KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM.

LUCKNOW

Experiment No. 6

DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION VALUE OF BITUMEN

1. OBJECTIVE

To determine the consistency of bituminous material

2. PRINCIPLE

Penetration value is a measurement of hardness or consistency of bituminous material. It is the

vertical distance traversed or penetrated by the point of a standard needle in to the bituminous
material under specific conditions of load, time, and temperature. This distance is measured in
one tenth of a millimeter. This test is used for evaluating consistency of bitumen. It is not
regarded as suitable for use in connection with the testing of road tar because of the high surface
tension exhibited by these materials and the fact that they contain relatively large amount of free
carbon.

3. APPARATUS

1. Container A flat bottomed cylindrical metallic dish 55 mm in diameter and 35 mm in

depth is required. If the penetration is of the order of 225 or more deeper dish of 70 mm
diameter and 45 mm depth is required.
2. Needle: A straight, highly polished, cylindrical hard steel rod, as per standard dimensions
3. Water bath: A water bath maintained at 25.0±0.10C containing not less than 10 litres
of water, the sample being immersed to a depth not less than 100 mm from the top and
supported on a perforated shelf not less than 50 mm from the bottom of the bath.
4. Transfer dish or tray: It should provide support to the container and should not rock the
container. It should be of such capacity as to completely immerse the container during the
test.
5. Penetration apparatus: It should be such that it will allow the needle to penetrate without
much friction and is accurately calibrated to give results in one tenth of a milli metre
6. Thermometer: Range 0- 440 C and readable up to 0.20C
7. Time measuring device: With an accuracy ± 0.1 sec

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Fig6. PENETROMETER

4. PROCEDURE

1) Preparation of test specimen: Soften the material to a pouring consistency at a

temperature not more than 600C for tars and 900C for bitumen’s above the approximate
softening point and stir it thoroughly until it is homogeneous and is free from air bubbles
and water. Pour the melt into the container to a depth at least 10 mm in excess of the
expected penetration. Protect the sample from dust and allow it to
cool in an atmosphere at a temperature between 15 to 300C for one hour. Then place it
along with the transfer dish in the water bath at 25 ±0.10C, unless otherwise stated.
2) Fill the transfer dish with water from the water bath to depth sufficient to cover the
container completely, place the sample in it and put it upon the stand of the penetration
apparatus.
3) Clean the needle with benzene, dry it and load with the weight. The total moving load
required is 100 0.25gms, including the weight of the needle, carrier and super-imposed
weights.
4) Adjust the needle to make contact with the surface of the sample. This may be done by
placing the needle point in contact with its image reflected by the surface of the
bituminous material
5) Make the pointer of the dial to read zero or note the initial dial reading.

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

6) Release the needle for exactly five seconds

7) Adjust the penetration machine to measure the distance penetrated.

8) Make at least 3 readings at points on the surface of the sample not less than 10 mm
apart and not less than 10 mm from the side of the dish. After each test return the sample
and transfer dish to the water bath and wash the needle clean with benzene and dry it. In
case of material of penetration greater than 225, three determinations on each of the two
identical test specimens using a separate needle for each determination should be made,
leaving the needle in the sample on completion of each determination to avoid disturbance
of the specimen.
5. CONCLUSION
Penetration value of given sample is =
Record of Observations
Actual Test Temperature =

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Mean

Penetrometer Initial

dial reading Final

Penetration value

Penetration value =

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Experiment No. 7

DETERMINATION OF SOFTENING POINT OF BITUMINOUS

MATERIAL
1. OBJECTIVE
To determine the softening point of bitumen or tar

2. PRINCIPLE
The softening point of bitumen or tar is the temperature at which the substance attains a
o
particular degree of softening. As per IS:334-1982, it is the temperature (in C) at which a
standard ball passes through a sample of bitumen in a mould and falls through a height of 2.5 cm,
when heated under water or glycerin at specified conditions of test. The binder should have
sufficient fluidity before its applications in road uses. The determination of softening point helps
to know the temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be heated for various road use
applications. Softening point is determined by ring and ball apparatus.

3. APPARATUS

1. Steel balls-two numbers each of 9.5 mm dia. and weighing 3.5 0.05g.
2. Brass rings-two numbers each having depth of 6.4 mm. The inside diameter at bottom
and top is 15.9 mm and 17.5 mm respectively.
3. Ball guides to guide the movement of steel balls centrally.
4. Support- that can hold rings in position and also allows for suspension of a thermometer.
The distance between the bottom of the rings and the top surface of the bottom plate of the
support is 25 mm.
5. Thermometer that can read up to 100oC with an accuracy of 0.2o C
6. Bath- A heat resistant glass beaker not less than 85 mm in diameter and 1220 mm in
depth.
7. Stirrer.

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Fig7. ASSEMBLY OF APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF SOFTENIG

POINT (RING & BALL)

4. PROCEDURE

1. Heat the material to a temperature between 75-1000C above its softening point stir until,
it is completely fluid and free from air bubbles and water. If necessary filter it through IS
Sieve 30. Place the rings, previously heated to a temperature approximating to that of the
molten material, on a metal plate which has been coated with a mixture of equal parts of
glycerin and dextrin. After cooling for 30 minutes in air, level the material in the ring by
removing the excess with a warmed, sharp knife.
2. Assemble the apparatus with the rings, thermometer and ball guides in position.
3. Fill the bath with distilled water to a height of 50 mm above the upper surface of the
rings. The starting temperature should be 5oC.
Note: Use glycerin in place of water if the softening point is expected to be above 80 o C
the starting temperature may be kept 35o C.
4. Apply heat to the bath and stir the liquid so that the temperature rises at a uniform rate of
5±0.5oC per minute.
5. As the temperature increases the bituminous material softens and the ball sinks through
the ring, carrying a portion of the material with it.
6. Note down the temperature when any of the steel ball with bituminous coating touches
the bottom plate.

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW
7. Record the temperature when the second ball also touches the bottom plate. The average
of the two readings to the nearest 0.5oC is reported as the softening point.

5. PRECAUTIONS

1 Distilled water should be used as the heating medium.

2 During the conduct of test the apparatus should not be subjected to vibrations.
3 The bulb of the thermometer should be at about the same level as the rings.

6. CONCLUSION

The softening point of given sample is =

Record of Observations

Temperature when the 1 2 Average

ball touches bottom in 0C

Softening point of the bituminous material =

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Experiment No. 8

DETERMINATION OF DUCTILITY OF BITUMEN

1. OBJECTIVE

1. To measure the ductility of a given sample of bitumen.

2. PRINCIPLE

The ductility test gives a measure of adhesive property of bitumen and its ability to stretch. In a
flexible pavement design, it is necessary that binder should form a thin ductile film around the
aggregates so that the physical interlocking of the aggregates is improved. Binder material having
insufficient ductility gets cracked when subjected to repeated traffic loads and it provides
pervious pavement surface. Ductility of a bituminous material is measured by the distance in
centimeters to which it will elongate before braking when two ends of standard briquette
specimen of the material are pulled apart at a specified speed and at a specified temperature.

3. APPARATUS

1. Briquette mould: It is made up of brass. The circular holes are provided in the clips to grip the
fixed and movable ends of the testing machine. The moulds when properly assemble form a
briquette specimen of the following dimensions.

Total length 75.0 ± 0.5 mm

Distance between clips 30.0 ± 0.3 mm

Width at mount of slip 20.0 ± 0.2 mm

Width at minimum cross-section (half way between clips) 10.0 ± 0.1 mm

Thickness throughout 10.0 ± 0.1 mm

2. Water bath. A bath maintained within ±0.1oC of the specified test temperature, containing not
less than 10 litres of water, the specimen being submerged to a depth of not less than 10 cms and
supported on a perforated shelf and less than 5 cms.from the bottom of the bath.

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

3. Testing machine. For pouring the briquette of bituminous material apart, any apparatus may be
used which is so constructed that the specimen will be continuously submerged in
water while the two clips are being pulled apart horizontally at a uniform speed of 50
± 2.5 mm per minute.

Fig 9. DUCTILITY TESTING MACHINE

4. PROCEDURE

1) Melt the bituminous test material completely at a temperature of 750 C to 1000C

Above the approximate softening point until it becomes thoroughly fluid.
2) Strain the fluid. Through IS sieve 30.
3) After stirring the fluid, pour it in the mould assembly and place it on a brass plate.
4) In order to prevent the material under test from sticking, coat the surface of the
plate and interior surfaces of the sides of the mould with mercury or by a mixture of
equal parts of glycerine and dextrin.
5) After about 30-40 minutes, keep the plate assembly along with the sample in a
water bath. Maintain the temperature of the water bath at 27 OC for half an hour.

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

7) Remove the sample and mould assembly from the water bath and trim the
specimen by levelling the surface using a hot knife. Replace the mould assembly in
water bath maintained at 27O C for 80 to 90 minutes.
8) Remove the sides of the mould.
9) Hook the clips carefully on the machine without causing any initial stain.
10) Adjust the pointer to read zero.
11) Start the machine and pull two clips horizontally at a speed of 50 mm per minute.
12) Note the distance at which the bitumen thread of specimen breaks.
13) Record the observations in the Performa and compute the ductility value. Report
the mean of two observation, rounded to nearest whole number as the ‘Ductility Value’

Note: machine may have a provision to fix two or more moulds so as to test these specimens
simultaneously.

5. PRECAUTIONS

1 The plate assembly upon which the mould is placed shall be perfectly flat and level
so that the bottom surface of the mould touches it throughout.
2 In filling the mould, care should be taken not to disarrange the parts and thus
distort the briquette and to see that no air pocket shall be within the molded sample.

6. CONCLUSION

The ductility value of given sample is =

Record of Observations

Bitumen grade =
Briquette No
Reading
1 2 3
Mean
Initial

Final

Ductility in cm

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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Experiment No.9

FLASH & FIRE POINT TEST FOR BITUMINOUS SAMPLE

1. OBJECTIVE

To determine the flash and fire point for the given bituminous sample

2. PRINCIPLE

The flash point of a material is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame
causes the vapours from the material momentarily catch fire in the form of a flash under specified
conditions of test.

The fire point is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame causes the material
to ignite and burn at least for 5s under specified conditions of test.

3. APPARATUS

1) Open Cup Tester is same as standard Pensky-Marten tester with the modification
that cover of the cup is replaced by a clip which encircles the upper rim of the cup and
carries a test flame
2) Thermometer
3) A stove / heating device with provision to adjust the rate of heating

4. PROCEDURE
1) All the parts of the open cup tester and the accessories are cleaned and dried.
2) The cup is filled with the sample of bituminous binder up to the level of the filling
mark.
3) The clip supporting the thermometer and test flame is placed in position on the
cup.
4) The thermometer is inserted and the open cup tester is set on the stove.
5) The test flame is lighted and adjusted to size 4 mm bead and it is fixed in the
vertical axis of the cup, level with the upper edge of the cup.
6) The bitumen sample in the tester is heated and the rate of heating is adjusted such
that the temperature of the test specimen increases at the rate of 5°C to 6°C per minute.
7) A burning match stick is placed at the binder surface from time to time and the
appearance of flash, if any, is observed.
8) When the flash occurs the first time, the temperature at that instance is recorded as
the flash point.
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KCE-651(TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB) DEPTT. OF CIVIL ENGG., BBDITM. LUCKNOW

Fig.10 Fire and Flash Testing machine

5. REPORTING OF RESULTS

The temperature of the binder when flash first appears at any point on the surface of the material
is noted and recorded as the flash point under open cup flash point test.
The heating is continued at the same rate until the binder itself gets ignited and continues to burn
for five seconds. When it occurs, the temperature of the material is noted and is recorded as the
fire point.
6. CONCLUSION

Flash point =

Fire point =

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