INTRODUCTION

The lab objective designed to determine the softening point of bitumen using Rind-and-Ball
apparatus.

In these laboratory activities, Ring-and-Ball Test has remained a valuable consistency test for
control in refining operations, particularly in the production of air-blown bitumen. It is also an
indirect measure of viscosity or, rather, the temperature at which a given viscosity is evident. The
softening point value has particular significance for materials, which are to be used as thick films,
such as joint and crack fillers and roofing materials. The material to be used to design a new asphalt
road shall conform to the requirement in the standard given by the Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR). Your
team is required to take few samples of bitumen to the laboratory and to determine the softening
point of the samples using Ring-and-Ball apparatus.

BASIC CONCEPT
The choice of a particular type of bitumen depends on its physical properties, climatic condition
and applications. For example, in hot areas, ’’harder’’ bitumen is used for roads to avoid rutting.
Bitumen grading systems based on consistency test were introduced to suit the different climatic
conditions and applications. Consistency describes the degree of fluidity of asphalt cement at any
particular temperature and comparisons of different types of asphalt can be made by measuring
their consistency at the same temperature and shear loading conditions. Consistency test include
penetration test, ring and ball test and ductility test.

The softening point is defined as the mean of the temperature at which the bituminous material is
softened and sagged downward at a distance of 25 mm under the weight of steel ball. In general,
with material of this type, softening does not take place at the definite temperature. As the
temperature rises, the bituminous material gradually and imperceptibly changes from brittle or
exceedingly slow flowing material to softer and less viscous. For this reason, the determination of
the softening point must be made by fixed, arbitrary and closely defined method if the results are
to be comparable (MS 687:1995)

Bitumen is one of material used in the road pavement (flexible pavement). The type and quality of
bitumen is very important to build a reliable road pavement. The Choice of particular bitumen
depend on climate condition for the propose location of the road. Bitumen that is too soft will be
melt when subjected to the hot environment. Whereas bitumen that is too hard will cause road
surface crack under certain low temperature.
SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES/METHOD
Apparatus
1) Beaker
2) Thermometer
3) Ring
4) Hanger
5) Steel ball

Procedures
1) The sample was heated to a temperature between 75 and 100°C above the approximate
softening point until it was completely fluid.
2) The sample was placed in the brass ring and was suspended in the water at a given
temperature.
3) A steel ball was placed on the sample and the water was heated such that the water
temperature increased by 5°C per minute.
4) The temperature reading was took when the softened sample touched the metal plate. The
noted temperature is the softening point of bitumen.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPETATION OF DATA

Table 1: The result of Softening Point Test

Temperature (°C)
Time
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
(min)
Ring A Ring B Ring A Ring B Ring A Ring B
0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
1 9.0 9.0 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5
2 13.0 13.0 10.5 10.5 13.5 13.5
3 17.0 17.0 13.5 13.5 19.0 19.0
4 20.0 20.0 17.5 17.5 24.5 24.5
5 24.5 24.5 25.5 25.5 30.0 30.0
6 29.0 29.0 30.0 30.0 35.0 35.0
7 33.0 33.0 34.5 34.5 39.5 39.5
8 37.0 37.0 38.5 38.5 45.5 45.5
9 41.0 41.0 43.0 43.0 49.0 49.0
10 52.0 52.5 47.5 47.5 53.0 52.5
11 52.0 51.5
52.3 51.8 52.8
Average
52.3
DISCUSSION OF RESULT
Bitumen are viscoelastic materials without defined melting points and they gradually become
softer and less viscous as temperature rises. Thus, softening point must be determined to be used
in classification in establishing uniformity of shipments or sources of supply. The bath liquid used
in this experiment is tap water. The lower the softening points the lower the temperature in which
the bitumen can be used in. Therefore, countries like Malaysia need bitumen with higher softening
points as the weather is very hot and humid. Bitumen with lower softening point will have
problems during transporting and service.

According to our group results, the average softening point of this bitumen we obtained for sample
1, sample 2 and sample 3 is 52.3°C. This indicates the bitumen will start to melt and flow at this
particular temperature. The results show that the temperature is not ideal based on the theoretical
standard. The theoretical value of the optimum temperature of bitumen softening point is 48℃ to
52℃ according to Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) standard. The higher softening point ensures that
they will not flow during service. When higher the softening point, lesser the temperature
susceptibility. Its means that, when the temperature was exceed to 50.0°C, the bitumen is not
suitable use to pavement design.

There is parallax error occurred while conducting this test which is Students might overlook the
temperature of the thermometer during the experiment. During the 15 minutes of maintaining the
temperature below 5°C, we might not look properly at the thermometer. The position of the eye
should be perpendicular to the apparatus. The modifications in this test are no vibrations should
be added to the table during conducting of the experiment and the temperature should be ensured
that the increase of temperature must be within 5°C per minute. The apparatus should be adjusted
if the temperature rises too quickly or slowly.

CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the objective of this experiment which is to determine the softening point of
bitumen using Ring-and-Ball apparatus has been achieved. We being able to determine the
quality of bitumen used in flexible pavement.

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
Figure 1: The apparatus needed for softening Figure 2: The sample was heated to a point
test. temperature between 75 and 100°C.

Figure 3: The temperature was recorded when second ball touches the bottom plate.