Transportation Engineering Lab

List of Experiments:
Testing of Aggregates : Specific gravity
Sieve Analysis
Shape test Flakiness Index
Elongation Index
Angularity Number
Aggregate Crushing value
Impact value
Abrasion value
Stripping value
Soundness
Testing of Bituminous material : Specific gravity
Penetration value
Viscosity value
Softening point
Ductility value
Flash and Fire point.
Testing on Soils : C.B.R. test (IS 2720 – Part-XVI)
N.D.C. Penetration test (IS 2720
Part-XXXII)
Group Index
Specific gravity of Aggregates
Sieve Analysis of Aggregates
Shape test : Flakiness Index

Elongation Index
Objective: The flakiness index (FI) is defined as the percentage by
weight of aggregate particles whose least dimension is less than 0.6
times their mean size.

Apparatus :
 Flakiness gauge
 IS Sieves
 Weighing balance

Procedure :
1. Take aggregates and sieve them through 63 to 6.3 mm IS sieve.
2. Find the weight of aggregate of each size.
3. Try to pass each aggregate though corresponding slot in the flakiness
gauge.
4. Weight all the pieces which passes through the particular slot.
Objective: For determination of elongation index of coarse aggregate,
where the size of the coarse aggregate are larger than 6.3 mm.

Apparatus :
 Length gauge
 IS Sieves & weighing balance

Procedure :
1. Sieve the aggregates through the sieve set and determine the
weight of aggregates of each size separately.
2. Try to pass each piece through corresponding gauge size.
3. Weight all the material retained by length gauge.
 Flakiness index = X 100

Elongation index = X 100

Technical Discussion:
Code F/E value Type of Pavement
(%)
<30 - F Bituminous carpet
IS: 2386 (Part 1) <25 - F Bituminous surface dressing
- 1963 <15 - F WBM base and surface course
<15 - E Wearing Surface
Angularity Number
Aggregate Crushing value
Objective: The aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure
of resistance to crushing under gradually applied crushing load.

Apparatus :
 Steel Cylinder
Cylindrical metal measure & IS Sieves
 Tamping Rod. Balance & Oven
 Compression testing Machine
Procedure:
1. Aggregates passing through 12.5 mm sieves and retained 10 mm
sieves are filled in a cylindrical measure.
2. The test sample is weighed and placed in the test cylinder.
3. The specimen is subjected to a compressive load of 40 tons
gradually applied at the rate of 4 tons per minute.
4. Then crushed aggregates are then sieved through
2.36 mm sieve and weigh the passing material.
 Crushing value =

Technical Discussion:
Code Crushing value (%) Strength property
IS: 2386 (Part <30 Cement Concrete Pavement
4) - 1963 >45 Wearing Surface
Impact value
Objective: The aggregate impact value gives a relative measure of
the resistance of an aggregate to sudden shock or impact, which in
some aggregates differs from its resistance to a slow compressive
load.

Apparatus :
 Balance & IS Sieves
 Impact Testing machine

Procedure:
1. Take some aggregates passing through 12.5 mm sieve and
retained on 10 mm Sieve.
2. Fill the cup of impact machine with aggregates.
3. Allow the hammer to fall free on aggregate and apply 15 such
blows.
4. Sieve the remaining crushed aggregates through 2.36 mm IS sieve
and weigh the passing material.
 Impact value =

Technical Discussion:
Code Impact value (%) Toughness property
<10 Exceptionally Strong
IS: 2386 10 - 20 Strong
(Part 4) -
1963 20 - 30 Satisfactory for road surfacing
>35 Weak for road Surfacing
Abrasion value
Objective: This test determines the percentage wear due to relative
rubbing action between aggregates and steel balls, used as abrasive
charge.
Apparatus :
 Los Angeles machines
 Cylindrical metal measure
 Tamping Rod
 IS Sieves
 Weighing balance & Oven
Procedure :
1. The test sample and the abrasive charge is to be placed in
the machine and rotated at a speed of 20 to 33 rev/min.
2. The machine is to be rotated for 1000 revolutions.
3. The material is discharged from the machine and separation of the
sample is made on 1.70 mm IS sieve.
4. The material coarser than 1.70 mm. IS sieve is washed, dried
accurately weighed to the nearest gram.
 Abrasion value =

Technical Discussion:
Code Abrasion Hardness property
value (%)
Bituminous/Asphaltic concrete surface course
<30 Cement Concrete pavement surface course
Bituminous carpet surface course
Bituminous surface dressing, single or two coats
<35 Bituminous surface dressing using
percolated aggregates Cement
concrete surface course
IS: 2386
(Part 4) WBM Surfacing course
- 1963 Bituminous Macadam binder course
<40 Bituminuous penetration Macadam
Built up spray grout binder course
WBM base course with bituminous surfacing
<50 Bituminous Macadam base course
Built up spray grout base course
Stripping value of aggregates

Soundness of Aggregates
Specific gravity
Penetration value
Objective: Penetration value test on bitumen is a measure of
hardness or consistency of bituminous material. Penetration value is
the vertical distance penetrated by the point of a standard needle into
the bituminous material.

Apparatus :
 Penetrometer
 Stop watch
 Water bath
 Thermometer

Procedure:
1. Fill the sample into container and keep it into the water bath at
25°C for 1 hour
2. Put the container at penetrometer below the needle.
3. Touch the needle to the surface of sample and set the zero reading
of the needle
4. Release the needle for 5 second and note the final reading on dial.
Technical Discussion:
Code Penetration value Grade
30 - 40 A35 & S35
40 - 50 A45 & S45
50 - 60 A55 & S55
IS: 1203 -
60 - 70 A65 & S65
1978
80 - 100 A90 & S90
175 - 225 A200 & S200
80 - 100 80/100
>80 VG10
IS: 73 - >60 VG20
2019 >45 VG30
>35 VG40
Viscosity value
Softening point
Ductility value
Objective: Ductility of bitumen is its property to elongate under
traffic load without getting cracked in road construction works.
Ductility test on bitumen measures the distance in centimeters
to which it elongates before breaking

Apparatus:
 Briquette mould
 Ductility machine
 Knife &Thermometer
Procedure:
1. The bitumen sample is heated and poured in the mould assembly.
2. The excess bitumen is cut and the surface is leveled using a hot
knife. Then the mould with assembly containing sample is kept in
water bath of the ductility machine for about 90 minutes.
3. The sides of the moulds are removed and the machine is operated.
The distance up to the point of breaking of thread is the ductility
value which is reported in cm.
Technical Discussion:
Code Ductility value Grade
IS: 1208 - >50 A35 & S35
1978 >75 All other Grades
>70 VG10
IS: 73 - >50 VG20
2019 >40 VG30
>25 VG40
Flash and Fire point
Objective: Flash and Fire point test is conducted on bitumen to
know the safe mixing and application temperature values of particular
bitumen grade.

Apparatus:
 Pensky-Martens closed tester.
 Thermometer

Procedure:
1. The bitumen is filled in the cup and heated at the rate of 5 oC to
60C/min.
2. The stirring is done at a rate of 60 revolutions/min.
3. The test flame is applied at intervals depending upon the expected
flash and fire points.
Technical Discussion:
Code Temperature Test
IS: 1208 - >175 Flash
1978 >175 + 5 Fire

Ranges of Experiments

Formulae's of Experiments
C.B.R. test (IS 2720 – Part-XVI)
N.D.C. Penetration test (IS 2720 Part-XXXII)
Group Index