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TRB asphalt poster winners announced
Winners of the asphalt poster contests at the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) 91st annual meeting in Washington, D.C. were awarded a special Asphalt Institute prize in January.
For several years, the asphalt materials section committees have sponsored sessions that have been combined into one large poster session. This combined session is an excellent opportunity for asphalt technologists to come together in a single location at an otherwise busy TRB meeting to review the latest research concerning the asphalt industry.
This year to address the large quantity of submitted papers, there were
two combined poster sessions. The committee leadership for the past few years has also recognized the “Best Poster” in the asphalt section. ...
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AI wins award for 2011 directory
The Asphalt Institute (AI) was awarded a TRENDS All Media Contest Gold Award in the "Membership Directory" category for 2011.
AI Member Services Manager Karen Embs traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on Feb. 10. Embs is the principal editor of the directory.
The TRENDS contest is open to all associations and drew more than 400 entries in 22 categories this year. Associations are judged on the quality, appearance and content of their publications, including trade magazines, journals, annual reports, promotional items, media/advertising kits, newsletters, educational/informational/public service announcements, websites, integrated social media efforts, convention/trade show/meetings materials and membership directories among others.
Judge's commented on the quality of the cover design. "The design is eye-catching and clean while simultaneously incorporating a clever motif to convey the organization’s emphasis on service to its members," one judge noted.
Check out a gallery of AI TRENDS winners
Petty to speak at International Roofing Expo
NASCAR's Kyle Petty will present the keynote address during the 2012 International Roofing Expo, February 22-24, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Taking place Wednesday, February 22, from 9:45 am to 10:50 am, Petty will present, “What a Ride: Life, Family, Community and the Race Track,” in room #S320A in South Hall A.
During this moving presentation, Petty takes audiences on an anecdotal journey through his life as a businessman, philanthropist and as one of NASCAR’s most respected drivers. He explores consistently striving for excellence, living up to your promises, teamwork, helping the community and commitment to family.
“With NASCAR taking place the same week as our show, we really wanted another speaker from the NASCAR world,” said Lindsay Roberts, Director of the Int’l Roofing Expo. “As a member of NASCAR's most famous family, Kyle Petty is the perfect replacement."
The International Roofing Expo is a two-day event designed for commercial and residential roofing professionals to stay abreast of market directions, trends and cutting-edge technology. The official show sponsor is NRCA.
For more about IRE
Talking Asphalt: Density and compaction – February 2012
This month, I’m back to my series of columns on factors affecting asphalt pavement performance. This column is about density and compaction. I believe density is the most critical construction property influencing pavement performance.
For asphalt pavements, compaction is the means of compressing the asphalt mix into a smaller volume. This process forces the aggregate particles together, which is necessary to increase the stability, rutting resistance and load-carrying capability. The strength and durability of a pavement is greatly dependent on achieving interlock, or stone-to-stone contact, of the aggregate particles. The compaction process decreases permeability, which in turn increases mix durability. Water and oxygen can damage asphalt materials. Achieving an impermeable condition is important for avoiding oxidation and stripping. Density is the measurement of the degree of compaction.
Mixture compaction is dependent on the mix properties, the environmental conditions, and the placement conditions. Obviously, mixes with rough-textured surfaces and stiff binders take more effort to compact. ...
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AI adds new international, commercial and associate members
The Asphalt Institute (AI) recently welcomed several new members to their organization.
Industrias Zahori is a new international member, based in Mexicali, Mexico. The company is a manufacturer and reseller of asphalt products in Mexico.
Henry Company is a new commercial member, based in El Segundo, CA. The company manufactures roof coatings and building envelope systems.
Blue Line Transportation Co., Inc., based in Portland, Oregon is a new associate member. The company manufactures and transports asphalt products.
Peckham Asphalt Resale Corporation from White Plains, New York is also a new associate member. The company is a liquid asphalt reseller.
AI's current membership stands at 123 members.
Learn more about AI membership
Talking Asphalt: Emphasizing preservation – January 2011
It seems to me that the time for focusing on the construction of new highways has largely passed. Yes, there will be some new projects – lane additions, bypasses, realignments and even a few completely new routes. But, in the U.S., our primary focus has, or should be, shifted to maintaining the highways we have in place. That means pavement preservation, which can be described as a strategy for managing pavement conditions to maximize the pavement’s life at minimal cost.
For some of us, pavement preservation is a big challenge. I come from a hot mix background, and I see the issue as simply adding new tools to what we’ve always used. To make this change, we need to overcome a few mental hurdles and then gear up to do the work.
Before making wholesale changes in our approach, we need to have a well thought out plan for addressing our pavements. Using the same old approach may not be the best way. There may be other, or new, materials or techniques that will work better and save time and/or money. It may be time to look at some other options. ...
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Robertson added to AI Roll of Honor
Dr. Raymond E. Robertson is the newest recipient of the Asphalt Institute (AI) Roll of Honor award.
Robertson is best known in the industry for his work with the Western Research Institute (WRI) in leading their asphalt research program from 1987 to 2009.
He served as chairman of the Petersen Asphalt Research Conference. The international conference advances knowledge of asphalt chemistry, physical properties and how their interactions affect the performance of asphalt applications throughout a life cycle.
Robertson authored and co-authored numerous technical papers for the Transportation Research Board and the Strategic Highway Research Program. His work on "TRB Circular C499, Chemical Properties of Asphalts and Their Effects on Pavement Performance" successfully summarized 20 years of research on rheological properties of asphalt.
AI President Pete Grass (right) presented the award to Robertson at the AI annual meeting in Chandler, Arizona in December.
Burns named AI chairman for 2012
The Asphalt Institute (AI) named J. Baxter Burns II of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions 2012 Chairman of the Board of Directors at the institute’s annual meeting in Chandler, Arizona in December.
Dave Blackburn of Asphalt Materials, Inc. was named Vice Chairman of the institute for 2012.
Burns is President of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi. He previously served as AI Chairman in 2003. He also served as Vice President of the Bitumen Industry Health Forum (BIHF) for several years. BIHF was formed to prepare for the IARC Monograph.
"It is an honor, and I consider it a privilege to lead the Asphalt Institute for 2012. I have witnessed many trials and tribulations this industry has experienced, and without fail the Asphalt Institute has carried this industry through unscathed," said Burns.
"As we have witnessed, when we have a good plan, are well prepared and execute perfectly there is nothing we as an industry cannot conquer," added Burns.
The Asphalt Institute was founded in 1919 and is the international trade association of petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers and affiliated businesses. AI promotes the use, benefits and quality performance of petroleum asphalt.
Roofing expo set for Orlando
Online registration is now open for the 2012 International Roofing Expo, taking place February 22-24, in South Hall A at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
"Returning to Orlando after a seven-year absence makes this an event that should not be missed by anyone in this industry,” said Bill Good, Executive Vice President of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).
The International Roofing Expo is the must-attend event for commercial and residential roofing professionals to stay abreast of market directions, trends and cutting-edge technology. The official show sponsor is NRCA; the official show publication is "Roofing Contractor" and the official residential publication is "Replacement Contractor."
Register today
MnDOT honored with APA Perpetual Pavement Award
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) received their Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) Perpetual Pavement award in December at the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association annual meeting in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Accepting the award from APA Executive Director Mike Kvach (left) were Troy Plaster of Ulland Brothers, Inc. (center) and MnDOT Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer Bernie Arseneau (right.)
These national awards are given to owners of asphalt pavements that are at least 35 years old and have never had a structural failure. The average interval between resurfacing of each winning pavement must be no less than 12 years.
MnDOT was singled out for a five-mile section of U.S. Trunk Highway 61 from milepost 57.5 to 62.5. Initial construction began in 1969 on the pavement, which is part of the 154-mile North Shore Scenic Byway that connects Duluth to Grand Portage.
Each winner receives an engraved crystal obelisk and a plaque. Their names and the names of the projects will be added to a permanent plaque that is kept at NCAT.
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance is a coalition of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the Asphalt Institute and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations. The Asphalt Pavement Alliance's mission is to further the use and quality of asphalt pavements.
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