Construction Program Management and Inspection Guide

D–18
Appendix D: Inspections-in-Depth
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION GUIDE (5/01/04)
Paving
Verify that the quality control/quality acceptance procedures
maintain effective inspection at all points of work.
Conventional Seals
Evaluate:
▼ Contractor’s equipment and procedures.
▼ Condition (properly cleaned, patched, and graded) of
the surface to receive the prime or surface treatment
asphalt.
▼ Control of heating and means for the verification of the
quantity and temperatures of the asphalt.
▼ Quality and quantity of aggregate.
▼ Weather conditions at the time of application.
▼ Technique for application of cover stone and the
attention given to the obtainment of uniformity and
completeness of coverage.
▼ Rolling and subsequent maintenance of the cover stone
during the curing or setting period.
▼ Requirements for opening to traffic.
Hot-Mix Asphalt Pavements
Prior to observing work, examine the prepave meeting
minutes. Use these notes to become familiar with work
processes to be observed. Discuss procedures established to
maintain continuous and effective inspection at all points of
work and proper liaison between quarry, plant, and paving
operations. Verify that plant production has been designed to
meet delivery, laydown, and compaction rates (i.e.,
continuous production with minimal stops and starts).
Evaluate:
▼ Equipment, to determine whether its type, size, and
operation comply with the contract requirements, if
applicable.
▼ Backup equipment in case of breakdowns.
▼ Procedures for checking and maintaining payment
records for asphalt and the asphalt mix, and for
documenting that all items paid for are actually
incorporated into the pavement; pay particular attention
to criteria established to define acceptance.
▼ Diaries, plant and road reports, and other day-to-day
records of the operations.
▼ Use of control charts to control operations.
▼ Operation of cold-feed proportioning, the dryer,
screening, and batching equipment.
▼ Mixing time.
▼ Substrata condition ahead of the placement of the hotmix
asphalt (i.e., tack or prime coat, cleaning, patching,
absence of raveling, etc.).
▼ Adequacy and effectiveness of the contractor’s
operations and the STA’s inspection of the laying
operations.
▼ Continuity in the delivery, laydown, and compaction
(minimal stops and starts).
▼ Temperature of the mix versus required range (plant
and laydown).
▼ Thickness and calculated spread rate.
▼ Slope pavement (eliminate edge dropoffs for errant
vehicles).
▼ Density results.
▼ Finished section smoothness, cross-section, and
transitions.
▼ Grade match into manholes, curb and gutter, and water
valves.
▼ Work zone safety and control.
▼ Uniformity of gradation, asphalt content, and other mix
properties.
▼ Applicable contract warranties.
Observe field inspector and laboratory personnel as they
perform their normal duties. Comment on inspections of the
batching operations, weighing of trucks (both empty and
full), collection of samples at all points and where they are
taken, performance of the various tests, adequacy of the
facilities and equipment, etc. Comment on how soon test
results are available and necessary adjustments or corrections
are made based on this information.