PRANNATH PARNAMI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY,
HISAR
LABORATORY MANUAL
EXPERIMENT NO.: CE- 314 E – 06 ISSUE NO. : 01 ISSUE DATE : 20-02-2012
REV. NO. : 00 REV. DATE : - NIL PAGE: 01/02
DEPTT. : CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: TRANSPORATATION ENGG ( P) SEMESTER :VIth
Experiment No-6
Object: To determine the penetration value of a given sample of bitumen.
Introduction:
The consistency of bituminous material very depending upon several factors such as constituents,
temperature, etc. at temperature ranges between 25 and 50 oC most of the paying bitumen grades remain
in semi-solid or in plastic states and their viscosity is so high that they do not flow as liquid.
Determination of absolute viscosity of bituminous materials is not so simple. Therefore the consistency
of these materials is determined by indirect methods; the consistency of bitumen is determined by
penetration test which is a very simple test.
The penetration test determines the consistency of these materials for the purpose of grading them, by
measuring the depth (in units of one tenth of a millimeter or one hundredth of a centimeter) to which a
standard needle will penetrate vertically under specified conditions of standard load, duration and
temperature. Thus the basic principle of the penetration test is the measurement of the penetration (in
units of one tenth of a mm) of a standard needle in a bitumen sample maintained at 25 oC during the five
seconds, the total weight of the needle assemply being 100g. The softer the pitumen, the greater will be
the penetration.
Apparatus: container, needle, water bath penetrometer; stop watch etc. following are the standard
specifications as per ISI for the above apparatus.
(a) Container: A flat bottomed cylindrical metallic container 55 mm in diameter and 35 mm or 57 mm
in height.
(b) Needle: A straight, highly polished cylindrical hard steel needle with conical end, having the shape
and dimensions as given in Figure 17.2. The needle is provided with a shank approximately 3.0 mm
in diameter into which it is immovably fixed.
(c) Water-bath: A water bath is maintained at 25 ± 1 oC containing not less then 10 litters of water, the
sample is immersed to depth not less than 50 mm from the bottom of the bath.
(d) Penetrometer: it is an apparatus which allows the assembly of gross weight 100 g to penetrate
without appreciable friction for the desired duration of time. The dial is accurately calibrated to give
penetration value in units of one tenth of a mm. electrically operated automatic penetrometer are
also available. Typical sketch of penetrometer is shown in Figure 17.3.
(e) Transfer tray: A small try which can keep the container fully immersed in water during the test.
Procedure:
The bitumen is softened to a pouring consistency between 75 o and 100o above the approximate
temperature at which bitumen softens. The sample material is thoroughly stirred to make it homogenous
and free from air bubbles and water. The sample material is then poured into the container to a depth at
least 15 mm more than the expected penetration. The sample containers are cooled in atmosphere of
temperature not lover than 13oC for one hour. Then they are placed in temperature controlled water bath
at a temperature of 25oC for a period of one hour.
PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
PRANNATH PARNAMI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY,
HISAR
LABORATORY MANUAL
EXPERIMENT NO.: CE- 314 E – 06 ISSUE NO. : 01 ISSUE DATE : 20-02-2012
REV. NO. : 00 REV. DATE : - NIL PAGE: 02/02
DEPTT. : CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: TRANSPORATATION ENGG ( P) SEMESTER :VIth
The sample container is placed in the transfer tray with water from water bath and placed under the
needle of the penetrometer. The weight of needle, shaft and additional weight are checked. The total
weight of this assembly should be 100 g. using the adjusting screw, the needle assembly is lowered and
the tip of the needle is made to just touch the top surface the sample; the needle assemply is clamped in
the position. The contact of the tip needle is checked using the mirror placed on the rear of the needle.
The initial reading of the penetrometer dial is either adjusted to zero or the initial reading is taken before
releasing the needle. The needle is released exactly for a period of 5.0 secs by pressing the knob and the
final reading is taken on the dial. At least three measurements are made on this sample by testing at
distance of not less than 100 mm. After each test the needle is disengaged and cleaned with benzene and
carefully dried. The sample container is also transferred in the water bath before next testing is done so as
to maintain a constant temperature of 25oC. The test is repeated with sample in the other containers.
Result:-
The difference between the initial and final penetration readings is taken as the penetration value. The
mean value of three consistent penetration measurements is reported as the penetration value. It is further
specified by ISI that results of each measurement should not very from the mean value reported above by
more than the following:
Penetration grade Repeatability
0-80 4 percent
80-225 5 percent
Above 225 7 percent
PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
