Performance Graded Asphalt Binder QC/QA Program Manual  

The Performance Graded Asphalt Binder (PGAB) Quality Control (QC)/Quality Assurance (QA) Program is designed to give Producers/Suppliers [henceforth Producer designates Producer/Supplier] more responsibility for controlling the quality of material they produce and to utilize the QC information they provide in the acceptance process by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). It requires Producers to perform QC sampling, testing and record keeping on materials they ship for use by the NCDOT. In addition, the Producer is required to participate in Independent Assurance (IA) sample activities described in Section III (D). Also, it requires the NCDOT to perform QA verification sampling, testing and record keeping confirming the performance of the Producer’s quality control plan. The types of samples and the lot sizes required will be described in detail later in this document.

The word “lot” and “batch” will have the same meaning and are congruous throughout this document. It is the intent of this program that acceptance or rejection of material be based on the total program. Therefore, a comparison of the QC sample, QA verification, and other sample data may be used by the NCDOT for acceptance or rejection of a lot of material.

Participation in this program does not relieve the Producer of the responsibility of complying with all requirements of the NCDOT Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures. See Appendix X for a posting from the Federal Highway Administration.