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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of materials used in asphalt paving production and construction
Level / 4 / Credits / 10
Purpose / This unit standard is designed for people requiring technical knowledge of asphalt mixes such as asphalt paving supervisors and production plant operators.
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: materials used in asphalt paving mixes; types and properties of asphalt mixes; and tests and sampling procedures for bitumen, aggregates, and asphalt mixes.
Classification / Pavement Surfacing > Asphalt Surfacing
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1The following requirements apply to this unit standard, and must be complied with:
Chipsealing in New Zealand,New Zealand Transport Authority, available at
MS-2 Mix Design Methods,Asphalt Institute, available at
New Zealand Transport Agency specifications at
NZTA M1:Specification forRoading Bitumens;
NZTA M10: Specification for Asphaltic Concrete;
NZTA P11:Specification forOpen Graded Porous Asphalt;
NZTA P11 Notes:Notes to the Specification forOpen Graded Porous Asphalt;
NZTA Q2: Specification for Quality Assurance for Hot Mix Asphalt;
Where specified in the contract documents, the following pilot specifications, or confirmation of their currency, are available by contacting the Operations Manager, New Zealand Transport Agency National Office, Telephone 04 894 6316;
NZTA P18P: Pilot Performance Based Specification for Hot Mix Asphalt.
Any requirements superseding any of the above will apply, pending the review of this unit standard.
2Assessment against this unit standard may be based on evidence from workplace and/or provider contexts.
3Definition
Bituminous material means bituminous liquids and materials containing bitumen that are applied to pavement surfaces.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe materials used in asphalt paving mixes.
Evidence requirements
1.1Bituminous materials are described in terms of source and properties in accordance with Chipsealing in New Zealand and NZTA M1.
Rangeproperties – penetration, viscosity, flash point.
1.2Additives used in bituminous binders are described in terms of properties and effect on the properties of asphalt mixes.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – diluents, antistripping agents, polymer modifiers, fibres.
1.3Aggregates are described in terms of origin and supply.
Rangeaggregates – fine, coarse.
1.4Aggregates are described in terms of source properties and processed properties.
Rangeaggregates – fine, coarse;
properties include but are not limited to – weathering resistance, crushing resistance, polished stone value, particle size distribution, shape, broken faces, sand equivalent, cleanness.
1.5Fillers are described in terms of type and situations when they are required.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – fly ash, lime, silt.
Outcome 2
Describe types and properties of asphalt mixes.
Evidence requirements
2.1Types of dense asphaltic concrete mixes are described in accordance with NZTA M10, and NZTA P18P.
Rangewearing courses – maintenance patching, driveway, footpath, surface levelling, sports surface, road, motorway, airport runway, airport taxiway, container terminal, heavy industrial site;
structural courses – motorway, airport runway, airport taxiway, container terminal, heavy industrial site;
evidence is required of at least four wearing courses and at least two structural courses.
2.2Types of open graded porous asphalt mixes are described in accordance with NZTA P11.
2.3Types of stone mastic asphalt mixes are described in accordance with NZTA M10.
2.4Special binder types are described.
Rangepolymer-modified binder (bitumen or emulsion), cold mix binder.
2.5The mechanical and volumetric properties of asphalt mixes are described in terms of stability, flow, and air voids.
2.6Mechanical and volumetric properties of asphalt mixes are explained in terms of the importance of job mix formula.
2.7Factors that affect the workability of asphalt mixes are described.
Rangefactors – binder type and content; aggregate shape, broken faces, particle size distribution.
2.8Requirements for achieving effective compaction are described.
Rangerequirements include but are not limited to – layer thickness, laying temperature, in situ density, air voids.
Outcome 3
Describe tests and sampling procedures for bitumen, aggregates, and asphalt mixes.
Evidence requirements
3.1Bitumen sampling and testing procedures are described in accordance with contract specifications, NZTA M1, NZTA Q2, and company quality assurance procedures.
3.2Aggregate sampling and testing procedures are described in accordance with contract specifications, NZTA M10, NZTA P11, NZTA Q2, and company quality assurance procedures.
3.3Asphalt sampling and testing procedures are described in accordance with contract specifications, NZTA M10, and company quality assurance procedures.
Planned review date / 31 December 2016Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 October 1994 / 31 December 2013
Review / 2 / 4 October 1995 / 31 December 2013
Review / 3 / 24 March 1998 / 31 December 2013
Revision / 4 / 5 January 1999 / 31 December 2013
Review / 5 / 27 October 2005 / 31 December 2013
Review / 6 / 15 March 2012 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Infrastructure if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018