30 SPRING/SUMMER 2023 These qualities included lab experience, balance mix design performance testing knowledge, intrapersonal communication skills, and a passion for their field. In addition, the class instructors chosen worked diligently in relay for the benefit of the students who participated in this class, ensuring each student could learn and understand the material. “The Virginia Asphalt Association is privileged to have highly experienced individuals in key roles throughout the commonwealth willing to share their knowledge and experience,” Dudley said. Jon Fogle, Senior Lab Technician for Superior Paving, started the class with an overview of aggregate properties, followed by lab demonstrations and hands-on learning. He was joined by a fellow Superior Paving colleague and Lab Manager, Richie Maddox, who taught designing non-standard mixes. We offer special thanks to Superior Paving for sending both knowledgeable instructors to help us teach! Scott Quire, Technical Director for Bluegrass Testing Laboratory, took over for Jon Fogle to teach binder properties and impacts on mix design. Scott’s expertise in this field is unparalleled and his ability to share his knowledge with the students was a significant addition to the class. Tying these subjects together, VAA Director Mike Dudley taught laboratory mix portioning and mixing asphalt samples. Andre Royal, Asphalt Quality Assurance Manager for Boxley Materials, followed this segment with oven correction factor procedures and demonstrations before being joined again by Mike Dudley to teach gyratory pill compaction. This duo also taught permeability through demonstration and hands-on learning. PLANT TECHNICIAN 101 Asphalt Mix Design Training David Lee, PE, Vice President, Virginia Asphalt Association The first Asphalt Mix Design Technician Training Class from the Virginia Education Center for Asphalt Technology (VECAT) is a wrap! Seven students engaged in the intensive class, covering key elements of mix design, from aggregate consensus properties to Balanced Mix Design (BMD) performance testing, over five weeks. Instruction consisted of classroom learning and—most popular— hands-on labs. Students performed sampling, testing, and mix design computations on specific materials, then returned to evaluate their testing and calculations before starting the next module. “It gives everyone an opportunity to experiment with the testing and to correct any mistakes in a learning environment,” shared Chris Clatterbuck of Chemung Contracting. “Being a visual learner, my favorite part was being right here in the lab!” agreed William Banks. “I would definitely recommend this class. 10 out of 10 for everyone to come here and learn something new. I’ve been working in the asphalt industry for ten years, and I learned a lot.” Banks works for the Virginia Paving Company in the Hampton Roads Division. Another important element of the class was mixture and plant troubleshooting. While not a distinct portion of the certification exam, this granted more time to discuss the various steps in evaluating mixes as they go through the plant. It also prepared students to take appropriate steps when mixes don’t go as planned. Mike Dudley, Director for Virginia Asphalt Association, had a hand in selecting the instructors for this class and looked for several qualities necessary to successfully deliver key elements of this class.
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