METHODST4

THE BALL PENETRATION TEST FOR SURFACE

TREATMENT DESIGN
1

SCOPE
This method describes a test tor measuring the penetration resistance of a road
surface using a steel ball with a diameter of 19,0 mm. The result may be use<:1
when designing a surface treatment for a road.

APPARATUS
(See also Figure ST4/1.)

2.'

A circular (127 mm) trIpod stand and cross-bar .

2.2

A steel ball with a diameter of 19,0 mm ,

2.3

A depth gauge graduated in mm,

2.4

A surface thermometer graduated in degrees Celsius {25 to 55 'c),

2.5

A standard Marshall com pacti on hammer complying with TMH 1. Appendl X to

Method C2

METHOD
Subdivide he road into a number of representative sites,
Toss the steel ball onto the road a1 each site in a random manner ,
Place the circular tripod stand over the ball at the paint where It comes to rest
so that the ball is in the centre of lhe circular frame ,
Place the cross-bar in the slots provided on the 'stand so that the forward edge
of the bar is vertically above the centre of the ball.
Take an initial reading by means of a depth gauge from the top of the cross-bar
to the top of the ball and remove the bar without disturbing the tripod stand .
Give the ball one blow with the Marshall hammer and replace the cross-bar In
the same position as before. Take a second reading as above. The depth of
penetration is the difference between the two readings , Repeat the procedure
at least 10 times at each site and report lhe mean depth of penetratton of the
steel bal!.
Take the temperature of the road surface at each si1e for each set of penetration readings.

CALCULAnONS
Correct the penetration reading by means of the following formula:
Pen To := Pen Tl - K(TI - To)
where
Pen To

:::;; penetration depth at suggested road surface temperature (mm)

T,

- penetration depth at measured road surface temperature (mm)

T1

:::::: temperature of road at time of ball test (0C)

Pen

SpecIal methods

Draft TMH6. Pretoria. $Dutil Africa, 1984

15

To

temperature of road suggested for particular location (CC)

:::;

temperatura..susceptibility of penetration (mm'OC).

K-factors recommended:

0.04 mrnj"C
0,05 mm/PC

0.07 rnrn!OC
0,08 mmJ"C

Single and multip!e seals (not fatty)

Slurry seals (not fatty)
.
Cape seals (not fatty)
Fatty roads and premix surfacings.

It should be noted that the re:ationsnlp is valid for all road surfaces and tem peratures (To) lying between 25 and 55 cG.

REFERENCE
MARAIS. C p, Advances in the design ana application of bifummous mateflals
in road construction. PhD (Eng) theSIS. University of Natal. Durban, South Af
rica. 1979

16

Special methods
Draft TMH6, Pretoria. South AfTica. 1984

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FIGURE ST4II: TWO VIEWS OF THE APPARATUS FOR THE BALL PENETRATION
TEST

Special methods
Draft TMH6. Pretoria. South Africa. 1984

17

Special method$

18

Draft TMH6. Pretoria, South Africa, 1984