TEST - 3

TITLE: SOFTENING POINT TEST

OBJECTIVE:
To find the Softening Point of bitumen by Ring and Ball test.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
This practical is performed by Ring and Ball method. It consists of the following apparatus.
i) Steel balls - 2nos. having 9.5 mm and 2.50.05 g weight.
ii) Brass Rings - there are two rings of the following dimension:
Depth - 6.4 mm
Inside at bottom - 15.9 mm
Inside at top - 17.5 mm
Outside - 20.6 mm
Brass rings are placed with ball guides.
iii) Metallic support-for placing the pair of spring. The upper surface of the ring is adjusted to 50mm
below the surface of water or liquid. The spacing of 25mm is kept between
bottom of the ring and top surface of bottom plate.
iv) Bath and Stirrer- heat resistance glass 85mm dia. & 120mm depth. Bath liquid is water for pt. below
80oC and glycerine for material having softening point greater than 80C.
THEORY:
The Softening Point is the temperature at which the substance attains particular degree of softening under
specified condition of test. For bitumen, Softening point is usually determined by Ring and Ball test. A
brass ring containing the test sample of bitumen is suspended in liquid like water or glycerine at a given
temperature. In Ring and Ball test, the softening point is the temperature at which the bitumen just
touches the bottom plate. Harder grade bitumen possesses higher softening point than softer grade
bitumen.

PROCEDURE:
A mass ring containing the test sample of bitumen was suspended in liquid like water or glycerin at a
given temperature. A steel ball was then placed upon the bitumen and liquid medium was heated at 50C
per minute. The temperature at which the softened bitumen touches the metal plate placed at a specified
distance below the ring was recorded as the softening point of the bitumen.
OBSERVATIONS:
i)Bitumen grade

= 80/100

ii) Approximate softening point

= 85 C ~ 100 oC
iii) Liquid used in the bath
= water
iv) Period of air cooling
= 30 min.
v) Period of cooling in water bath
= 15 min.
The initial temperature is 5C and increased @ 5C / min. up to the softening point is not achieved.
Observation Table:

Temperature( c) at
touches bottom plate

which

Ball no
(i)

Mean
(ii)

40

42

sample
41

RESULTS & CONCLUSION:

Hence the softening point of the given bitumen is found to be 41C. According to ISI this type of bitumen
having softening point 41C lies in 35 to 50 which is the range of A 90& S 90 .So the bitumen grade is
80/100. Which is as given in the table.

TEST-2
TITLE: DUCTILITY TEST
OBJECTIVE:
To find the ductility value of given bitumen.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
i) Briquette mould
ii) Ductility machine
THEORY:

In the flexible pavement construction where bitumen binders are used, it is of significant importance that
the binders form ductile thin films around the aggregates. This serves as a satisfactory binder in improving
the physical interlocking of aggregates. The binder material which doesn't possess sufficient ductility
would crack and thus provide pervious pavement surface. This in turn results in damaging effect. But
sometime this statement may be incorrect. It may hence be mentioned that Bitumen may satisfy the
penetration value but may fails to satisfy the ductility requirements.
The ductility is expressed in as the distance in cm to which a standard briquette of bitumen can be
stretched before the thread breaks. The test is conducted at 27 oC 0.50C and a rate of pull of 50 2.5 mm
per minute.
PROCEDURE:
The ductility machine functions as constant temperature water bath with a pulling device at pre-calibrated
rate. Two clips are thus pulled apart horizontally at a uniform rate of 50 mm per minute.
The bitumen sample was heated and poured in the mould assembly placed on the plate. The samples
along with mould were cooled in air and then in water bath maintained at 27 0C. The excess bitumen in the
mould was cut and the surface leveled with a hot knife. The mould assembly was then arranged in water
bath of the ductility test machine for 85 to 90 minutes. The sides of the mould were removed, the clips
hooked on the machine and the pointer was set to zero. The machine was the turned on such that the
hooks were pulled apart in horizontal direction mechanically.
The distance up to which the bitumen thread breaks was measured in centimeters as ductility
value.

OBSERVATION:
i) Grade of bitumen
= 80/100
ii) Pouring temperature
= 75oc _ 100 oc
iii) Test temperature
= 26.5oc
iv) Periods of cooling
(a) in air = 30 mints to 40 min.
(b) In water bath before trimming= 30 min
(c) In water bath after trimming = 85min-95 min
Observation and calculation table:

Test property
1. Ductility value (cm)
RESULTS & CONCLUSION:

Briquette
(1)
100+

(2)
100+

Hence the ductile value of 80/100 grade bitumen is found above 100 cm. That is the bitumen for grade
A90&S90 according to ISI. The results may be affected by pouring temp. , rate of pulling test temp.
&dimension of briquette.

TEST 1
TITLE: PENETRATION TEST
OBJECTIVE:
To find the grade of bitumen by Penetrometer.
To know the softness & hardness of bitumen at the specified temperature.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

i) Container
ii) Needle
iii) Water - bath
iv) Penetrometer
v) Transfer tray

THEORY:
Penetration test determines the consistency of the bitumen for the purpose of grading them, by measuring
the depth to which a standard needle will penetrate vertically under specified condition of standard load,
duration and temperature. Thus , the penetration test is the measurement of the penetration(in unit of onetenth of mm) of a standard needle in a bitumen sample maintained at 25 oC for a period of one hour during
5 seconds release of the total weight of 100gm.The softer the bitumen, the greater will be the penetration.
The bitumen grade is specified in terms of penetration value. 80-100 or 80/100 grade bitumen means that
the penetration value of the bitumen is in the range 80 to 100 at standard test condition. The penetration
values of various types of bitumen used in pavement are ranged between 20 to 225. 30/40, 60/70 and
80/100 grade bitumen are more commonly used, depending on construction type and climatic condition. In
hot climates, lower penetration grade bitumen like 30/40 bitumen is preferred.
PROCEDURE:
The bitumen was softened to a pouring consistency, stirred thoroughly and the poured into containers to a
depth at least 15mm in excess to the expected penetration. These sample containers were then placed in a
temperature controlled water bath at 250C for an hour. The sample was then taken out and set up in the

Penetrometer apparatus. The needle of Penetrometer was arranged such that it just touches the bitumen
surface in the container. The dial was then set to zero or the reading was taken.
The needle was, then released for 5 seconds and the final reading was taken on the dial gauge. At
least three penetration tests were made on the sample by testing at distances at least 10mm apart. The
depth of penetration is recorded in 1/10 th of millimeter. The mean value of the penetration readings is
calculated which represents the penetration value.
OBSERVATIONS:
i) Pouring temperature
= 75oC_ 100 oC
ii) Period of cooling in atmosphere
= 30 min
iii) Room temperature
= 26.3 oC
iv) Period of cooling in water bath
= 1 hr.
v) Actual test temperature
= 25 oC

OBSERVATION TABLES:
Test 1
Readings
Initial Reading
0
Final Reading
85
Penetration value
85
Mean Penetration value: 88.25
Standard Deviation: 5.4
RESULTS & COMMENTS

Test 2
0
83
83

Test3

Test 4

Mean

0
90
90

0
95
95

0
88.25
88.25

Hence the penetration value of the given bitumen was obtained as 88.25 with standard deviation 5.4. So
the given bitumen lies between 80 to 100. The grade of bitumen is 80/100 or A90 & S90 (according to
Indian standard). This grade of bitumen can be used in regions with normal atmospheric conditions, for
bituminous macadam and penetration macadam as referred by ISA.
It may be noted that the penetration value is largely influence by any inaccuracy as regards;
a) Pouring temperature
b) Size of needle
c) Weight placed on the needle
d) Test temperature

TEST NO - 4
TITLE: VISCOSITY TEST
OBJECTIVE:
To find the viscosity of given grade of Tar.
APPARATUS REQUIREDD:
Ten millimeter Orifice Viscometer is specified
for testing road tar and is called tar viscometer
4.0 mm orifice is used to test cutback grades 0
and 1 and 10 mm orifice to test all other grades.
The apparatus consists of main parts like cup,
valve, water bath, sleeves, stirrer, receiver and
thermometers, etc.

THEORY:

Viscosity is defined as the inverse of fluidity. Viscosity thus defines the fluid property of bituminous
material. Viscosity is the resistance to flow. It defines the consistency of the fluid. Viscosity defines the
property of fluid to spread, penetrate into the voids and also coats the aggregates and hence affects the
strength characteristics of the resulting paving mixes. The degree of fluidity at the application
temperature greatly influences the ability of bituminous material to spread, penetrate into the voids and
also coat the. High or low viscosity during mixing and compaction results in lower stability values. An
optimum value of viscosity is assigned for each aggregate gradation of the mix and bitumen grade. At low
viscosity, the bituminous binder simply lubricates the aggregate particles instead of providing a uniform
for binding action. At higher viscosity, aggregates resist the compaction and the resulting mix is
heterogeneous in character exhibiting low stability values.
One of the methods by which viscosity is measured by determining the time taken by 50 cc of the
material to flow from a cup through specified orifice at a given temperature. This method is called Orifice
viscosity test. Orifice viscosity test gives an indirect measure of viscosity of tars and cutbacks in seconds.
Higher the duration, more viscous is the material.
OBSERVATION:
i) Material: Tar
ii) Grade: 80/100
iii) Specified test temperature: 250c
iv) Size of orifice: 4 mm
v) Actual test temperature: 280c
Time taken to flow 50cc of tar is 85sec
Therefore the viscosity value is 85sec
COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION:
By the help of viscometer, the time taken to flow 50 cc of tar is found to be 85 sec.

TEST 6
TITLE: MARSHAL STABILITY TEST
OBJECTIVE:
To design the required bitumen mix.
To find the optimum bitumen content
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
a) Mould assembly:
Cylindrical moulds of 10 cm dia. and 7.5 cm height are required. It further consists of a base plate and
collar extension. They are designed to be interchangeable with either end of cylindrical mould.
b) Sample extractor:
For extruding the compacted specimen from the mould, an extractor suitably fitted with a jack or
compression machine.
c) Compaction Pedestal and hammer:
It consists of a wooden block capped with M.S. plate to hold the mould assembly in position during
compaction. The compaction hammer consists of a flat circular tamping face 8.8 cm dia. and equipped
with a 4.5 kg weight constructed to provide a free fall of 45.7 cm. And the no. of free fall is 50 blows on
both sides of specimen. Mould holder is provided consisting of spring tension device designed to hold
compaction mould in place on the compaction Pedestal.
d) Breaking Head:
It consists of upper and lower cylindrical segments or test heads having an inside radius of curvature of 5
cm. The lower segment is mounted on a base having two vertical guide rods, which facilitate insertion in
the holes of upper test head.
e) Loading Machine:
The loading machine is provided with a gear system to lift the base in upward direction. On the upper end
of the machine, a pre-calibrated proving ring of 5 ton capacity is fixed. In between the base and the
proving ring, the specimen contained in test head is placed. The loading machine produces a movement at
the rate of 5 cm per min. Machine is capable of reversing its movement downward also. This facilitates
adequate space for placing test head system after one specimen has been tested.
f) Flow meter:
One dial gauge fixed to the guide rods of a testing machine can serve the purpose. Least count of 0.25
mm is adequate. The flow value refers to the total vertical upward movement from the initial position at
zero loads to a value at maximum load. The dial gauge for the flowmeter should be able to measure
accurately the total vertical movement upward.
THEORY:

Bruce Marshal, a bituminous engineer formulated the method for determining the bitumen mixes.
Generally, this stability test is applicable to hot mix design using bitumen and aggregates with maximum
size of 25 mm.
The Marshal stability of the mix is defined as a maximum load carried by a compacted specimen at a
standard test temperature at 60 oc. The flow value is the deformation the Marshal test specimen undergoes
during the loading upto the maximum load, in 0.25 mm units.In this test an attempt is made to obtain
optimum binder content for the type of aggregate mix and traffic intensity. The proposed design steps for
the design of bituminous mix are as follows:
i) Select grading to be used.
ii) Selects aggregates to be employed in the mix.
iii) Determine the proportion of each aggregate required to produce the design grading.
iv) Determine the specific gravity of the aggregate combination and of the asphalt cement.
v) Make up trial specimens with varying asphalt contents.
vi) Determine the specific gravity of each compacted specimens.
vii) Make stability tests on the specimens.
viii) Calculate the percentage of voids, VMA and the percent voids filled with bitumen in
each
specimen.
ix) Select the optimum bitumen content from the data obtained.
x) Check the values of Marshal Stability, Flow, Voids in total mix and Voids filled with Bitumen obtained
the optimum bitumen content, with the design requirements. The design may be repeated if necessary
after altering the gradation so as to fulfill the design requirements.
Specific gravity and compacted Specimen:
The specific gravity values of the different aggregates, filler and bitumen used are determined first. The
theoretical specific gravity Gt of the mix is given byGt = 100/(W1/G1 + W2/G2 + W3/G3 + W4/G4)
where,
W1 = % by weight of coarse aggregate.
W2 = % by weight of fine aggregate.
W3 = % by weight of filller.
W4 = % by weight of bitumen in total mix.
G1, G2 and G3 are apparent specific gravity values of the coarse aggregates, fine
aggregates and filler respectively and G4 is the specific gravity of bitumen.
Density and Void Analysis:
Soon after the compacted bituminous mix specimens have cooled to room temperature, the weight,
average thickness and dia. of specimen are noted. The specimens are also weighed in air and then in
water. The bulk density value Gb of the specimen is calculated from the weight and volume. The
voids analysis aremade as given below:
Vv, (%) = 100(Gt - Gb)/Gt
Vb, (%) = Gb* W4/G4
VMA, (%) = Vv + Vb
VFB, (%) = 100Vb/VMA

where,
Vv = air voids in the mix in %
Vb = vol. of bitumen.
VMA = voids in mineral aggregates in %
VFB = voids filled with bitumen in %
Determination of optimum Bitumen content:
Five graphs are plotted with values of bitumen content against the values of:
i) density, Gb in gm/cm3
ii) Marshall stability in kg or N.
iii) voids in total mix, Vv in %.
iv) flow value, F(0.25 mm units)
v) voids filled with bitumen, VFB(%).
Let the bitumen contents corresponding to maximum density be B 1, corresponding to the maximum
stability be B2 and that corresponding to the specified voids content Vv(4% in the case of dense AC mix)
be B3. Then the optimum bitumen content(OBC) for mix design is given by;
B0 = (B1 + B2 + b3)/3
The value of flow and VFB are found from the graphs, corresponding to bitumen content B 0. All the
designed values of Marshall stability, flow, voids and VFB are checked at the OBC B 0; with the specified
design requirements of the mix.
PROCEDURE:
Coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and filler materials were proportioned and mixed to meet the
specified requirement. From this mix, 1500gm of the sample was taken and heated to the temperature of
1800C. The bitumen was heater to 130 0C. The compaction mould assembly and rammer were cleaned and
heated to temperature 1300C. First the bitumen (5% of aggregate by weight) is added to the heated
aggregate and thoroughly mixed by hand mixing with trowel. The mix is placed in mould and compacted
by rammer with 50 blows on either side. Then it was taken out from the mould and kept in water bath at
600C for half an hour. Similarly specimen of 6% and 7% of bitumen were also prepared.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:
Stability and flow value determination:
i) Type of grading of aggregate= grade-I(given below).
ii) Mixing temperature = 1540C
iii) No of blows on either side = 50
iv) Flow value dial, 1 div. = .025 mm
v) Grade of bitumen = 80/100
vi) Compacting temperature = 1000c
vii) Proving ring calibration factor = given in code by manufacturer.
Density and void determination:
Grade of aggregate:
Sieve opening Passing on Sieve Retaining on Sieve Weight (gm)
Sp. Gravity
25
100

19
12.5
9.5
4.75
0.075

75
60
45
35
0

25
15
15
10
35

300
180
180
120
420

Note: The amount of coarse, fine and sand particle should be so determined that the grade of aggregate
should lie on the recommended grade given.
From graph, we get.
OBC = (6 + 6.1 + 5)/3 = 5.7 %
COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION:
The OBC is found to be 5.7 % by the graph. Hence we can maintained the bitumen content in the road
construction while running the pavement construction by the contractor. So we cannot use other than this
value since the maximum and minimum value other than OBC is not favorable for road construction.
Hence this value should be specified in the specification.

TEST 5

TITLE: SKID RESISTANCE TEST

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the skid resistance test on the road surface
To determine the skid value between road and tyre in different weather condition.
APPATRATUS REQUIRED:

(1)
(2)

British Pendulum taster

Slider

THEORY:
The test consists of using Pendulum type taster with a standard rubber-slider to determine the friction
properties of a test surface. Road surface is cleaned and thoroughly wetted prior to testing. The pendulum
slider is placed and positioned to barely come in contact with that road surface. A drag-pointer indicates
the British pendulum number.
PROCEDURE:
-Road surface was cleaned and was made wet.
-Pendulum machine is leveled.
-The pendulum was adjusted in such a way that it only touches the surface smoothly and a line
drawn.
-From the center of line a mark was marked 38mm on both sides.
-The pendulum was raised and clamped.
-The pendulum was then released.

was

-The reading was taken for maximum swing.

-The temperature of road surface was taken by inserting a thermometer in a nailed hole filled by oil.

OBSERVATION:
S.NO.

B.P.N. VALUE

REMARKS

136

Road surface

139

Road surface

131

Road surface

104

103

105

Road surface with water

Mean B.P.N. value for road surface = 135.33

And 103 for wet surface.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION:

The skid resistance is found to be 135.33 for dry surface and 103 for wet surface.
If the surface is smooth the BPN value is lower. On the other hand if the surface is rough ,the BPN value
is higher. This pendulum test can be done before or after road construction. The observational value of the
skid resistance in the road may be affected due to following factors.
1) Water
2) Temperature
3) Dust present
4) Oil and Grease