Course Description

Build stronger pavements from the ground up.

AustStab and NTRO’s joint Insitu Stabilisation Construction Guide is a straight-to-site course for anyone delivering or supervising insitu stabilisation – from operators and crews to superintendents, engineers and consultants.

Insitu stabilisation can extend pavement life, reduce material transport and deliver substantial construction efficiencies. But small errors in preparation, binder application, mixing or compaction can create weak spots, cracking, rutting and premature failure.

This self-paced online course turns the established AustStab construction guide into practical, role-relevant training. Informed by current Austroads guidance and industry best practice, it shows you how to get every stage right.

Start with the fundamentals. Understand how site investigations, pavement thickness, Subgrade strength, weather, moisture and plant selection shape the outcome before stabilisation begins. Assess when a granular overlay is appropriate and how its grading, thickness and site constraints affect performance.

Then work through the complete construction sequence. Apply and mix binders evenly, construct durable joints, achieve compliant compaction and trim the surface correctly. Learn how curing protects strength development and why sealing must happen under the right surface and weather conditions.

Practical scenarios, site examples and module quizzes help you recognise problems and make better decisions in the field. Operator guidance focuses on what to do and what to watch for, while engineering guidance connects construction practice with design intent, specifications and compliance.

The course concludes with testing, quality assurance and superintendent oversight. Use consistent terminology and a practical checklist to verify each critical stage, strengthen record-keeping and reduce the risk of defects, rework and disputes.

Enrol now and build the practical capability to deliver stabilisation works safely, consistently and to specification.

Course structure

Fundamentals and preparation – understand stabilisation principles, investigate site conditions and prepare the pavement for treatment.
Working environment – manage weather, temperature, moisture and seasonal constraints.
Granular overlays – assess overlay suitability, grading, thickness and practical limitations.
Binder application and mixing – select, spread and mix binders safely and uniformly.
Joints and compaction – construct strong joints and achieve consistent density across the treated layer.
Trimming and curing – prepare a uniform surface and protect the stabilised material as it gains strength.
Production and sealing – set realistic production expectations and seal the pavement under suitable conditions.
Testing and compliance – confirm performance through field and laboratory testing and quality-assurance processes.
Reference tools and oversight – apply shared terminology and use the superintendent’s checklist to control quality.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the purpose, process and critical success factors of insitu pavement stabilisation.
Assess how pavement condition, Subgrade strength, overlays, weather and moisture affect construction planning.
Select and apply appropriate construction practices for binder spreading, mixing, joints, compaction and trimming.
Manage curing and sealing to protect strength development, surface integrity and long-term pavement performance.
Identify common construction problems and take corrective action before they become pavement failures.
Plan realistic production levels and support safe, efficient coordination of plant, materials, personnel and traffic control.
Apply testing, documentation and superintendent checks to verify compliance and reduce defects, rework and disputes.

Topics Covered

Insitu stabilisation principles
The role of stabilisation in pavement rehabilitation
Stabilisation plant and equipment
Pavement and Subgrade investigations
Trial sections
Stabilisation binders
Cementitious and bituminous treatments
Weather and temperature limitations
Moisture management
Granular overlay selection
Overlay grading and thickness
Binder application rates
Binder spreading and safety
Mixing depth and uniformity
Transverse and longitudinal joints
Joint overlaps and compaction
Compaction equipment
Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Moisture Content
Rolling patterns and density compliance
Trimming and surface tolerances
Curing methods
Shrinkage and moisture-loss control
Production planning
Plant and workflow coordination
Surface preparation for sealing
Primer and seal application
Field and laboratory testing
Quality assurance and lot compliance
Stabilisation terminology
Superintendent responsibilities
Inspection and record-keeping
Superintendent’s site checklist

This course is for:

Stabilisation operators
Construction supervisors
Superintendents
Pavement and civil engineers
Contractors
Consultants
Project managers
Quality-assurance personnel
Technical officers
Road-agency and local-government staff involved in stabilisation and pavement recycling

Course price

190

Course pricing designed to support your learning journey!

Enrol now