Ring-and-ball Test

Table 1 Result for Ring-and-Ball Test

Ball A Ball B
Time (min) Temperature (C) Time (min) Temperature (C)
0 5.0 0 5.0
1 10.2 1 10.2
2 15.0 2 15.0
3 20.1 3 20.1
4 23.5 4 23.5
5 26.0 5 26.0
6 27.4 6 27.4
7 30.5 7 30.5
8 34.2 8 34.2
9 37.5 9 37.5
10 40.3 10 40.3
11 44.0 11 44.0
12 47.9 12 47.9
13 52.5 13 52.5

Sample calculation:

Average temperature at 13th minute

[ ( Temperature Ball A )+ ( Temperature Ball B ) ]

=
2

52.5C +52.5 C
=
2

= 52.5 C
According to the result, the softening point of the bitumen sample that reaches the bottom
plate at the 14th minute is 52.2C. Based on ASTM D36, the softening point for this bitumen
sample meets the specification with 49 C to 56 C. This indicates that at this temperature,
the bitumen will begin to melt and flow. In this test, an increase in temperature causes a
decrease in susceptibility, whereas a decrease in softening point means a decrease in
susceptibility. Bitumen with a greater softening point is thus required in countries like
Malaysia. This is due to the fact that Malaysia's climate is often quite hot and humid.

Penetration Test

Table 2 Result for Penetration Test

Average
Reading of penetrations Mean penetration
Bitumen samples penetration
(dmm) (dmm)
(dmm)
64
1 65 64.33
64
65
2 66 66.00 66.33
67
68
3 69 68.67
69
Sample calculation:

Bitumen samples Calculation

Average penetration depth of bitumen sample
[ ( First reading ) + ( Second reading )+ (Third reading ) ]
=
3
1
64+65+ 64
=
3
= 64.33
Average penetration depth of bitumen sample
[ ( First reading ) + ( Second reading )+ (Third reading ) ]
=
3
2
65+66+67
=
3
= 66.00
Average penetration depth of bitumen sample
[ ( First reading ) + ( Second reading )+ (Third reading ) ]
=
3
3
68+69+69
=
3
= 68.67

Mean penetration depth

=
( Avg . penetrationof Sample 1 )+ ( Avg . penetration of Sample 2 ) +( Avg . penetration of Sample 3)
3

64.33+66.00+68.67
=
3

= 66.33 dmm

*sepatutnya dekat bawah monograph, tapi tak boleh buat page baru*

Table 3 Characteristic of bitumen according to Penetration Index Value

 Bitumen type Penetration Index
Blown bitumen >2
Conventional paving bitumen -2 to 2
Temperature susceptible (tars) <-2
The mean value of the three samples tested is 66.33 mm, which fulfils the ASTM D5
standard for penetration values between 60 and 70 mm at 25°C. According to the nomograph,
the penetration index is equal to zero. The penetration index values range from around -3 for
highly sensitive bitumen to approximately +7 for strongly blown bitumen with minimal
temperature susceptibility (high PI). The average range for paving grade bitumen used on
roadways is -1.5 to +1.0. According to some sources, standard asphalts have an IP value of
between +2 and -2. Thus, this bitumen sample has been proven to be great for designing
asphalt pavements, as it is classified as conventional paving bitumen in Table 3. From the
bitumen's overall characteristics, it can be presumed that the bitumen used in this test is 60/70
grade bitumen.