Within the framework of its annual program of academic activities, the BITAFAL – UM Sustainable Asphalt Chair organized the workshop “Pavement Rehabilitation Design for Maintenance Contracts”. It was aimed at learning first-hand about the state of the Uruguayan road network and the maintenance needs it presents.

The presentation was given by MTOP technicians Adrián Moreira and Pablo Hermida, who provided very valuable information about the reality of our roads, the criteria for evaluating their condition, structural parameters of the surfaces, functional parameters and wear according to the volume of traffic they receive. The specialists explained in depth the methodology for surveying and auscultating the pavements, using special equipment acquired for that purpose.

In that sense, they distinguished between the state of conservation of the Uruguayan road network, which in general terms is very good. Likewise, they highlighted that the MTOP is implementing a road asset management system called Ícaro, where all the information generated in the surveys carried out is processed.

Subsequently, MTOP representatives presented the design and rehabilitation methodologies determined by the portfolio for road maintenance contracts, especially those called AASHTO 93 and EVO, an empirical mechanistic analysis system. In this sense, the experts carried out a detailed analysis of the evaluation criteria used in the last 25 years and the trends that will be applied in future contracts.

The activity was presented by the director of the CAS, Eng. David Fontans, and was attended by more than 40 students from the FIUM and the FING, technicians from the MTOP, representatives of the Municipalities of Canelones and Montevideo, as well as technicians from abroad who participated in person and virtually in the day of high technical content. The BITAFAL team was led by our General Director Santiago Kröger, the commercial manager Victoria García and the technical/commercial advisor Ezequiel González, completing a day of high academic level on one of the most important aspects of road construction.