIT (web site for further info)

Revision of TG documents

• TG 1: Modified Binders– In parallel to Bit Spec revision– Tests on report need updating (DR

database)– Classification needs review - not totally

suitable for new modifiers in the market– Resolution:

RPF should reconvene the Modified Binders Task Group under the Chairpersonship of D Rossmann

• TG 2: Foam Bitumen– To be incorporated into the new Bitumen

Stabilisation manual

Other Initiatives• BitSafe Training Programme

– Course run through AsAc on behalf of Sabita

– Trainers course– Linked to unit standards– Certification under discussion– On line in first quarter of 2006

• Manual 24; Practical HMA Design Guide– One seminar in Pretoria– KZN - 15 Feb 06– Western Cape – 16 Feb 06

• Industry needs survey• HMA Forensic study feedback

Thank

You