(Article Updated 8/10/24)
Several years ago, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) changed the way it measures & pays for bituminous prime coat. What used to be a simple computation became complicated (just like everything in construction anymore….). The specification requirements were expanded, increasing the degree of surface prep, cleaning & application parameters than with former specifications. IDOT made the change in response to research that has shown the expanded role that prime/tack coats play in the longevity of HMA overlays.
The 2022 IDOT Standard Specifications for Road & Bridge Construction includes Article 406.05 – Preparing, Prime Coat for Aggregate Bases, and Tack Coat or Full Lane Sealant. In years past, IDOT used to pay for the total quantity of emulsion applied (in either gallons or pounds of emulsion). In the current provisions, IDOT now pays for the residual asphalt (or the actual quantity of bitumen). To derive the quantity, the engineer must determine and subtract ALL water (both dilution water AND water in the emulsion) from the volume of material shipped & applied.
When IDOT first modified the calculation method, I sat down and built a spreadsheet that allowed me to enter all of the material and application area data to develop the payment quantities. As I am updating this article in August, 2024, I’ve had to make some adjustments to the initial spreadsheet:
-Modified the Jobsite Information block to only calculate the “Weight of Residual AC Applied” and deleted the “Weight of Emulsion Applied” row
-Updated the “Specified Application Rate” data to correctly correspond to the current Article 406.05 nomenclature
The hard part of maintaining a website is keeping the content evergreen. As requirements in our industry are always changing, it requires our tools to respectively change. That’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant about posting spreadsheets and calculations as I don’t want to have outdated information posted….
With the current set of updates, I believe that I’ve got the sheet running correctly. But, I’m always looking for input from those who have read this article and developed calculation methods on your own. If you see anything in this worksheet that looks incorrect, please reach back to me in the comments. I want to keep the tools I have sharp.
If you are interested in getting a copy of this worksheet and trying/testing it out for yourself, send me an email link in the COMMENTS below and I’ll try to help you out.
Nice Job
Keep up the good work and thank you.
Looks like a great work sheet. Appreciate that you are willing to share it. BTW, your blogs have been very interesting. Great job!
Thanks Mike! Getting positive feedback like yours is energizing – I really appreciate it!!
Bob, a young engineer from Millennia that works with me asked prime worksheet. Thanks.
Bob, I am a young Resident Engineer and was referred to your blog from a past manager. I have found the material to be extremely well written and a valuable resource to me. I would really appreciate a copy of this worksheet for it would be a great tool for me in the field. Thank you and I look forward to the blogs to come!
Bob,would love a copy of this spreadsheet…..keep up the impressive work
Thanks, Tom! Let me know how it works for you.
–Bob
Rick would like to request a copy this spreadsheet. Much appreciated
Thanks for checking in, Rick. Let me know what you think.
–Bob
Bob– this is Pat Kielty. I jsut finished DOC course last week and saw Tim Hussey there. Can you sent me a link or copy of your spreadsheet.
Hey Bob. I like the look of the layout. I’d like to get a copy of your spreadsheet.
Hi Bob.
Great work! Could I get a copy?
Hey, Bob!
I work in documentation and I would LOVE a copy of your spreadsheet to share with my construction guys and to help me get through this pay item in their reviews.
Hello, Robert. If you could send me a copy of your prime worksheet, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
Hello dear first thanks for nice works and please send it to me
hmassoud8@gmail.com
Hello Bob,
You done a great job on the worksheet. Please send me a copy of your worksheet, this will help me out so much. Thank you
Thanks, Todd. I hope you find the worksheet helpful.
Hello Bob,
You done a good job on creating the worksheet. Please send me a copy of the worksheet. Thank you
Please send me a copy of the spreadsheet. Will save me a lot of time making my own!
Please send a copy of your prime worksheet, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Please send a copy of your prime worksheet, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Can you please send me a copy
Thank you
Please Send to me.
Who wouldn’t be interested? Please send me a copy 🙂
Bob, Can you please forward me a copy of this spreadsheet. Thanks.
Hello,
Could I get a copy of the Excel sheet?
This would be very helpful.
Thanks
This worksheet looks very helpful. Could you please send me a excel copy. Thanks
Will do, Kent – Thanks for stopping by the site!
Hey Bob, could you send me the spreadsheet? BTW great blog. Its been a great resource for me.
Hey Bob, just stumbled upon your blog, and must say you provide a lot of gems.
Hope it’s not too late to get a copy of your tack coat spreadsheet. Thank you for sharing.
This would be a great help
Thank you for doing this. Could you email me a link to the spreadsheet when time allows?
Could you please email me the link to calculate the tack coat. This will help me final my IDOT project. This is really helpful and thank you for sharing this to us.
Would really appreciate a copy of the worksheet! Your website is awesome, so much great information! Thank you!!
Thanks for the kind words, Lisa!
Can you please send worksheet
Hi,
I liked your spreadsheet. I was wondering if you could send a copy(The post age). Also, I love your website.
Can you please send be a copy of your spreadsheet.
I could benefit from you spreadsheet as a new technician. Thank you sir!
Thanks for reaching out, Mitch. Check your email.
New to IDOT work, and a copy of your spreadsheet would be very helpful. Thanks for all the great content you post!
Thanks for reaching out, Garrett. Check your email-Cheers!!
Bob,
I would love a copy of your spreadsheet!
Thanks – John
I’ve only ever seen tack and prime coats paid per unit area applied (I.e. surface area of new asphalt). I’m curious to know why IDOT uses this measure for payment? Is there a QC check built into this method? Thanks!
Bob, Love to get a copy of the spreadsheet!
Thanks -Frankie Rizzo
You got it, Frankie! Check your email