Ductility Test of Bitumen

THEORY INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Malik Sarmad Riaz

PREPARED BY:
Engr. Fazal E Ghafoor

COURSE:
CE-3318 TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING II LAB
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

 ASTM D 113

Aim:

1. To measure the ductility of a given sample of bitumen

2. To determine the suitability of bitumen for its use in road construction

Relevant Theory:

The property of bitumen which allows it to undergo deformation or elongation is called ductility of
bitumen. The ductility of bitumen is measured by the distance in cm (centimeter), to which the
bitumen sample will elongate before breaking when it is pulled by standard specimen at specified
speed and temperature.

Ductility is the ability of a material to sustain a large permanent deformation under a tensile load
up to the point of fracture, or the relative ability of a material to be stretched plastically at room
temperature without fracturing.
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

Significance:

Bituminous materials used in pavement construction should possess enough ductility otherwise
the pavement would crack due to temperature or traffic stresses and may render the pavement
pervious and damage the pavement structure.
Roads expand at daytime while they contract at night. So, if the bitumen is not adequately ductile
cracking will occur.
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

Apparatus
• Briquette Mould
(Total length = 75 mm ± 0.5 mm, Distance between the 2 clips
= 30 mm ± 0.3 mm, Thickness of the clip = 10 mm ± 0.1 mm
, Width of the clip = 20 mm ± 0.2 mm)
• Brass Plate
• Water Bath
• Thermometer
• Ductility Apparatus
• Oven
• Straight Edge/Spatula
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

Preparation of Test Specimen:

1. Take the bitumen sample in a cup and heat it to a temperature of 75-100°C- above its

approximate softening point. Allow the bitumen to melt until it is converted completely into
a liquid state.
2. Prepare a mixture of glycerin and dextrin in equal proportions. Mix it well. Then coat the surface of
the brass plate and the interior of the sides of the briquette mould.
This prevents the bitumen from sticking to the mould.
3. Fix the sides, clip over the base plate, and tighten the screw of the clip with the help of
a screwdriver.
4. Prepare all the three briquette moulds in a similar manner.
5. Pour the melted bitumen into the briquette mould until they are full.
6. Allow the mould to cool at room temperature in the air for about 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Place the whole assembly with brass plate and mould in a water bath, which is maintained at 25
°C for about 30 minutes.
8. Cut the excess bitumen on the surface with the help of a hot, straight–edged putty knife or spatula
and level the top surface.
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

Procedure:

1. Place the base plate along with mould containing the specimen again in the water bath at 25
°C for 85-95 minutes.
2. Remove the briquette from the base plate, unscrew the clips, and remove the sides of
the briquette mould.
3. Attach the assembly of bitumen sample with a base plate with the help of rings of the clips to
the pins or hooks in the ductility machine. One clip of the mould is attached to the moving
part while the other clip is attached to the fixed part of the ductility machine.
4. Tighten the screw of the clips of the mould with the help of a screwdriver.
5. Check the pointer of the ductility machine is at zero. (Or note down the initial reading of
the ductility machine).
6. Switch on the ductility machine and adjust the gear so that the movable part moves at the
speed of 50 mm/minute. (The pull rate of the machine is to be maintained 50 mm/min).
7. Thus, the two clips are pulled apart horizontally at uniform speed until the briquette specimen
ruptures.
8. Measure the distance between the clips at the time of rupture of the specimen.
 Ductility Test of Bitumen

Observation and Calculation:

• Take the average of three normal tests as ductility of the sample.

• If normal test is not obtainable, report the test as being unobtainable under the condition of
the test.
• If rupture does not occur due to length limitation of the testing machine, report ductility as the
length limitation in cm+ (for example, 150 cm +).
THANK YOU