Technical College of Engineering

Highway & Bridges Engineering Dept.

Second Year (2017 – 2018)

ASPHALT Technology

LABORATOR

Penetration of Bituminous Materials

Experiment No. 1

Experiment Date: 11th February 2018

Submission Date: 18th February 2018

Under the supervision of:

1. Mr.Samir
2. Miss.Media
3. Miss.Viyan
4. Mr.Ismail
5. Miss.Suaad

Report by: Group (B)

Omed Idrees Omer
Introduction:
Penetration value is a measure of hardness or consistency of
bituminous material, And prediction the shear failure in asphalt
concrete mixtures.

Objectives:
The penetration test is used to measure consistency of bituminous
materials expressed as the distance in tenths of millimeter that a
standard needle vertically penetrates a sample of the materials
under known conditions of loading, loading time and temperature.

References:
ASTM D5- 2006 and AASHTO T 49-2010: Penteration of
Bituminous Materials
Apparatuses:

Bitumen. Cup(Container).

Water Bath. Oven.

Penetration device. Water bottle.
Procedure:
1. Heat the sample to pouring temperature about 120 C then pour
it immediately into the sample container to minimum depth of 3
cm. and allow to cool to room temperature.

2. Place the sample in water bath at 25 "C for 1-2 hours.

3. Place the sample in transfer dish filled with water from the bath,
and then place the transfer dish containins the sample on the stand
of penetration device assembly.

4. Immediately adjust the needle to just make contact with the

sample surface. Figure (1-1).

5. Bring the dial pointer to zero, and quickly release the needle for
5 sec.

6. Adjust the instrument to measure the penetration distance and

record the dial reading, Figure (1-2)

Figure (1-2)

7. Return the dish and the sample to the water bath and clean the
needle with solvent.

8. Repeat steps 3-7 at least 3times.

Calculations:
Penetration value (1/10 mm) , 25C , 100gm , 5sec

Final penetration value (0.1mm) = Average of the readings

Trial 1

Initial Reading 0

Final Reading 61

Penetration Value 51

Mean Value 56

Penetration Grade 40 – 60

Average=
∑ of Readings
No . of Readings

(61+51)
Average=
2

Average=56

Discussion:
The penetration test is important for knowing the consistency of
materials like bitumen, And prediction the shear failure in asphalt
concrete mixtures, because depending on grade of the bitumen
consistency we know in which temperature coordination we should
use that bitumen. And the temperature, load and time has effect on
the penetration test for materials, and the relation between those
and penetration is like that “if temperature, load or time decreased
the penetration grade will decrease either and also if they increased
the penetration grade will increase ” so the relation between them
is (Progressive relationship) and because of that the test should be
in specific conditions of temperature, load and time. And also
because of the climates effects on the bitumen we use different
grades in different climates like high grade in winter to avoid
thermal cracks and cold climate. And the consistency of
bituminous materials are important for bonding with other
materials because if the consistency was high the penetration will
be easier and also the bonding effect will be less. Like we said the
penetration grade from each climate to other is different and the
climate of (Iraq) is required the grade (40 – 60), less than that
grade could make fractions and also more than that grade could be
pour.