THE AASHTO NTPEP GEOSYNTHETICS PROGRAM

1. THE AASHTO NTPEP GEOSYNTHETICS PROGRAM March 29, 2018 Presenters: Katheryn Malusky, John Schuler, Rodrigo Herrera, Scott Hidden, Doug Brown

2. Purpose of Webinar • Thank you to all our attendees and presenters. • Goal of the webinar: • Help all state DOTs make the most use of the NTPEP Geosynthetics (GSX) program in their approvals: • Ensuring quality products • Reducing duplication of QA efforts • Reducing expenses to DOTs AND Industry for duplicate testing.

3. Outline of Presentation • NTPEP Mission and Organization. • How the NTPEP GSX program helps DOTs fulfill their QA requirements. • How the program helps Industry. • Details on product evaluation and audits. • Examples of state use of the program and tips on working NTPEP into your acceptance programs.

4. NTPEP Mission Established within AASHTO in 1994 as a technical service program that reports to the Highways and Streets Council (formerly the Standing Committee on Highways-SCOH) Combines the professional and physical resources of the AASHTO member departments to evaluate materials, products and devices of common interest for use in highway and bridge construction Primary Goal- provide cost-effective & independent evaluations and manufacturing audits for the state Departments of Transportation (DOT)

5. NTPEP Mission • NTPEP does NOT evaluate “New Products” being introduced by industry for the first time (the AASHTO technical service program for this would be APEL) • NTPEP does NOT pass or fail products (ultimately up to the state to develop and determine pass/fail criteria) • NTPEP does NOT replace the Quality Assurance activities of state DOTs or manufacturers • NTPEP does NOT supersede State Requirements for product approval. Any state can require additional testing of the product prior to approval. • If such additional testing is required, the state can appeal to NTPEP for inclusion into the Work Plan.

6. NTPEP Mission Simplify the product evaluation process – consistency and required QA tasks. Make it more cost-effective for both the manufacturer and state end user Reduce duplication of efforts by State DOTs Serve as a “One-Stop Shop” for Manufacturers of engineered products

7. NTPEP Organization • Product-specific technical committees within NTPEP include interested state DOT members and industry representatives • Voting member from each state to guide NTPEP’s mission • The NTPEP audits and evaluations reports serve as tools available free of charge to every state’s transportation agency. • AASHTO/NTPEP does NOT dictate how and what data to use or set as specifications for product approval or qualification. This is a decision and choice within each agency.

8. NTPEP Organization Transportation products & materials manufacturers submit their products to be “evaluated” Evaluation results become available to registered DOT members on DataMine (data.ntpep.org) Industry representatives invited to submit ideas, suggestions for improvement, and general feedback to each program

9. NTPEP Organization http://data.ntpep.org Data Repository for evaluation and audit results Accessible to all individuals with a valid state DOT email

10. NTPEP Organization Products are evaluated according to nationally recognized test methods (e.g. AASHTO, ASTM) specified by the members of that Technical Committee in the Work Plan When standards do not exist, the NTPEP Technical Committee convenes and establishes test protocols through ballot consensus process Testing Service Fees assessed to industry cover actual costs for field and lab testing of products Contributions from AASHTO members and apportionment of industry fees sustain NTPEP

11. NTPEP Organization • Currently 21 Technical Committees • 17 have product evaluation • 8 have product evaluation AND facility audits (Geosynthetics) • AASHTO TSP Annual Contribution from each state: $17,000 • Value of data available to each state: >$2,000,000!!

12. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • DOT QA is governed by 23 CFR 637 – Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction and Tech Advisory T6120.3 • It says QA consists of: • Contractor (Manufacturer) Quality Control (QC) • Agency acceptance • Independent Assurance (IA) • Dispute resolution • Personnel qualification • Laboratory accreditation/qualification. • Verification Sampling and Testing (VST)

13. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • FHWA says QC is “The system used by a contractor party to monitor, assess, and adjust their production or placement processes to ensure that the final product will meet the specified level of quality”. • NTPEP GSX covers this by inclusion of MARVs, now closely defined and audited.

14. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • 23 CFR 637 says IA is “Activities that are an unbiased and independent evaluation of all sampling and testing procedures used in the acceptance program”. • IA is the DOT responsibility, and can be done by a 3rd party. • IA checks equipment and technicians – is not for spec compliance! • NTPEP GSX provides IA on split samples in annual audits.

15. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • 23 CFR 637 says VST is “Sampling and testing performed to validate the quality of the product”. • Is responsibility of the DOT, independent of QC samples, cannot be splits, frequency not specified. • Any field checks, supplier warehouse checks done by DOT.

16. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • Dispute resolution, personnel qualification, and lab accreditation/qualification are all covered by the GSX Work Plan. • Only thing left is Agency Acceptance – DOTs define this in their Specs and Approved Lists. • One FHWA NHI publication says Acceptance is “All factors used by the Agency (i.e., sampling, testing, and inspection) to evaluate the degree of compliance with contract requirements and to determine the corresponding value for a given product”.

17. NTPEP and DOT QA Program • What this section of slides was meant to show is, • The DOT creates and controls its acceptance program, but NTPEP can provide the vast bulk of the needs of that program for geosynthetics, and typically better than a single state could afford/provide on its own.

18. NTPEP and Industry • How is NTPEP beneficial to the Industry? • History of increased participation: • In the late 2000s, several DOTs considered banning or severely restricting some geosynthetic products due to quality concerns. • Industry wanted to avoid 50 different specifications to meet • Worked with NTPEP committee through GMA (Geosynthetic Manufacturers Association) to help draft Work Plan. • GMA represents over 1,500 companies worldwide and promotes consistent and accurate information on geosynthetics.

19. NTPEP and Industry • GMA endorses the NTPEP GSX Program. • Any manufacturer can participate. • Compliant manufacturers know they are on a level playing field. • Avoid duplication of product categories by following M288. • Reduce paperwork with product marking and labeling.

20. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • NTPEP GSX Program has undergone many changes over the years, especially in recent years. Many states are not aware of the vast improvements in the program. • Now includes manufacturer audits and the REGEO program for grids and high-strength fabrics.

21. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • Since 1990s NTPEP performed Product Evaluation of M288 geosynthetic products for those tests required by M288. • On a 3-year cycle. • NTPEP still does this! This is product evaluation. Results are in DataMine. • However, doing only product evaluation was insufficient for DOTs to rely on for QA. • NTPEP now performs annual audits of manufacturers! • NTPEP GSX Committee now also includes Geosynthetics (M288 products) AND REGEO (grids and high-strength fabrics)

22. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • Benefits of audit program: • Verifies, hands-on and eyes-on, processes and records on an annual basis, thus closing many gaps in just a 3-year product check. • Allows all the required elements of a DOT QA program to be satisfied. • Has resulted in greater understanding of and partnership with Industry • E.g., for first time ever MARVs are now being independently verified. This is not possible at a state level.

23. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • The product evaluation allows you to compare test results against your state specs • The audit ensures the manufacturer is following the NTPEP GSX Work Plan (one for GTX and a separate one for REGEO) and gives you confidence the results are accurate and consistent. • The audit also allows for continuous improvement of the program based on findings. • Both elements are necessary for a valid QA program.

24. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • Manufacturer/Private Labeler/Converter categories for GTX (M288 side). • Understanding the nature of the Industry in this regard has been an enormous benefit of the audit program. • The Work Plan now requires product marking and labeling – another enormous stride to ensure quality. • Private labelers may not re-label or re-package. • Converters may do these, but must do some QA testing.

25. NTPEP Product Evaluation and Audit Details • There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work at AASHTO and among the lead states – this is transparent to DOTs • NY is lead state for GTX; reviews hundreds of products annually • FL is lead state for REGEO; each REGEO report is ~100 pages • TRI Labs is testing/auditing company, awarded by qualification/bid from AASHTO • Once test data/audit is complete, the testing and/or auditing firm, the man’f, AASHTO, and the Lead State all review the data and findings for release to DataMine.

26. REGEO - SCOPE • TheREGEO arm of the Technical Committee addresses geosynthetic materials used for reinforcement applications; • Reinforced soil walls (also known as “mechanically stabilized” walls) • Reinforced slopes • Reinforced fills over soft ground

27. REGEO - SCOPE • Two main functions of the REGEO program; • Audits - Yearly • Testing • Qualification • Quality Assurance

28. REGEO - AUDITS • Annual Audits; • Source Manufacturers • Private Label companies • No change to the source product • Converter companies • Change in material properties

29. AUDIT – Manufacturer/Converter • Annual Audit; • Review of participant’s Quality Management System • Documentation (Testing standards, etc) • Production Line • Sampling and testing • Inventory • Quality control • Deficiencies • Surveillance audit • Any other applicable checks

30. AUDIT – Private Label • Annual Audit; • Focus is to establish traceability to an audited source manufacturer that is in compliance with the Work Plan. • Documentation review • Quality control procedures • (Reduced) Sampling and testing • Wide width tensile • Mass/Unit area • UV resistance • Inventory

31. REGEO – LABORATORY TESTING REGEO • Laboratory testing • The current program specifically addresses the reduction factors required to obtain a long-term tensile strength for reinforcement applications

32. Work Plan, Test Standards, Reports

33. BENEFITS - STATES States do not have the resources to audit manufacturing facilities for the products that are submitted for inclusion in local “Approved” or “Qualified” products lists. Single source for laboratory testing A testing program that allows classification of products into “families” on which (occasionally) interpolation of results is allowed

34. BENEFITS - MANUFACTURERS Single source for testing Testing results that are acceptable by all States

35. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM - STATES Requirement for inclusion in Approved or Qualified Products List Adoption in the Specifications

36. FDOT APL

37. DOT Implementation of Program • Essentially, it only requires your spec to require product evaluated through the program from manufacturers/private labelers/converters compliant with the program. • You will be able to implement as complete an Approved List as you would like. • It will require someone to revise the spec and perhaps the Approved List.

38. DOT Implementation of Program • You will need to become familiar with DataMine (now easier than ever). And same AASHTO login. There is a user guide or ask us for help. • You will need to communicate changes to your suppliers in advance and provide them time to adapt. • You may need to maintain minor extra requirements for your state. • You may need to work with local suppliers to ensure last step of quality product delivery. • You should see an increase in quality and supplier satisfaction.

39. DOT Implementation of Program Additional test for silt fence, outside NTPEP • Example from Virginia DOT. • Long-time existing geosynthetics specs.

40. DOT Implementation of Program VST Req’t • Example from Virginia DOT. • Did not need to change spec requirements, only needed to add NTPEP language: Each geosynthetic material provided to the project shall have a manufacture date within its current NTPEP product 3-year evaluation cycle. The manufacturer and any subsequent private labeler facility shall be listed as compliant by NTPEP within the current calendar year, or immediate past calendar year with an application for audit for the current calendar year. The Department may sample and test product from a facility or project at any time to verify compliance with specification requirements. Failure may result in the product being rejected or removed from the Approved List. Property values in these specifications represent minimum average roll values (MARV) in the weakest principal direction unless direction is otherwise specified; permittivity values specified are minimum; AOS and panel vertical strain values are maximum; or mass per unit area, UV degradation, and asphalt retention values are typical. Product acceptance is determined by comparing the manufacturer test data against these specifications and using independent assurance testing, verification sampling and testing, and facility audits.

41. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from Virginia DOT. • Revised Approved List: • First time ever we were able to list individual products AND with expiration dates • Require local vendors to be on VDOT QA suppliers list • Relieved Materials Div of much paperwork/tracking • Transparency for all

42. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from Virginia DOT. • Revised Approved List: • Some explanation up front

43. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from Virginia DOT. • Revised Approved List: Additional test requirements noted.

44. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from NH DOT: • Includes all necessary language in spec for product evaluation AND man’f compliance (audits)

45. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from NH DOT: • QPL again lists product evaluation through NTPEP and expiration date.

46. DOT Implementation of Program • Example from AR DOT: • Formerly, included only language in spec for product evaluation

47. DOT Implementation of Program • Geotextile Fabrics shall comply with the requirements of AASHTO M 288. The • manufacturer/supplier must participate in the National Transportation Product Evaluation • Program (NTPEP). The most recent NTPEP audit report and NTPEP test results for the • geotextile fabric requested for approval must be supplied to the Department with the QPL • submittal. NTPEP geotextile fabric test data more than four years old will not be accepted. • The Department will require the manufacturer product identification code printed every • 16.3 feet (5 meters) on any geotextile fabric supplied to projects. New geotextile fabric • rolls shall have a least one label on the outside and one label on the inner core as required • by the NTPEP Geotextile audit program. • For each submitted geotextile fabric, the manufacturer shall designate the AHTD Type • For which approval is requested. All test reports submitted shall include the manufacturer’s • name, address, and product name of geotextile. The submittal shall include a minimum 2' • x 2' sample of each product, which shall include a printed NTPEP manufacturer product • identification code that is clearly visible. A listing of the NTPEP manufacturer product • identification codes shall be supplied. Product data sheets and application procedures • shall be submitted. • Example from AR DOT: • Updated to include audit requirement, and additional sample submittal just for visual check of code

48. NCDOT Implementation of Program

49. NCDOT Implementation of Program(Geotextile Req’s) • Geotextiles are listed on the NCDOT APL • Prime manufacturers and private labelers shall maintain a current NTPEP audit status of compliant • Products shall meet or exceed NCDOT geotextile material property requirements • Products shall have current data in NTPEP DataMine(with a few exceptions) • Geotextiles are identified in the field by NTPEP marking or labeling • M&T is contacted if geotextiles are not marked or labeled with “NTPEP LISTED”

50. NCDOT Implementation of Program(Geotextile Req’s)