State transportation agencies spend significant resources on bituminous materials to ensure our highways are durable and flexible. The asphalt binder is a highly engineered liquid petroleum product that must meet strict chemical and physical standards. However, its quality can be easily compromised by improper handling, temperature fluctuations, or poor sampling techniques at the job site or plant. A single contaminated sample can lead to the rejection of thousands of gallons of material, causing massive project delays and financial loss. Careful inspection and precise sampling are essential to verify that the material complies with engineering specifications. By mastering these procedures, you ensure that the taxpayer’s money is invested in high-quality materials that will perform reliably under heavy traffic and extreme weather.

This course delivers the specific technical information needed to inspect and sample asphalt binders according to TxDOT standards. During the course, you will be familiarized with the “best practices” for handling hazardous materials safely and efficiently. You will also discover how to document your samples properly to ensure they move through the lab testing process without non-compliance issues.

Course Objectives

By the completion of this training, you will be able to:

1. Execute Sampling Procedures: Perform the correct techniques for sampling bituminous materials, pre-molded joint fillers, and joint sealers.
2. Apply TxDOT Specifications: Implement the standards found in the TxDOT Specification Manual Item 300 for asphalts, oils, and emulsions.
3. Manage Quality Programs: Operate within the Asphalt Binder Quality Program (Tex-545-C) and monitor quality for rubber asphalt crack sealers.
4. Utilize Guidance Documentation: Use the Asphalt Binder Inspection and Sampling Guidance and the Guide Schedule of Sampling & Testing for Design-Bid-Build projects.
5. Navigate Data Dashboards: Analyze material performance data using the Asphalt Binder Branch Dashboards.

You Get

• Self-Paced, Online, On-Demand 3-hour Course.
• Access to an Easy navigation Learning Management System.
• Learning Management System Login.
• The course is broken into video presentations lasting 5 -20 minutes.
• Quizzes ending every class module/Final Exam.
• Certificate of Completion that qualifies you to get inspector level I Certificate.
• Reference Library.
• Downloadable Inspector Aides.
• Online VRX Institute support.
• Stop, start, rewind, retake classes.

Click below to see an example of the course content.