EXPERIMENT NO.

TESTS ON BITUMEN
PENETRATION TEST (CONSISTENCY TEST)
DESIGNATION:
AASHTO: T 49-97

SCOPE:
This test method covers the determination of Penetration Grade of bitumen.

INTRODUCTION:

Overview:
Bituminous materials or asphalts are extensively used for roadway construction,
primarily because of their excellent binding characteristics and water proofing properties and
relatively low cost. Bituminous materials consists of bitumen which is a black or dark colored
solid or viscous cementations substances consists chiefly high molecular weight hydrocarbons
derived from distillation of petroleum or natural asphalt, has adhesive properties, and is soluble
in carbon disulphide.

Requirements of Bitumen:

 The bitumen should not be highly temperature susceptible: during the hottest weather
the mix should not become too soft or unstable, and during cold weather the mix should
not become too brittle causing cracks.
 The viscosity of the bitumen at the time of mixing and compaction should be adequate.
This can be achieved by use of emulsions of suitable grades or by heating the bitumen
and aggregates prior to mixing.
 There should be adequate affinity and adhesion between the bitumen and aggregates
used in the mix.

Tests on bitumen

There are a number of tests to assess the properties of bituminous materials. The following tests
are usually conducted to evaluate different properties of bituminous materials.

1. Penetration test
2. Ductility test
3. Softening point test
4. Specific gravity test
 5. Viscosity test
6. Flash and Fire point test
7. Float test
8. Water content test
9. Loss on heating test

Penetration value test on bitumen is a measure of hardness or consistency of bituminous

material. 80/100 grade bitumen indicates that its penetration value lies between 80 & 100.

Penetration value is the vertical distance traversed or penetrated by the point of a standard needle
into the bituminous material under specific conditions of load, time and temperature. This
distance is measured in one tenths of a millimeter.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TESTS:
 Determination of Penetration Grade (Hardness) of bitumen.
 Selection of bitumen grade according to climatic conditions.
 High penetration value → Softer Consistency
 Preferred for colder climate & vice versa.
 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.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Penetration Value < 30 → Bad Cracking

• Penetration Value > 30 → cracking rarely occurs

APPARATUS:
 1. Penetrometer
 2. Penetration Needle Length = 50mm

Diameter = 1.0 → 1.02 mm

Angle of tapering = 8.7 → 9.7 degree
 3. Sample Container

 4. Water Bath Lab Digital Penetrometer

 5. Timing Device

Penetrometer
PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN:
• Heat the specimen (not more than 30 minutes)

• Pour in sample container and cool at room temperature (15 ºC to 30 ºC) for 1 to 1.5 hour.

• Place in water bath at 25 ºC for 30 minutes.

STANDARD TEST CONDITIONS:

 Temperature → 25 ºC
 Load → 100 grams
 Time → 5 seconds

PROCEDURE:
1. Place the sample container under the needle.

2. Lower the needle until it just makes contact with the sample surface.

3. Bring the pointer to zero and release the needle for specified time, under standard test
conditions.

4. Note the readings which will be in 1/10th of mm.

5. Take three readings at different points on sample. All these Points should be 10mm apart and
also 10mm from the sides of the container.

6. The sample is then placed in the water bath for an hour at around 25 degree centigrade
temperature.

7. Take the average of 3 penetrations up to nearest whole number.

SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS:

 There should be no movement of the container while needle penetrates in to the sample.
 The sample should be free from any extraneous matter.
 The needle should be cleaned with benzene and dried before penetration.
RESULTS:
Sr. No Penetration (mm)
1.
Sample #
2.
3.
Avg.

Grade of Bitumen = ………………..

COMMENTS: