EXPERIMENT

PENETRATION TEST

INTRODUCTION
Penetration value is a measure of hardness or consistency of bituminous material. It is the
vertical distance traversed or penetrated by the point of a standard needle in to the bituminous
material under specific conditions of load, time and temperature. This distance is measured in one
tenths of a millimeter. This test is used for evaluating consistency of bitumen. It is not regarded as
suitable for use in connection with the testing of road tar because of the high surface tension
exhibited by these materials.

OBJECTIVE
To measure the penetration value of asphalt, which is melted and cooled and kept at a room
temperature at 25C.

APPARATUS

Penetration needle
Water Bath
Time Device
Penetration container
Penetrometer
Asphalt simple
Thermometers

PROCEDURE

1. Clean the penetartion needle with toluene or other solvent and dry it with a clean cloth.
2. Carefully insert a needle in the penetrometer.
3. Place the sample container (100g) directly on the submerged stand in the penetrometer.
Keep the sample container completely covered with water at th 25+-0.5C temperature.
4. Position the needle by slowly lowering it until its tip just makes contact with the surface
of the sample.
5. Bring the pointer of penetrometer to zero.
6. Release the needle holder for the specified period of time (5sec) and get the 1/10mm
readingIf the container moves, ignore the result.
7. Make at least three determinations at points on the surface of the sample not less than
10mm from the side of the container and not less than 10mm apart.

RESULT

PENETRATION OF BITUMEN
ASTM D5
PENETARTION

READINGS

86

85

82

MEAN (dmm)

84.33

CONCLUSION
Penetration test is commonly adopted test on asphalt to grade the material in terms of its
hardness. An 80 or 100 grade bitumen indicates that its penetration value lies between 80 and 100.
grading of asphalt helps to assess its suitabality in different climatic conditions and types of
contruction. In Malaysia lower penetration grades are preferred to avoid softening whereas higher
penetrartion grade like 180 or 200 are used in order regions to prevent the occurrence of exessive
brittleness. High penetration grade is used in spray application works. Based on the experiment the
average taken is 84.33, so the result is accepted and follow the requirement in JKR standard.

DISCUSSION
i - There should be no movement of the container while needle penetrates into sample.
ii - The sample should be free from any extraneous matter.
iii - The needle should be cleaned with benzene and dried before penetration.
iv - Type of needle to be use is brass.

REFERENCE
1) The contruction Civil Engineering, Penetration Value Bitumen
http://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/penetrarion-value-of-bitumen-2/1627/
2) Paul H.W. Karen K.D. Highway Engineering (Seventh Editor). USA : John Walley