FACULTY : ENGINEERING

EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO HIGHWAY ENGNEERING TECHNOLOGY

LABORATORY

LABORATORY INSTRUCTION SHEETS

COURSE CODE BNP 20303

EXPERIMENT CODE EXPERIMENT 5

EXPERIMENT TITLE PENETRATION TEST OF BITUMINOUS

DATE

GROUP NO.

(1)
LECTURER/ INSTRUCTOR
(2)

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION

RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP

COMMENTS:

TOTAL MARK (FROM RUBRIC

ASSESSMENT)
1
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

HIGHWAY ENGNEERING TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

LABORATORY RUBRIC ASSESSMENT

Level of Achievement

Very Weak Weak Modest Good Excellent

Elements
1 2 3 4 5 Level Weight Score

No Students
mistakes mistakes while
Display with
ls, but

Display a Most of
Procedures
handling procedures
procedures procedures
are
of

Most data All data

Measure All data Most data taken
minor data All data
taking missing
taken, correctly
with missing
missing

Respond
Able
Limited respond Able Unable
Respond ability to respond respond
answer to respond answer answer to
answer sometimes most of
to not match at all

Show the
discipline
Major Minor flaws Minor flaws Conform Conform to
follows
rules to criteria, criteria, dress code dress
minutes minutes minor flaw
-Dress

Regulations

Total
Mark:

2
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

I hereby declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also admit to not accept or

provide any assistance in preparing this report and anything that is in it is true.

1) Group Leader __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

2) Group Member 1 ___________________________________ (Signature)

Name : ___________________________________
Matrix No : ___________________________________

3) Group Member 2 __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

4) Group Member 3 __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

3
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To examine the consistency of a sample of bitumen by determining the distance in tenths of a

millimetre that a standard needle vertically penetrates the bitumen specimen under known
conditions of loading, time and temperature.

2.0 BACKGROUND

This is the most widely used method of measuring the consistency of a bituminous material at a
giventemperature. It is a means of classification rather than a measure of quality. (The
engineering termconsistency is an empirical measure of the resistance offered by a fluid to
continuous deformation whenit is subjected to shearing stress).

The consistency is a function of the chemical constituents of a bitumen, viz. the relative
proportions ofasphaltenes (high molecular weight, responsible for strength and stiffness),
resins (responsible for adhesion and ductility) and oils (low molecular weight, responsible for
viscosity and fluidity). The type and amount of these constituents are determined by the source
petroleum and the method of processing at the refinery.

Penetration is related to viscosity and empirical relationships have have been developed for
Newtonian materials. If penetration is measured over a range of temperatures, the temperature
susceptibility of the bitumen can be established. The consistency of bitumen may be related to
temperature changes by the expression ;

log P = AT + K . . ....................... (1)

where ;
P = penetration at temperature T
A = temperature susceptibility (or temperature sensitivity)
K = constant

A Penetration Index (PI) has been defined for which the temperature susceptibility would
assume a value of zero for road bitumens, as given by

PI = 20 (1-25 A ) / (1+ 50 A) ..............................(2)

1
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

The value of A (and PI) can be derived from penetration measurements at two temperatures,
T1 and T2, using the equation

A = log (pen at T1) – log (pen at T2) / T1 – T2 .........................................(3)

Research has shown that, for conventional paving grade bitumens, the Ring-and-Ball Softening
Point temperature is the same as that which would give a penetration of 800 d-mm. This,
together with the penetration at 25 º C, can be used to compute A where

A = { log (pen at 25 C ) – log 800 } / 25 – ASTM softening point ..............................(4)

The nomograph as given in Figure 3 enables the PI to be deduced approximately from the
penetration at 25 º C and the softening point temperature. Typical values of PI are

Bitumen Type PI

Blown Bitumen >2

Conventional Paving Bitumen - 2 to + 2

Temperature Susceptible Bitumen <-2

(Tars)

PI values can be used to determine the stiffness (modulus) of a bitumen at any temperature
and loading time. It can also, to a limited extent, be used to identify a particular type of
bituminous material. One drawback of the PI system is that it uses the change in bitumen
properties over a relatively small range of temperatures to characterise bitumen; extrapolations
to extremes of the behaviour can sometimes be misleading.

3.0 SUMMARY OF THE TEST METHOD (ASTM 1988)

The sample is melted and cooled under controlled conditions. The penetration is measured
with a penetrometer by means of which a standard needle is applied to the bitumen specimen
under specific conditions.

2
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

Draw a line between the softening point (line 'A') and penetration (line 'B') values.
The intercept on line 'C' is the PI of the bitumen

3
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

4.0 PROCEDURE

The penetration apparatus (Figure 4) is specified in many standards throughout the world but
has always the same basic requirements as ASTM D5.
1. Specimens are prepared in sample containers exactly as specified (ASTM D5-97) and
placed in a water bath at the prescribed temperature of test for 1 to 1.5 hours before the
test.
2. For normal tests the precisely dimensioned needle, loaded to 100 ± 0.05 g, is brought to
the surface of the specimen at right angles, allowed to penetrate the bitumen for 5 ± 0.1
s, while the temperature of the specimen is maintained at 25 ± 0.1 oC. The penetration
measured in tenths of a millimetre (deci-millimetre, dmm).
3. Make at least three determinations on the specimen. A clean needle is used for each
determination. In making repeat determinations, start each with the tip of th needle at
least 10 mm from the side of the container and at least 10 mm apart.

Figure 4. Apparatus for the bitumen penetration test

4
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

5.0 RESULTS

The results are very sensitive to test conditions and bitumen specimen preparation and the
requirement s of theappooprite standards must be rigidly adhered to the maximum difference
between highest and lowest reading shall be :

Penetration (d-mm) 0-49 50-149 150-249 250-500

Maximum Difference 2 4 12 20

6.0 DISCUSSION

a) Report the source and type of bitumen.

b) Specify the conditions of the penetration as the average to the nearest whole unit.
c) Comment on the difference between the highest and lowest readings and it sub-standard
offer explanation.
d) Compare the average penetration with the manufacturer’s quoted range and if outside this ,
offer an explanation
e) Calculated the PI and comment on the value obtained. (make sure the penetration and
softening values are obtained from the same batch of bitumen.
.
7.0 REFERENCES

1. ASTM (1998). ASTM D5-97 Standard test method for penetration of bituminous materials.
1998 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 04.03, American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia 19103-1187.

2. Whiteoak, D. (1990). Shell Bitumen Handbook. Shell Bitumen UK, London.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT. 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
BITUMINOUS AMENDMENT DATE: AUG. 2016

8.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Table 8.1 : Penetration Test (ASTM D5)

Number of penetration Penetration (mm)

Average

Table 8.2 : The difference of highest and lowest reading of penetration

Highest Penetration Lowest Penetration Difference

(mm) (mm) (mm)

Cheked by : ………………...............................………………. Date : …………………………………..

Prepared by/Disediakan oleh : Approved by/Disahkan oleh :

Signature/Tandatangan : Signature/Tandatangan :
Name/Nama : PN. NOOR KHAZANAH ABD Name/Nama : ASSOC. PROF DR.
RAHMAN SURAYA HANI ADNAN

Date/Tarikh : SEPTEMBER 2016 Date/ Date/Tarikh : SEPTEMBER 2016