The production practice "Laying asphalt concrete mixes designed by the volumetric-functional method: features of compaction, and technology of continuous laying" lasted two days: March 30-31, 2021. The seminar was organized by experts of the FAA "ROSDORNIA", Moscow Automobile and Road Technical University, Caterpillar and its official dealer LLC "Zeppelin Rusland" for representatives of contracting organizations involved in the implementation of the National Project "Safe High-quality Roads". More than 80 specialists from Kursk, Smolensk, Tula, Ryazan, Moscow, Leningrad and Vologda regions gathered at the MADI Training and Research Center.
In 2020, with the release of a series of new GOST standards, the road industry in Russia began the last stage of technological re-equipment, which will lead to a complete departure from outdated asphalt concrete. To achieve a high-quality result, a large number of specialists are involved: in the design of pavement structures, the selection of the optimal composition recipe in the laboratory, the production of asphalt concrete mixture at the ABZ, control the quality and acceptance of the work performed, and of course – the process of laying and compacting the asphalt concrete layer on the road.
A large number of educational webinars were organized by the experts of the FAA "ROSDORNIA" to improve the skills of road workers in 2020, but it became clear that it was impossible to talk about the features of laying and compacting asphalt concrete mixtures designed by the volumetric-functional method only in the format of theory, and without reinforcing this knowledge with a visual demonstration of the work of the technological link. It was this idea that served as the starting point for the two-day production practice.
This was stated from the stage during the welcoming speech by the Deputy Director for Organizational Activities of the CC FAU "ROSDORNII"Yuri Belyaev.
«Today, it is more important than ever for us to reach a new level of work culture and get away from endless repairs of the same road sections. The full-scale application of the best repair and construction technologies that are used all over the world makes it possible for our country to build for real safe and high—quality highways," he saidYuri Belyaev.
The theoretical part of the seminar consisted of a series of lectures containing key information about the structure and properties of asphalt concrete designed by the volumetric-functional method, about the main differences in the work of the paver and rollers when working with traditional mixtures according to GOST 9128, as well as about possible defects when laying asphalt concrete mixtures and advanced leveling systems. Leading experts of the road industry gave their lectures, the audience showed great interest in the material, even after the end of the speeches, the speakers answered the questions of the seminar participants for a long time.
At the end of the theoretical part of the seminar, the long-awaited moment came, and now the noise of the diesel engines of the paver, loader, roller and loader was heard.
Acting Rector of MADI,Andrey Keller also addressed the participants of the event.
"Our university is the leading automobile and road institute in the country, and our doors are always open to people interested in developing the scientific and technical potential of the industry. We welcome the opportunity cooperation, because such events are points of growth of partnerships", — greeted the audienceAndrew Keller.
Given the limited space of the site and the time of year, to demonstrate the correct operation of the mechanisms, it was decided to use sand instead of asphalt concrete mix. This made it possible to perform a test laying and compaction of the layer several times on the same site in order to sort out all possible errors during the operation of the link. In addition, also using the example of working machines, the experts analyzed the features of the road milling cutter and the asphalt concrete mixture loader.
The road workers were not only clearly shown all the details of the process, but also offered to apply the new knowledge in practice themselves. During the test laying, one of the volunteers was asked to independently adjust the paver in compliance with the recommendations made, and as a result, the laid layer met all the requirements of evenness.
The correct location of the levelling system sensors, the correct adjustment of the operating modes of the distribution screw, the vibrating beam and the vibrating plate, the motion patterns of the rollers – The experts of the seminar shared this and many other knowledge with the participants in two days.
The number of applications for participation in this seminar was so large that after the end, the organizers agreed to discuss the possibility of holding a number of similar practical events in other Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. The next such seminar is scheduled for April 6-7. It will be held in the Orenburg region.
"Such a huge interest in the current seminar is a good indicator that our work finds a great response, and such events organized by professionals for professionals will become a tradition. I hope that you will be able to apply all the knowledge and skills acquired here in production this year," concluded Holger Schultz, CEO of OOO Zeppelin Rusland.
Such a full-scale production practice became possible thanks to the organization of the event by an official Cat® dealer Zeppelin Rusland LLC, which provided Caterpillar production equipment for the show.