PENETRATION TEST OF BITUMEN

(AASHTO T-49, ASTM D-5)

OBJECT: TO DETERMINE PENETRATION GRADE OF BITUMEN

Theory and Scope: The consistencies of bituminous materials vary depending upon several factors
such as constituents, temperature, etc. As temperature ranges between 25° and 50°C most of the paving
bitumen grades remain in semi-solid or in plastic states and their viscosity is so high that they do not
flow as liquid. Determination of absolute viscosity of bituminous material is not so simple. Therefore
the consistency of these materials is determined by indirect methods. The consistency of bitumen is
determined by penetration test which is a very simple test. Various types and grades of bituminous
materials are available depending on their origin and refining process. The penetration test determines
the consistency of these materials for the purpose of grading to which a standard needle vertically
penetrates a sample of the material under known conditions of temperature, load, and time are
understood to be 25°C (77°F), 100 g, and 5 second, Penetration units of one tenth of a mm
respectively.The softer the bitumen, the greater will be the penetration.
Bitumen material depending upon the climate condition and type of construction, bitumen of different
penetration grades are used. Penetration test is to grade the bitumen in the terms of its hardness 80 – 100
penetration bitumen denotes that the penetration ranges between 80 – 100 and this is the high grade
bitumen as it is soft. So higher the grade (Penetration) softer the bitumen and lesser grade, harder the
bitumen. In warmer regions lower penetration grades are preferred and they are hard and can face the
intense heat in summer without melting. In colder regions bitumen with higher penetration values are used.
40 – 50 For Hot Areas High Viscosity.
60 – 70 For Normal Areas
85 – 100 For Cool Areas Low Viscosity.

NOTE:
 The softener the bitumen greater will be the penetration.
 The penetration test is used for classify the bitumen into different grades.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:

Upon successful completion of this lab experiment, the student will able to:
 To determine the consistency of bituminous material
 To assess the suitability of bitumen for use under different climatic conditions and various types of
construction.
 To classify the bitumen in to different grades.
EQUIPMENT:

Needle: A straight, highly polished cylindrical hard steel needle with conical end. The needle is
provided with a shank approximately 3.0 mm in diameter in to which it is immovably fixed.

Water Bath: A water bath is maintained at 25oC containing not less than 10 liters of water, the sample
is immersed to depth not less than 100 mm from the top and supported on a perforated shelf not less
than 50 mm from the bottom of the bath.

Sample Container: A metal or glass cylindrical, flat bottom container of essentially the following
dimensions shall be used:
For penetrations below 200: Diameter, mm 55 Internal depth, mm 35
For penetrations between 200 and 350: Diameter, mm 55 Internal depth, mm 70

Transfer Dish: the transfer dish shall have a capacity of at least 350 mL and of sufficient depth of
water to cover the large sample container.

Thermometers: ASTM Number 63C or 63F Range (−8 to + 32°C) (18 to 89°F)

Penetrometer: it is an apparatus which allows the needle assembly of gross weight of 100 g to
penetrate without appreciable friction for the desired duration of time. The dial is accurately calibrated
to give penetration value in units of one tenth of an mm.
PROCEDURE:

1. Soften the bitumen material to a pouring consistency at a temperature of 750C to 1000C above the
respective approximate softening point and stirrer it thoroughly until it is homogeneous and free
from air bubbles and water.

3. The sample material is poured in to the container 55 mm in diameter and 35 mm in height to a

depth at least 15 mm or more than the expected penetration.

4. Protect the sample from dust and allow it to cool in air a temperature Between 15 to 30°C for 1 to
1.5 hours when the container of 35 mm depth is used.

5. Then place them in temperature controlled water bath at a temperature of 250C for a period of one
hour.

6. Place the sample container in the transfer dish with water from the water bath at 25.0 ± 0.1 C and
place it under the needle of the penetrometer.

7. Check the weight of the needle, shaft and additional weights. The total weight of this assembly
should be 100g.

8. By using adjust the needle screw (previously washed clean with benzene, carefully dried, and
loaded with the specified weight) lower the needle assembly as the tip of the needle just touch the
top surface of the sample, the needle assembly is clamped in this position.

9. This may be accomplished by placing the needle point in contact with its image reflected by the
surface of the material from a suitably placed source of light.

10. Unless otherwise specified, load the needle holder with the weight required to make a total moving
weight (that is, the sum of the weights of the needle, carrier and superimposed weights) of 100 ±
0.25 g.

11. Either initial reading of the penetrometre dial is either adjusted zero or the initial reading is taken
before releasing the needle.
NOTE: The needle is released exactly for a period of 5.0 seconds by pressing the knob and the final
reading is taken on the dial.

12. Release the needle and adjust the points, if necessary to measure the distance penetrated.

13. Make at least three determinations at points on the surface of the sample not less than
10 mm apart and not less than 10 mm from the side of the dish.

14. After each test, return the sample and transfer dish to the water bath, and wash the
Needle clean with benzene and dry.

15. Before next testing, transfer the sample container in the water bath so as to maintain a constant
temperature of 250C.

NOTE: The penetration test is not used to estimate the consistency of the softer materials like cutback
or tar, which are usually graded by a viscosity test in an orifice viscometer.

Precautions
If the sample contains extraneous matter, it should be sieved through ASTM Sieve No. 50.
Take the average of at least three determinations.
The three values to be averaged not to differ more than 4. This is the maximum allowable difference
between the highest and the lowest determination.
For a material having a penetration of 100, the needle would be displaced by exactly one (1) cm.

Pouring temperature 0C = More than 60°C above the expected softening point.
Period of cooling in atmosphere, minutes = Cool in air at a temperature between 15 and 30°C for 1
to 1.5 h for the small container and 1.5 to 2 h for the taller.
Room temperature, 0C = 23+1.7 °C (77°F),
Periods of cooling in water bath, minutes = 1 to 1.5 h for the small container and 6h for the taller.
Actual test temperature, 0C = 25°C (77°F),
Weights of needle + Shaft and additional Superimposed = 100 ± 0.25 g.

OBSERVATION SHEET

Sample No.1 Sample No.2

Readings Test Test Test Mean Test Test Test Mean
1 2 3 value 1 2 3 value
Penetration dial Initial
reading Final
Penetration value
Repeatability
Review Questions:

1. Define the penetration of bitumen?

Distance in tenth of a millimeter that a standard needle penetrates vertically into a sample of material
under the fixed condition of temperature, load and time.

2. What is the use of the penetration test of bitumen?

3. Through the penetration test which property of bitumen is assessed?

4. On which factors the consistency of bitumen depends?

05. Which are the different grades of bitumen for bituminous macadam and penetration
macadam road construction?

Fill in the blanks:

1. Through the penetration test, the bitumen is graded in terms of its ……………
2. 80/100 bitumen denotes that the penetration value ranges b/w …….and………
3. The penetration test is not used to estimate the consistency of ………Materials like…….and……..
4. Cutback or tar are usually graded by a viscosity test in an ………………………
5. The …………… the bitumen the greater will be the penetration.