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Bit Content

This document describes a procedure for determining the bitumen content in asphalt mixtures using a centrifuge extractor. The procedure involves weighing samples, heating them, soaking in benzene, centrifuging to separate aggregates from bitumen, drying and weighing components. The bitumen content is then calculated as the weight difference between the original sample and extracted aggregates.

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22 views

Bit Content

This document describes a procedure for determining the bitumen content in asphalt mixtures using a centrifuge extractor. The procedure involves weighing samples, heating them, soaking in benzene, centrifuging to separate aggregates from bitumen, drying and weighing components. The bitumen content is then calculated as the weight difference between the original sample and extracted aggregates.

Uploaded by

swornim1234567890
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DETERMINATION OF BITUMEN CONTENT BY CENTRIFUGE

EXTRACTOR
Objective
• To determine the quantity of bitumen in hot paving mixtures and pavement
samples.

Requirements
• Apparatus
o Centrifuge extractor
o Bowl housing
• Material
o Bitumen
o Aggregates
o Benzene solution

Theory
The Centrifuge Extractor is used for the quantitative determination of bitumen in hot-
mixed paving mixtures and pavement samples, essentially as a field test to exercise quality
control and ensure that the specified amount of bitumen has been used.

Figure 1: Centrifuge extractor

1
The bitumen content is calculated by calculating the difference in the weight of the
extracted aggregate, moisture content, and ash from the weight of the sample taken for
the test. The properties of flexible pavement such as durability, compatibility, and
resistance from defects bleeding, raveling, and aging of flexible pavement are majorly
dependent on the percentage of bitumen used with the aggregate to lay the pavement.
So, it is important to determine the bitumen content of the bituminous concrete. [1]

Procedure
1. A 1000 g sample of asphalt mix was weighed.
2. With the fork sample was broken into pieces and was heated to about 115°C.
3. The sample was placed in the bowl and weighed.
4. The sample was covered in the bowl with benzene and allowed to soak for one
hour.
5. The filter ring was weighed and placed around the edge of the bowl and a lid was
clamped on the bowl.
6. The beaker was placed under the outlet.
7. The bowl was placed in a centrifuge and rotated gradually to increase the speed
up to 3600 rpm. It was rotated until the solvent ceased to flow from the outlet.
8. The centrifuge was stopped and 200 ml of benzene was then again added and the
centrifuge was also again rotated.
9. The procedure was repeated until the extract was no longer cloudy and was fairly
light in color.
10. The filter was removed from the bowl and dried.
11. The loose particles were brushed from the filter into the bowl.
12. The filter was dried to constant weight in an oven at 98 to 105 °C.
13. The content of the bowl in a steam bath was dried and then to constant weight in
an oven at 98 °C to 105 °C.
14. The weight of the filter and bowl with dry aggregates was obtained.

Observation

Weight of pre-mix (WA) 83.0 gm

Weight of empty bowl (W1) 1007.6 gm

Weight of empty bowl + clear aggregates (W2) 1087.4 gm

Weight of clear aggregates (WB) = W2 – W1 79.8 gm

2
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝐵
Bitumen content = ∗ 100%
𝑊𝐵

83.0 −79.8
= ∗ 100%
79.8

= 4.01 %

Result
The bitumen content in the given sample of bitumen-aggregate premix was found to be
4.01%.

Discussion
From the above test, the bitumen content in the given sample of aggregate-bitumen
premix as 4.01% shows that the 4.01% is bitumen by weight in the premix and remaining
as aggregates.
Bitumen content is a very important part of road construction as neither more nor less
bitumen content is accepted. More than the required amount of bitumen increases
susceptibility to temperature variations and decreases the road’s rigidity. While less
bitumen content increases problems like less flexibility and cracking of the pavement.
The observed value of bitumen content might not be accurate as the test sample taken
was only 83 grams instead of 1000 grams. Due to the limited amount of sample, the
obtained result may vary from the actual result. The filter paper was not available during
the experiment which might have given a certain amount of error in the weight of the
aggregate due to the removal of finer aggregates in the centrifuge extractor. Elimination
of these errors, might provide the accurate result of the bitumen content in the aggregate-
bitumen sample.

Conclusion
Hence, the bitumen content in the given sample of bitumen-aggregate premix can be
determined experimentally.

Precautions
• Bitumen should be handled with care.
• The cover plate of the centrifuge should be tightly placed on the bowl.
• Adequate amount of benzene solution should be placed in the premix.
• The aggregates should be completely free from bitumen before weighing for the
clear aggregates.

3
References

[1] F. U. Rahman, "Bitumen Extraction test," The Constructor, 16 January 2020. [Online].
Available: https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/bitumen-extraction-test/37294/.

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