Home » Training » Live & Online Training » Optimizing Volumetrics using the Bailey Method
Asphalt Institute Academy

Upcoming Class Dates

DatesTimesLocationRegistration
TBDDay 1: 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Day 2 – 4: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Day 5: 8:00AM – 12:00PM
Lexington, KYComing in 2025
If you are interested in attending a Bailey Method course, but cannot attend this offering, please contact our offices at 859.288.4960 to be added to a wait list for a potential additional offering.

Description

This course provides advanced technicians, designers, and engineers with a valuable method for understanding how the aggregate structure of an asphalt mixture affects volumetrics, field compactibility, and segregation potential. The course is taught by Bill Pine, Quality Control Director of Asphalt Technology at Heritage Construction & Materials, Inc. Bill begins with the basics of the Bailey Method and then quickly builds to give students an intensive look into the Bailey Method’s full potential. Bill, who is the renowned national expert in the use of the Bailey Method, will show students the factors that influence the way aggregate particles pack together and how to define and evaluate mix types according to Bailey Method principles. Students will also learn how to incorporate and handle RAP and/or RAS into the process. Students will receive a full version of Bill’s latest edition of the Bailey Method analysis software and hands-on training by Bill on the use of this software. The instructors will go through many examples and offer plenty of question/discussion time to maximize student comprehension. The class can accommodate up to 20 students, which will enable students to have plenty of access to our experienced instructors for Q&A at any time during the course.

A laptop is Necessary for this course! Students should bring a laptop computer pre-loaded with a fully operational copy of Microsoft Word & Excel 2010® or newer and Adobe Reader®. Students will not be downloading any software, simply receiving a USB device which holds the Word, Excel (with macros) and PDF files to be used during and after the course.

Who Should Attend

This course has been developed primarily to meet the needs of those actively involved in asphalt mixture design and field management of asphalt mixtures. State and local transportation agencies, consultants and contractors who are involved in asphalt mixture materials and design will benefit from this course. However, the course will benefit anyone who would like to improve their understanding of how the aggregate structure of an asphalt mixture affects volumetrics, field compactibility, and segregation potential.

Note: Attendance of the Asphalt Institute’s Mix Design Technology course is not a mandatory prerequisite, but we encourage attendance to best prepare the student for this advanced course on mixture analysis. Mix design and quality control experience are strongly recommended.

Fees & Registration

  • The registration fee for this in-person course is $1,895.
  • Registration fees must be received prior to the course date.
  • The fee includes an elaborate course workbook with extensive speaker notes for each PowerPoint slide, along with the latest Excel analysis spreadsheets developed by Bill Pine, the course instructor. These course materials (workbook and software) are available exclusively only to those taking this course. This fee also includes refreshments and lunches.
  • Early registration is recommended as the classes are limited to 20 students per instructor.
  • The Asphalt Institute has the right to cancel this class if registration does not meet a minimum number of students. Registrants will be notified 14 days prior to the class if this occurs.

Professional Development Hours

  • 5 day course, 30 PDHs

More Information on Utilizing the Bailey Method

The Bailey method was originally developed by Robert D. Bailey of the Illinois Department of Transportation in the early 1980s. It is a practical tool that has been successfully utilized for developing and analyzing hot asphalt mixes in the lab and field. The Bailey method provides a good starting point for mix design and an invaluable aid when making adjustments at the plant to improve air voids, VMA and the overall workability of the mix, whether you are using Marshall or Superpave. The paper describes the methodology in detail with some real life examples to help mix designers and contractors better understand the mixes that are currently being used across Canada.

Essentially, the “Bailey Method of Gradation Selection” is a tool for developing and analyzing blend gradations in the lab and field. It gives designers and contractors a better appreciation of aggregate packing and its influence on mix volumetrics and compactibility. The method includes guidelines for evaluating aggregates and the aggregate blend by volume, as well as by weight, and makes provision for the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP).

The focus of the Bailey method is aggregate packing. In order to better understand aggregate packing, we need to determine what particles form the coarse aggregate structure and which ones fit into the voids created within that structure.

The Bailey Method applies to coarse-graded, fine-graded and SMA mixtures. The method can help explain why some Superpave mixes are difficult to compact. It also provides insight as to why small gradation changes, which often occur during production and are within allowable tolerances, can cause significant changes to mixture volumetric properties and/or field compactibility.

Notes

  • If you work for an Asphalt Institute member company and this is your first time registering, please call 859.288.4960 if you need assistance in setting up an account.

Transfers, Cancellation and Refund Policy

  • For the virtual course, you may cancel without penalty up to one week prior to course start date. If you provide the Asphalt Institute with less than one week’s notice, or fail to attend, you will be liable for the entire seminar fee.
  • For in-person courses you may also send someone to take your place. We appreciate that this is an important investment for you and your company and would like to accommodate your needs the best we can. Therefore, please call us at 859.288.4960.

Inclement Weather Info

In case of inclement weather please check our Inclement Weather Information page for further instructions.

For more information contact

Asphalt Institute Headquarters
Phone: 859.288.4960
Fax: 859.288.4999
Email: seminars@asphaltinstitute.org