PENETRATION

TEST
Introduction

Consistency of bituminous material expressed as the distance in tenth of a millimeter that

a standard needle vertically penetrates a sample of the material under known conditions of
loading, time and temperature. Penetration value is measure of hardness or consistency of
bituminous material. It is the vertical distance traversed or penetrated by the point of standard
needle into the bituminous material under specific condition of loads, time and temperature. The
distance is measured in one tenth millimeter. The test is used for evaluating consistency of
bitumen. It is not regarded as suitable for use in connection with testing of road tar because the
high surface tension exhibited by these materials.

Objectives

The objective of the test are:

1. To determine the physical properties of bituminous material specimen with regard to its
stiffness and consistency.
2. To determine temperature at which a given bitumen reaches a certain degree of softness.
3. To determine the tensile properties of bituminous specimen.
4. To deduce the penetration index (PI) of the specimen
Basic Concept

Theoretical Background

Bitumen is a mixture of organic liquids that is black, highly viscous, sticky product used for
paving roads, waterproofing products (used in sealing roofs). There are many tests which are
conducted to check the quality of bitumen. Bitumen is very important component of many
construction sites like roads, highways. 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 one-tenth of mm) of a
standard needle in a bitumen sample maintained at 25oC 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.

Grading of bitumen helps to assess its suitability in different climatic conditions and types of
construction. For bituminous macadam and penetration macadam, IRC suggests bitumen grades
30/40, 60/70, 80/100. In warmer regions, lower penetration grades are preferred to avoid
softening whereas higher penetration grades like 180/200 are used in colder regions to prevent
the occurrence of excessive brittleness. High penetration grade is used in spray application
works.
Problem Statement

A bituminous material has a viscosity characteristic. This characteristic is very helpful for
bituminous acts as a binder. Moreover, it is also essential for a bituminous to have a hardness
characteristic to resist loads from continuously penetrates wholly through it. In order to
determine the viscosity of a bituminous material, penetration test has to be carried out to
determine its consistency. Penetration between two different grades of bituminous material
sample prepared is the distance in tenth of mm that a standard needle would penetrate vertically,
into a sample of the material under standard conditions of load and time and temperature.
Apparatus and Procedure

a) Apparatus

A standard penetrometer, a standard penetration needle, electric timer, thermometer, semi-solid

bituminous and flat bottomed metal containers of 55mm diameter and 35mm internal depth for
penetration less than 200mm.

Standard Penetrometer Standard penetration needle

Bituminous materials specimens in metal

Electric timer containers
b) Procedure

The procedures of the experiment are as follows:

1. Bitumen sample was soften in a container to a temperature between 75 and 100oC for 15
to 20 minutes.
2. The sample was stirred constantly until it is completely fluid and free from air bubbles.
3. The bitumen was poured into the flat bottom metal sample container (55mm diameter and
35mm deep), filled to 3mm of rim. The name and grade of the bituminous material was
clearly marked on each container.
4. The specimen was cooled for an hour at a temperature 15 to 30oC.
5. The standard penetration needle was cleaned and fixed into the needle holder.
6. The needle was lowered slowly until its tip just makes contact with its image on the
surface of the sample.
7. The penetrometer dial was set to zero reading.
8. The needle holder with 100g was released for 5 seconds.
9. The depth of penetration was read and recorded.
10. The test was repeated for a total 5 readings on the same specimen (R1 to R5, for 2
samples). The needle was cleaned each time.
Analysis And Interpretion Of Data

𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + 𝑃4 + 𝑃5
Average Penetration value (PV𝐴𝑉𝐸 ) = ( )
5

Where P = penetration value at different location

Bitumen Penetration Values (PVs)

Grade 1 2 3 4 5 Average
60/70 71.5 75 71 70 70 71.5
80/100 120 107 117 115 118 115.4

Sample calculation

71.5 + 75 + 71+ 70 + 70
Average penetration = ( )
5

= 71.5 mm
Discussion

The objective of this experiment is to examine the consistency of a sample of bitumen by

determining the distance in tenths of a millimeter that a standard needle vertically penetrates the
bitumen specimen under known condition of loading, time and temperature. This test is used to
measure the consistency of bitumen, so that they can be classified into standard grades. Greater
higher bitumen is preferred for use in cold climate and smaller penetration bitumen is used in hot
climate areas.

Based on the nomograph for bitumen 60/70, the value of penetration index is +0.3
measured by the softening point temperature and the penetration. While the penetration index for
80/100 grade of bitumen is -1.0. The value penetration index of 60/70 grade of bitumen are
higher than the penetration index of 80/100 grade of bitumen. This result shows another
assumption that the grade of bitumen of 60/70 are greater concentration than the 80/100 grade of
bitumen.

As usual, any experiment is prone to errors. For this experiment, the readings of the
penetration are not constant within the two tests. This is because the needle of the penetration
machine is dirty caused of the previous test. To avoid this error, we need to clean the needle first
with oil and clean handkerchief before start the new penetration. The existent of the other sample
on the next penetration can give the inaccurate data. Next, we should tip the needle started at
least 10mm from the container and at least 10mm apart to get the accuracy of the data. The
precautions that need to be taken are they should be careful with the needle because it is very
sharp and thin. Clean the sample of bitumen on the needle gently to avoid any broken. Lastly, the
eyes must be perpendicular to the scale of the penetration to avoid parallel error.
Conclusion

Bituminous sample grade 60/70 gave average penetration value of 71.5 mm while sample
grade 80/100 obtains 115.4 mm in average. This mean, sample grade 60/70 is harder than
another sample as the needles did not penetrate much deeper. On the other hand, Malaysia’s
average weather during day time was 29°C. Therefore, the most suitable bituminous to be used
in Malaysia is bituminous with grade 60/70 as in fact, the harder the bituminous, the higher the
melting point.
References

 Siti Nurbaya Ab Karim, Tey, L.S., Siti Zahara Ishak, Mohd Yusof Abd Rahman, &
Muhammad Akram Adnan. (2010). Highway Engineering Laboratory Manual.
University Publication Centre (UPENA) : Shah Alam.
 Ahmad Kamil Arshard (Assoc. Prof. Dr.). Lecture for Highway and Traffic Engineering
(ECG564), Faculty of Civil Engineering UiTM Shah Alam.
 Asphalt retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphalt
 Penetration Value Of Bitumen. Retrived on 3rd October 2017.
http://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/penetration-value-of-bitumen/1403/
Safety and Health

1. Always wear covered shoes in laboratories to avoid any chemical hazard such as semi-
solid bituminous spilled straight directly contact with feet and reduce the impact of
falling object towards feet.
2. Always wear lab coat during lab session to avoid any direct contact from the hazard
towards body such as hot water.
3. Always makes cleanliness and housekeeping after works to avoid accidents due to
improper housekeeping.
4. Wear a glove when handling the semi-solid bituminous to avoid direct contact with hand
as a step to avoid it sticking.
5. Always refer and report to technician or lecture incharge if any hazard involved because
they are more trainable to handle the situation.
6. Always makes hand in clean and dry condition before handling with electrical equipment
to avoid electric shock.
7. Always read the label or manual for the apparatus or mechanical used before handling the
experiment to avoid misuse of the apparatus and contributed to hazardness during or after
the experiment.
Appendix

Figure 3: Penetrometer with bitumen sample.