SWCPA is launching a new in-person workshop program in 2026, Advancing Concrete Pavement Excellence. This new program includes three independent workshops focused on the most critical aspects of concrete pavement design and construction.

Advancing Concrete Pavement Excellence offers integrated, in-person training focused on elevating every stage of pavement success – from materials and mix design to construction quality and field performance. The series combines three focused sessions on concrete mixtures and materials, design and inspection fundamentals, and paving operations quality improvement. Each workshops can be tailored to either a half or full-day format.

Participants will gain practical knowledge, proven techniques, and a stronger understanding of how design, materials, and construction decisions interact to influence pavement durability and smoothness. Ideal for contractors, engineers, and inspectors, these workshops provide actionable insights that enhance quality, efficiency, and long-term concrete pavement performance.

Session 1
Concrete Pavement Design, Inspection & Quality Assurance: Fundamentals for Successful Outcomes

This in-person training provides a comprehensive exploration of the principles, practices, and field verification processes that drive successful concrete pavement projects. The course is ideal for agency engineers, inspectors, designers, and contractor personnel who want to strengthen their understanding of pavement design fundamentals and the critical quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) steps that ensure durable, smooth, and high-performing pavements.

Participants will take a deep dive into key design concepts – load transfer, slab thickness, joint spacing and layout, drainage, and subbase support – and how each influences pavement life and performance. The session connects design intent to real-world construction practices, emphasizing how inspection and testing decisions in the field directly affect the pavement’s long-term success.

Through case studies and discussion, attendees will learn how to identify and prevent common sources of distress, evaluate concrete and base quality, interpret test data, and apply effective communication and documentation strategies within a QC/QA framework.

The training will highlight the importance of collaboration between design, construction, and testing teams to reduce risk and improve reliability.

By the end of the course, participants will gain a clearer picture of how sound design principles, attentive inspection, and proactive quality management all work together to deliver concrete pavements that meet today’s performance, safety, and sustainability expectations – on time and within budget.

Session 2
Concrete Mixtures and Materials: Building the Foundation for Exceptional Pavement Performance

This in-person training session provides a focused exploration of concrete materials and mixture design fundamentals essential for producing high-quality, durable concrete pavements. The course is designed for contractors, engineers, inspectors, QC/QA companies, and ready-mix producers seeking to strengthen their technical understanding and practical application of mix design principles for successful pavement outcomes.

Participants will dive into the fundamentals of proportioning, aggregate selection and gradation, cementitious materials, water-cement ratio control, and admixture use. The training will emphasize how each ingredient, and the interactions between them, affect workability, finishability, strength gain, and long-term performance. Real-world examples will illustrate how small mix adjustments can significantly influence smoothness, durability, and resistance to cracking and surface defects.

Attendees will also learn how to interpret and apply specification requirements to achieve consistent, field-verified results. Discussion topics include optimizing mixtures for placement conditions, managing variability in materials, and using data from trial batches and QC testing to refine performance.

By connecting material science with field practice, this course lays the knowledge foundation for teams striving to achieve superior pavement quality. Whether developing new mixtures, troubleshooting performance issues, or aligning with agency specifications, participants will gain actionable insights to improve decision-making – from design through construction. The result: smarter mix design; fewer issues in the field; and more reliable, longer-lasting concrete pavements.

Session 3
Concrete Paving Operations Tune-Up: Improving Quality, Smoothness & Performance

This session is designed for paving contractors, project managers, and field supervisors who want to elevate the quality and consistency of their concrete paving operations. Even experienced crews can benefit from a focused “tune-up” to address common factors that affect smoothness, surface durability, and long-term performance.

Through a combination of practical instruction, group discussion, and field-based examples, participants will learn proven techniques to tighten control over key variables –mix consistency, slump management, stringline or 3D setup, paving speed, vibration, finishing, and curing practices. The session will highlight how subtle adjustments in mix design, equipment setup, crew coordination, and timing can prevent defects such as edge slump, surface irregularities, and early-age cracking.

Emphasis will be placed on understanding what drives smoothness measurements, how to diagnose the root causes of poor results, and how to apply simple quality control measures to get better outcomes on the next pour. Participants will also review real project case studies showing how contractors improved their results through smarter process management and communication between batch plant, paver, and testing personnel.

Whether you are preparing for the next paving season or looking to strengthen your team’s operational consistency, this course will deliver actionable insights that translate directly to better pavement, improved performance bonuses, and stronger client satisfaction. Come ready to engage, share experiences, and leave with a sharper eye for what makes a great paving job even better.

For more information or to sign up, contact:  Charles Stuart at cstuart@swcpa.org or Mark Gudenas at Mark.Gudenas@swcpa.org.