QUALITY TESTS ON BITUMEN

AND MODIIED BITUMEN SAMPLE

By
Dr. T. L. Ryntathiang
IIT Guwahati
What is Bitumen?

Bitumens are prepared by the refining of crude
petroleum by suitable methods using
appropriate crude or by blending different
crudes or different short residue to achieve
desired properties of paving grade bitumen
conforming to specifications.

IS-334: 2002
TERMS RELATINGTO BITUMEN AND TAR

SPECIFICATION: IS:73-2006
GRADE:

Bitumens shall be classified into four
types based on viscosity as given
below:
A) VG-I0
B) VG-20
C) VG-30
D) VG-40
Why Viscosity Grade?

The variability in performance at high temperature can
be addressed by adopting a Viscosity Grade bitumen
rather than by Penetration Grade.
Pushing and Shoving of tender mixes under roller
posses problems during compaction which have
encountered in the past (IS 73-2006). Since the
viscosity-grade bitumen specification has a requirement
of minimum viscosity at 135C, it will be helpful in
minimizing the tender mix problems in the field
REQUIREMENTS
The paving bitumen binder shall be
homogeneous and shall not foam when
heated to 175C.
The various grades of bitumen shall
conform to the requirements prescribed
in the following Table
Viscosity: The property of a liquid by which it resists
flow due to internal friction and is measured by the
ratio of the shearing stress to the rate of shear and is
called the coeftlcient of viscosity.

Absolute or Dynamic Viscosity of a Newtonian
Liquid: It is the tangential force required to maintain a
velocity between the two layers unit distance apart.
The CGS unit for viscosity is poise.
Viscosity, Kinematic
The ratio of the absolute viscosity to the
density of the liquid.
It is a measure of the resistance to flow of a
liquid under gravity.
The SI unit of kinematic viscosity: Centistoke
(1 mm2/s)
Brookfield's most popular instrument is the DV-
II+Pro
It has bi-directional communication between a
dedicated computer and the instrument
It offers simplicity of operation for single point
viscosity measurement and can also run
automated tests for multiple point data collection
without the involvement of the operator or
computer
Features & Benefits:
It is the most versatile viscometer with
continuous sensing and display
Built-in RTD temperature probe for sample
monitoring
54 selectable speeds provide superior range of
viscosity/shear rate measurements
Automatic data collection and historical
comparison with Wingather software
Accuracy: 1.0% of range
Flash Point
(IS:1209)
It is used for
determining the flash
and fire points of
petroleum products,
except fuel oils and
those products having
an open cup flash
below 79 degree C
Universal Penetrometer (IS:1206)
A 50gm mass is placed above the
needle making the total weight at
about 100 0.15 gm
Preparation of test sample:

The bitumen is softened to a pouring consistency
between 75C and 100c and stir it thoroughly until it
becomes homogeneous and free from air bubbles
and water.
It is poured it into a container to a depth at least
15mm more than the expected penetration.
The sample containers is kept in a temperature
controlled water bath at a temperature of 25C for
one hour.

Bring the needle to be just at the surface of the
bitumen
Take the initial reading on the dial gauge.
Release the needle for five seconds.
Take the final reading on the dial gauge.
.Determine the penetration of the needle by taking
the difference between final and initial readings on
the dial gauge.
Wash the needle with benzene and dry it.
Repeat the test at least three times for each of the
two tests samples.

Readings Sample no 1 Sample no 2
Test1 Test2 Test3 Mean
Value
Test 1 Test2 Test3 Mean
Value
Penetrometer
dial reading
(i) Inital
(ii) Final
Penetration value
Repeatability, percent





Softening point
APPARATUS

The ring and ball Apparatus,
consisting of steel balls, brass
rings, ball Guides, support.
Thermometer that can read up
to 100C with an accuracy of
0.2C .
Water bath made of heat
resistance glass 85mm
diameter and120mm depth.
Stirrer
PROCEDURE
Sample material is heated to a
temperature between 75C and 100C
above the approximate softening point
until it is completely fluid.
The sample is poured in the heated
rings placed on metal plates. To avoid
Sticking of the bitumen to metal plate,
coating is done to this with a solution of
glycerin and dextrin (Optional: Grease).
Cool the rings in air for 30 minutes.
The excess bitumen is trimmed and
rings are placed in the support.
The temperature of distilled water is kept at 5C . This
temperature is maintained for 15 minutes after which the
balls are placed in position.
The temperature of water is raised at uniform rate of 5C
per minute with a controlled heating unit, until the bitumen
softens and touches the bottom plate by sinking of balls.
For materials whose softening point is above
80C,glycerin is used as a heating medium and the
starting temperature is 35C instead of 5C.
Two observations are required to be made.
OBSERVATION SHEET
Experiment name: Date:
1.Bitumen grade =
2. Approximate softening point =
.Period of cooling in water bath, minutes =

Test property Sample no 1 Sample no2 Mean value,
Softening
point
Ball no
(i)
Ball no.
(ii)
Temperature(C)at
Which sample touches
bottom plate
Repeatability
Reproducibility
APPARATUS: 1. Briquette mould
2. Water bath made of heat resistance Glass.
3.Square-end trowel or putty knife
4.Ductility machine.
PROCEDURE:
Sample material is heated to a temperature between 75 C and
100C above the approximate softening point until it is
completely fluid.
The sample is strained through IS sieve 30, poured in the mould
assembly.
The mould is placed on a brass plate. Solution of dextrin and
glycerin is applied to both the mould and the brass plate.
After 30 to 40 minutes, the sample is poured in to the moulds,
the plate assembly along with the sample is placed in water bath
maintained at 27C for 30 minutes
Ductility Test
Ductility Test
The sample and mould assemblies are removed from
the water bath and excess bitumen material is cut off by
leveling the surface with hot knife.
The mould assembly-containing sample is replaced in
water bath maintained at 27C for 85 to 90 minutes.
The sides of the mould are now removed and the clips
are carefully booked on the machine. The pointer is set
to zero. The machine is started and the two clips are
pulled apart horizontally.
The distance, at which the bitumen thread of each
specimen breaks, is recorded (in cm) to report as
ductility value. while the test in operation ,it is checked
whether the sample is immersed in water at depth of at
least 10 mm.
Remarks;

OBSERVATION SHEET

Grade of Bitumen =
Pouring temperature, C =
Test temperature, C =
Periods of cooling, minutes,

(a) In air =

(b) In water bath before trimming =

(c) In water bath after trimming =

Test property Briquette Number Mean value
(i) (ii) (iii)
1.Ductility
value(cm)

2.Repeatability
percent

3.Reproducibility
percent
THIN FILM OVEN TEST
This dual-purpose oven is designed
to determine the loss in weight of
bitumen and flux oils (loss on
heating test) and the effect of heat
and air on asphaltic materials (thin
film test).
The temperature is controlled at 163C, +/-1C by
means of a variable temperature controller and
thermostat.
Two rotating platforms are provided with the oven:
one accepts 9 standard, 3oz or 85.41gm. sample
boxes for the loss on heating test, the other
accepts two 140 mm diameter test pans for the
thin film test.
The platform rotates at 5 to 6 RPM by means of
an external motor.

Stripping Test
APPARATUS
Thermostatically controlled water bath.
Beaker

PROCEDURE
Aggregate passing 20 mm IS sieve and retained on
12.5 mm sieve are heated up to 150C when these are
to be mixed with bitumen and the aggregates are
heated up to 100C when these are to be mixed with
tar. For each test 500gm each of coated mixture is
prepared.
5% of bitumen binder by weight is heated to
160C(110C in case of tar binder).
The aggregate and binder are mixed thoroughly till they
are completely coated and mixture is transferred to a
500 ml beaker and allowed to cool at a room
temperature for about two hours.
Distilled water is then added to immerse the coated
aggregates. The beaker is covered and kept in a water
bath maintained at 40C taking care that the level of
water in the water-bath is at least half the height of the
beaker.
After 24 hours the beaker is taken out cooled at room
temperature and the extent of stripping, is estimated
visually while specimen is still under water.
OBSERVATION SHEET-(Stripping test)
(i) Type of Aggregate =
(ii) Total weight of aggregate =
(iii) Type of binder =
(iv) Total weight of binder =
(iii) Percentage binder used =
(vi) Temperature of water-bath =
Observation number. Stripping,
percentage
1.
2.
3.
What is Modified Bitumen?

Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen, often
abbreviated as polymer modified bitumen is
obtained by the incorporation of thermoplastics,
crumb rubber powder or chemically treated crumb
rubber and elastomers or a blend of polymeric
and other additives compatible with bitumen.

IS-15462: 2004; Specifications for Polymer and
Rubber Modified Bitumen
IRC-SP-53: 2002: Guidelines on Use of Polymer and
Rubber Modified Bitumen in Roads Constructions
The following are the principal modifiers which are used to modify bitumen:

1) Plastomeric Thermoplastic Polymers
a) Polyethylene PE
b) Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer EVA
c) Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer EMA
d) Ethylene-Butyl Acrylate Copolymer EBA
2) Elastomeric Thermoplastic Polymers
a) Ethylene Ter-Polymer ETP
b) Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Block Copolymer SBS
c) Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene Copolymer SIS
d) Styrene-Butadiene SB
e) Latex and Other Rubbers
t) Styrene Butadiene Rubber SBR
3) Natural Rubber (Latex or Powder) NR
4) Crumb Rubber or Treated Crumb Rubber CR
CLASSIFICATION

Modified bitumen are classified into four types as given below :
a) Type A PMB(P) Plastomeric thermoplastics based
b) Type B PMB(E) Elastomeric thermoplastics based
c) Type C NRMB Natural rubber and SBR latex based
d) Type D CRMB Crumb rubber/treated crumb rubber based





Further division of the different types into grades

Grade of Type A - PMB (P)

a) PMB (P) 120: It means that it is of type A - PMB (P) whose
penetration values range between 90 to 150 (1/10 of mm)

b) PMB (P) 70: Penetration values range between 50 to 90

c) PMB (P) 40: Penetration values range between 30 to 50

Grade of Type A - PMB (P)

a) PMB (E) 120
b) PMB (E) 70
c) PMB (E) 40

Grade of Type C - NRMB

a) NRMB (E) 120
b) NRMB (E) 70
c) NRMB (E) 40

Grade of Type D - CRMB

a) CRMB (E) 120
b) CRMB (E) 70
c) CRMB (E) 40


Sampling And Criteria for Conformity


Lot: In any consignment, all the containers of PMB of same category
and grade manufactured from the same batch shall be grouped
to constitute a lot.


Sl. No. Lot Size (No. of Container) No. of Container to be selected
1 Upto 50 2
2 51 100 3
3 101 200 4
4 201 300 5
5 301 500 7
6 501 and above 10
Sampling Random selection of the number of containers
Advantages
a) Lower susceptibility to daily and seasonal temperature variations
b) Higher resistance to deformation at elevated pavement
temperature
c) Better age resistance
d) Better adhesion between aggregate and the binder
e) Higher fatigue life of mixes
f) Delay of cracking and reflective cracking
g) Overall improved performance in extreme climatic conditions and
under heavy traffic conditions
h) Suitable as renewal course and overlay material on surface which
are badly cracked and subjected to heavy traffic
i) PMB can be used as Stress Absorbing Membrane (SAM) for
sealing of crack as well as interim overlay for preventive
maintenance
j) They can be used as Stress Absorbing Membrane (SAMI) for
delaying reflective cracking
k) Type A PMB are considered not suitable for SAM and SAMI

Elastic Recovery Test

It is evaluated by comparing the recovery of thread after conditioning
for 1 hour at specified temperature and the specimen is elongated upto
10cm @ 5 0.25 cm/min deformation in Ductility machine.


Calculation:
Elastic recovery = (10 X) / 10 * 100

Separation Test
The separation of modifier and bitumen during hot storage is evaluated
by comparing the ring and ball softening point of the top and bottom
samples taken from a conditioned, sealed tube of polymer modified
bitumen

Requirements of PMB (Elastomeric Thermoplastic Based) IRC: SP-53: 2002
Designation
Grade and Requirement Method of Test
PMB 120 PMB 70 PMB 40
Penetration at 25C, 0.1mm, 100g, 5 sec 90-150 50-90 30-50
IS: 1203-1978
Softening Point (R&B), C, Minimum 50 55 60
IS: 1205-1978
Ductility at 27 C, cm
75
+60 +50
IS: 1208-1978
Fraass Breaking Point, C, Minimum -24 -18 -12
IS: 9381-1978
Flash Point, By COC, C, Minimum 220 220 220
IS: 1209-1978
Elastic Recovery of half thread in
Ductilometer at 15C, %, Minimum
75 75 75
Appendix-1

Separation, Difference in Softening Point,
(R&B), C, Maximum
3 3 3
Appendix-2

Viscosity at 150 C, Poise 1-3 2-6 3-9
IS: 1206-1978
Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on Residue (IS: 9382-1992)
Designation
Grade and Requirement Method of Test
PMB 120 PMB 70 PMB 40
Loss in weight, % Maximum 1 1 1
IS: 9382-1982
Increase in Softening Point, C, Maximum 7 6 5
IS: 1205-1978
Reduction in penetration of residue, at
25C, %, Maximum
35
35 35
IS: 1203-1978
Elastic Recovery of Half Thread in
Ductilometer at 25C, %, Minimum
50 50 50
Appendix-1
Requirements of Mix Design Prepared with Modified Bitumen
Sl. No Properties
Requirement
Method of
Test
1
Marshal Stability (75 blows) at
60C Kg., Minimum
1200 1200 1200 ASTM D1559
2 Marshal Flow at 60C, mm 2.5-4.0 3.5-5.0 3.0-4.5 ASTM D1559
3 Marshal Quotient, Kg/ mm 250-500 Stability/Flow
4 Void in Compacted Mix, % 3.0-5.0
5
Requirement of retained
stability after 24hrs in water at
60C, Minimum
90 95 100 ASTM D1075
6 Coating with aggregate, % 95 95 100
AASHTO
T182
What is Marshall Mix Design ?
Temperature-Viscosity Graph
10
100
1000
10000
80 100 120 140 160 180
Temperature (Degree Centigrade)
V
i
s
c
o
s
i
t
y

(
C
s
t
)
From the above figure the mixing temperature at 170 20 centistokes (150Cst 190
Cst) is between 149.5C and 144.6C and for Compacting temperatures at 280
30centistokes is between 138.9C and 134.44C.
Note: Mixing Temperature: 149.5C to 144.6C
Compacting Temparature: 138.9C to 134.4C