Asphalt Tests

Asphalt have no odor, are more resistant to weathering and less susceptible to
temperature than tar. Asphalt will be dissolved in petroleum oils. A large number of different
laboratory tests are performed on asphalt for the purpose of checking compliance with the
specification that is being used. The Asphalt Tests that carry out in this lab are as below:

1.0 Penetration Test
1.1 Introduction
The penetration test is an empirical test used to measure the consistency of asphalt cement.
Generally, the penetration of a bituminous substance may be defined as distance in hundredths to
which a standard needle penetrates the material under known conditions of time, loading and
temperature.
The various grades of asphalt cement are distinguished by their hardness, as
measured by a field penetration test. For purposes of field identification, the consistency of
asphalt cement maybe approximated at room temperature as hard (penetration 40-85), medium
(penetration 85- 150), and soft (penetration 150-300). These limitations are flexible, as complete
accuracy is not essential. You can make an approximation of the hardness while in the field
by attempting to push a sharpened pencil or nail (in this lab, needle has been used) into the
asphalt at 77F with a firm pressure of approximately 10 pounds. When the pencil point
penetrates with difficulty or breaks, the asphalt cement is hard. When it penetrates slowly with
little difficulty, the asphalt cement is medium. If the pencil penetrates easily, the asphalt cement
is a high penetration or soft grade.









Theory
Penetration Test is used to determine the grade of asphalt cement. In performing the test,
the needle is carefully brought to contact with the surface of the sample, then released so as to
exert a pressure of 100 grams. The seconds after the needle is released, the distance it
penetrated the sample is read, to the nearest 0.01 centimeter, on the penetrometer dial. The
reported penetration is the average of at least three tests on the same material whose values do
not differ more than four points between maximum and minimum. In addition to trade
determination the penetration test is useful for other purposes, such as detecting
overheating or prolonged heating of asphalts in storagetanks.
Also, when the asphalt is extracted from a pavement, the penetration test is useful in
determining how the asphalt has changed with age and weathering.
Penetration = ( R1 +R2 +R3 ) / 3

Where: R is the penetration reading at different locations

1.2 Objective
To measure the penetration value of asphalt which is melted and cooled and kept at a room
temperature of 25
o
C (77 F).

1.3 Apparatus
Penetration Needle
Water bath
Time device
Penetration Container
Penetrometer
Thermometers






1.4 Procedure
1. The asphalt is heated until it is fluid enough to pour. Then asphalt is poured into appropriate
sample container which the container should be large enough such that sample depth is at
least 10 mm greater than maximum needle penetration depth and minimum lateral dimension
of 70 mm.
2. The sample container (100g) is place directly on the submerged stand into the penetrometer.
Then the sample container is keep completely covered with water at temperature of
25
o
0.5
o
C.
3. Needle holder is checked and guided to ensure that needle is cleaned and guided apparatus
was functioning properly. The penetration needle is clean with toluene or other solvent and
dries it with a clean cloth. Then insert the needle carefully in the penetrometer.
4. The needle slowly lowered into the water bath until the tip just makes contact with the
surface of the asphalt sample. Then either note the penetrometer reading or set it to zero.
5. Quickly the needle holder is released and allowed the needle to move under its own weight
for a total of 5 seconds, then locked the position of the needle. Get the reading in units of 0.1
mm. (If the sample container moves during the test, that result should be discarded.)
6. Three penetration measurements at points on the surface is make not less than 10 mm from
the side of the container and not less than 10 mm apart.


1.5 Result

Number of penetration Penetration (mm)
A
B
C
Average

Penetration =
3
C B A


= mm


1.6 Discussion

The penetration of an asphalt substance may be defined as the distance (in hundredths of
a centimeter) to which a standard needle penetrates the material under known conditions of time,
loading and temperature. The standard penetration test procedure involves use of the standard
needle under a load of 100 g for 5 seconds at a temperature of 25 C (or 77 F). This test is
handled for the purpose of testing the consistency of asphaltic material; asphalt exhibits high
surface tension and contain relatively large amount of carbon.
Penetration ranges such as 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70, 70-85, and 85-100 may be used in
specifying the desired grades of asphalt cements prepared from petroleum. The most common
used asphalt in road constructions in Malaysia is the asphalt with penetration within the range of
85-100.
From the result of penetration obtained, we can say that the penetration rate which
equivalent to 69 mm is acceptable since it fall in the penetration range of 60-70. There is a
precaution step that we need to take into account during handling this test. For example, the
asphalt specimen must be tested using standard needle under a load of 100 g for 5 seconds at a
temperature of 25 C (or 77 F). These precaution step must being practice to ensure the asphalt
prepared is suitable for mix design use.


1.7 Conclusion
The standard penetration test procedure involves use of the standard needle under a load of
100 g for 5 seconds at a temperature of 25 C (or 77F). The penetration of asphalt specimen
obtained from the test is 69 mm, and the result is acceptable.










2.0 Softening Point Test
2.1 Introduction
The softening test is defined as the mean of the temperature at which the bitumen disks
often and sag downward a distance of 25 mm under the weight of a steel ball. In other word, it
can be simplified that it is (softening point) the temperature at which bitumen becomes soft
enough to flow. The softening point of asphalt is measured by the "ring-and-ball" test (ASTM
Standard D 2398). The softening point of coal tar pitch is measured by the "cube-in-water" test
(ASTM Standard D 61).
In general, with material of those types, softening does not take place at a definite
temperature. As the temperature rises, those materials gradually and imperceptibly change from
brittle or exceeding slow flowing materials to softer and less viscous liquid. This method is
useful I determining the consistency of bitumen in establish the uniformity of shipments or
sources of supply.

Theory

This test method covers the determination of the softening point of bitumen in the range
from 30 to 157C (86 to 315F) using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water (30
to 80C), USP glycerin (above 80 to 157C), or ethylene glycol (30 to 110C).
Bitumen is warmed until it can no longer support 3.5 grams metal ball - this temperature
is the softening point.

Softening Point = ( R1 + R2 ) / 2
Where : R is temperature reading upon the ball touches the bottom plate








Softening Point Test Set


ASTM D-36 AASHTO T-53
For determining softening point of asphalt and tar using the ring and ball method
BI-211
Shouldered Ring
Assembly
Machined brass, height adjustment 1 Set
BI-212 Standard Ball Steel ball, 9.53 mm diameter. 2 Pieces
BI-213 Flash Support
Mesh wire gauze variable height
adjustment
1 Set
BI-214 Support Assembly
Metal, provided with thermometer
holder
1 Set
GE-
230
Bunsen Burner Heat resources 1 Piece
GE-
237
Asbestos Wire Gauze 15 x 15 cm 1 Piece
GE-
424
Beaker Glass 1000 ml capacity 1 Piece
GE-
646.1
Thermometer ASTM 15 C, 2 to 80oC 1 Piece


2.2 Objective
To determine the temperature at which a phase change occurs in the asphalt cement. It is
measured by ring and ball method in accordance with ASTM D36

2.3 Apparatus
Steel ball, 9.53mm in diameter, weighing between 3.55g
Ring
Ball-centering guide
Ring Holder
Bath
Thermometer
2.4 Procedure
1. The hot asphalt is poured into the ring and cooled it to room temperature for about 30
minutes. Then, the sample is leveled.
2. The ring is placed on the ring shoulder. the temperature in the water bath is maintained at 5
1
o
C for 40 minutes and the sample is kept in the water bath at a level of not less than 102
mm and not more than 108 mm from the bottom of the bath.
3. Place the ball in each ball centering guide by using forceps. Then the heat is applied at a rate
of 5
o
C per minute and make sure it is increased uniformly.
4. Temperature of each ring and ball is recorded by using thermometer when the specimen
surrounding the ball touches the bottom plate.


2.5 Result

Test A B Average
Softening Point (
o
C)


Softening Point =
2
B A


=
o
C


2.6 Discussion

Since the softening point of asphalt material does not take place at any definite
temperature, but involves a gradual change in consistency with increasing temperature, any
procedure that is adopted for determining the softening point must be arbitrary nature. The
procedure in common use in highway materials laboratories is known as the ring-and-ball
method and may be applied to semisolid and solid materials. The ring-and-ball method is also
used to determine the penetration index and in conjunction with penetration and loading time.
The softening point is taken to be the temperature at which asphalt material touches the bottom
of the container.
From the result above, the temperature of the softening point is given as 45.5C. As for
asphalt with penetration of 60-70, the temperature of softening point is in the range of 45 to
52C. Thus, we can conclude that the temperature stated above is within the range; which is
acceptable
As precaution step, it is important to ensure that the water bath floated with ices is heated
gradually until its temperature increased. Asphalt will become softer as the temperature of water
bath rise, and thus, the temperature of when the asphalt become softer is noted.


2.7 Conclusion

Temperature of the softening point of the tested asphalt specimen is given as 45.5C.