Determination of Penetration Value of Bitumen: Objective

DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION VALUE OF
BITUMEN
OBJECTIVE:
(i) To determine the consistency of bituminous material.
(ii) To assess the suitability of bitumen for its use under different climatic condition
and type of construction.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
(i) Container: A flat bottomed cylindrical metallic
dish 55 mm in diameter and 35 mm in depth is
required. If the penetration i of the order of 225 or
more deeper dish of 70 mm dia. and 45 mm
required.
(ii) Needle: A straight, highly polished, cylindrical hard steel rod, as per dimensions
given figure.
(iii) Water bath: A water bath maintained at

25 ±0.1 deg C containing not less than 10 liters of
water, the sample being immersed to a depth not
less than 100 mm from the top and supported on a
perforated shelf not less than 50 mm from the
bottom of the bath.
(iv) Transfer dish or tray: It should provide support to the container and should not
rock the container. It should be of such capacity as to completely immerse into the
container during the test.
(v) Penetration apparatus. It should be such that will allow the needle to penetrate
without much friction and is accurately calibrated to give results in one tenth of a
millimeter.
1
(vi) Thermometer Range: 0-44 °C and readable up to 0.2 ° C.
(vi) Time measuring device: With an accuracy ±0.1 sec

THEORY:
Penetration is a measurement 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 condition of load, time and temperature. This
distance is measured in one tenth of a millimeter. This test is used for evaluating
consistency of bituminous materials. 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 and the fact that they contain relatively large amount of free carbon.
Principle:
It measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in tenths of a

millimeter to which a standard loaded needle will penetrate vertically in 5 seconds.
USES AND
SIGNIFICANCE:
Penetration test is used to measure the consistency of bitumen, so that they can be
classified into standard grades. Greater value of penetration indicates softer
consistency. Generally higher penetration bitumen is preferred for use in cold climate
and smaller penetration bitumen is used in hot climate areas.
 It measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in

tenths of a millimeter to which a standard loaded needle will penetrate
vertically in 5 seconds
 The penetrometer consists of a needle assembly with a total weight of 100g
and a device for releasing and locking in any position
 The bitumen is softened to a pouring consistency, stirred thoroughly and
poured into containers at a depth at least 15 mm in excess of the expected
penetration.
 The test should be conducted at a specified temperature of 25 °C
2
 It may be noted that penetration value is largely influenced by any inaccuracy
with regards to size of the needle, weight placed on the needle and the test
temperature
 A grade of 40/50 bitumen means the penetration value is in the range 40 to 50
at standard test conditions
 In hot climates, a lower penetration grade is preferred.
Test condition
When condition of the test is not specifically mentioned, the temperature, the load
and time are understood to be 25⸰ C, 100 gm and 5 seconds respectively other
condition may be used for the special testing such as the following.
Table 1 TEST CONDITION
Temperature ⸰C Load (gm) Time (Sec)

0 200 60
4 200 60
45 50 5
46.1 50 5
In such cases the specific condition of test shall be reported.
Report
Report to the nearest whole unit the average of three penetrations whose values do
not differ by more than the following
Table 2 LIMIT OF DIFFERENCE TOLERABLE
PENETRATION 0- 50 - 150- 250 -

49 149 249 500
Maximum difference between highest and 2 4 12 20
lowest value of penetration
3
PROCEDURE
(i) The bitumen was softened to a paving consistency between 750 C and 1000C
above the approximate temp at which bitumen softens.
(ii) The sample material was thoroughly stirred to make it homogeneous and free
from air bubbles and water.
(iii) The sample containers were cooled in atmosphere of temperature not lower than
13°C for one hour. Then they were placed in temperature controlled water bath at a
temperature of 25°C for a Period of one hour.
(iv) The weight of needle, shaft and additional weight were checked. The total weight
of this assembly should be 100 g.
(v) Using the adjusting screw, the needle assembly was lowered and the tip of the
needle wass made to just touch the top surface of the sample.
(vi) The needle assembly was clamped in this position. The contact of the tip of the
needle was checked using the mirror placed on the rear of the needle.
(vii) The initial reading of the penetrometer dial was either adjusted to zero or the
initial reading is noted.
(viii) Then the needle was released by pressing a button and a stop watchwas started.
The needle was released exactly for a period of 5.0 secs.
(ix) At least 3 measurements were made on this sample by testing at distance of not
less than 100 mm apart.
OBSERVATION:
Actual test temperature :29 °C
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3
Penetration value
(a) Initial 0 0 0
(b) Final 82 80 80
Penetration mean 80.67

value
RESULT:
Hence from above experiment, the penetration value of given sample of

bituminous material was found to be 82.5
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

The experiment has been successfully performed and the mean penetration value
came out to be 82.5. According to table 2 the value ranging from 50 to 149 should
have difference of maximum 4. In our case the difference is 82-80=2 which is lesser
than 4 so our performed experiment and the penetration value is likely to be correct.
As the lab temperature plays an important role in bringing the deviated value of
penetration test, temperature of our lab at that time was around 30° C and that of
material was 29°C. Actually the test should be carried out at 25° C which was
practically impossible for us at that time for us. So there could some value different
than that actually should have. The needle might have adsorbed some materials. The
moving load should be 100gms ,but it might not be exactly 100 gms which could be
the possible reasons of error during the experiment .
Since the grade of bitumen is 82 range which is low penetration value so suitable
to use in warmer region.
PRECAUTIONS
(i)There should be no movement of the container while needle is penetrating into the
sample.
(ii) The sample should be free from any extraneous matter.
(iii) The needle should be cleaned with benzene and dried before each penetration.
(iv) The no of penetration must be carried out maintaining 1 to 2 cm from wall and
previous test.

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DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION VALUE OF

(iii) Water bath: A water bath maintained at

(vi) Time measuring device: With an accuracy ±0.1 sec

It measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in tenths of a

 It measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in

Table 1 TEST CONDITION

Temperature ⸰C Load (gm) Time (Sec)

In such cases the specific condition of test shall be reported.

Table 2 LIMIT OF DIFFERENCE TOLERABLE

PENETRATION 0- 50 - 150- 250 -

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3

Penetration mean 80.67

Hence from above experiment, the penetration value of given sample of

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

(ii) The sample should be free from any extraneous matter.

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