1

University Of Benghazi
Faculty of engineering
Civil engineering department

HIGHWAY LAB
CE335

Lab1: Softening point of Bitumen

Date: 10/01/2024

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
2

Introduction:
The temperature at which a bitumen sample softens and becomes moldable is
ascertained by this test.
This test can be used to determine whether bitumen is suitable for a given
application.
Background:
Bituminous materials don't have an obvious melting point, unlike certain substances,
like water, which clearly change from a solid to a liquid at 0 degrees Celsius. Rather,
these materials progressively change from brittle or extremely viscous solids to
softer, less viscous liquids as the temperature rises. The "softening point" must thus
be determined using a consistent and well-defined approach to guarantee result
comparability. Despite its simplicity in terms of idea and equipment, the Ring-and-
Ball Test is nonetheless a useful consistency test in refining processes, especially
when producing air-blown bitumen. It also acts as a proxy for viscosity, or more
accurately, the temperature at which a certain viscosity is visible.

Importance is given to the softening point for materials that are meant to be used.
such roofing materials and joint and crack fillers. These materials won't flow when
in use thanks to a greater softening point. Higher softening point bitumen is less
sensitive to temperature in the case of bitumen with a given penetration (tested at 25
°C). Studies have shown that the Ring-and-Ball softening point temperature for
ordinary paving grade bitumen corresponds to the temperature that would result in
an 800 (80 mm) penetration. This may be used to compute the Penetration Index
together with the penetration at 25 °C.
The following nomograph can be used to calculate the penetration index.

Two flat bitumen disks are carefully heated in a liquid bath as they are formed inside
brass rings with shoulders. A steel ball is supported simultaneously by each disk. By
taking the average of the temperatures at which, both disks sufficiently soften to
allow the encased steel balls to fall 25 mm, the softening point is found.

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
3

The way bituminous material reacts to a particular temperature can be measured

using the Penetration Index Value (PI). The PI index for bitumen used in road
construction usually ranges from -2 o to +2C°.

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
4

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
5

Procedure:
1. Specimens are produced in accordance with ASTM D36-95 accurately, in
carefully sized brass rings, and kept for at least 30 minutes before the test at a
temperature that is at least 10°C below the anticipated softening point.

2. For fifteen minutes, the rings, assembly, and two ball bearings are kept at 5 
1⁰ C in a liquid bath that is filled to a depth of 105  3 mm. [Bitumen with a
softening point of 80°C or less is treated with freshly boiled distilled water;
bitumen with a softness point higher than 80°C is treated with glycerine].

3. Each specimen is fitted with a 9.5 mm steel ball bearing, weighing 3.50 
0.05 g. Heat is then added to the beaker to raise the temperature by 5  0.5⁰
each minute.

4. Each bitumen specimen's temperature at when it contacts the base plate is

noted, with a precision of 0.2°C.

Sample 1: (guys)
Time (t) min Temperature (T)
1 22 c°
2 25 c°
3 29 c°
4 33 c°
5 37 c°
6 40 c°
7 44 c°
8 47 c°

Ring 1: falling 49C°

Ring 2: falling 49C° Both bituminous rings had fall at the same time.

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
6

Sample 2: (girls)
Time (t) min Temperature (T)
0 20 c°
1 20 c°
2 20.5 c°
3 22 c°
4 25.5 c°
5 27.5 c°
6 30 c°
7 32.5 c°
8 34.5 c°
9 37 c°
10 40 c°
11 42 c°
12 45 c°
13 45.5 c°

Ring 1: falling 45.5 C°

Ring 2: falling 46.5 C°
Time difference between two bitumen rings is 1c° which is acceptable.

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268
7

Results:
We have prepared the specimen at the University of Benghazi Laboratory, the lab’s
devices and equipment are very old and overused throughout the years, plus we don’t
have all the equipment and materials needed to make the perfect test with lower
errors.
For example, we have no distilled water at the laboratory, therefore we have used
tap water which can influence the test because the water may have trace of minerals,
bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants, that would affect the boiling point of
the water.
And most of the equipment is dented or have some dirt that is difficult to clean from
the overuse throughout the years.

We can observe from the results of the two samples that there are slight differences,
but noticeable and must be taken under account.
We can see that sample one the two bitumen rings have fallen at the same time and
the second sample have difference of one degree Celsius.
The PI index for bitumen used in road construction usually ranges from -2 o to +2C°.
And the result for both sample appear to show that the bitumen used in the
experiment was unacceptable for road construction because the results were ranging
between -2 to -5.

References:
1. ASTM D36
2. AASHTO T53 -09
3. Mukhtar, A, M “Highway Engineering Laboratory”

Student name: Zakaria Ziad Elhinaid Teacher: Prof. Osama Darbi

Student number: 28268