STANDARD PENETRATION TEST FOR BITUMEN

MUHAMAD SUHAINIZAM BIN MUHAMAD SAINI, MUHAMAD

FAUZAN BIN BAHARIN ANNUAR, HARITH HAQIEM BIN SHAARI,
MUHAMMAD AZIEM BIN HISHAM
CIVIL DIVISION FACULTY OF ENGINEERING ( UNIVERSITY SELANGOR )

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Abstract
This paper reports the principle, procedure, and results acquired while conducting the
Penetration Test of bitumen. In this test, the consistency of a sample of bitumen is examined
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. This is the
most widely used method of measuring the consistency of a bituminous material at a given
temperature. It is a means of classification rather than a measure of quality. Three bitumen
samples were tested under a loading of 100g, time of 5 seconds and temperature of 25oC and
the penetration value is recorded. Three readings are taken for each sample to find the average.
It is important to note that the harder the grade of bitumen, the lower the penetration value. The
significance of this study is that the results will be able to determine the sample grade of the
bitumen sample and can also be used alongside the results of the Softening Point test to
determine the Penetration Index (PI).
Keywords: penetration test, bitumen, consistency, penetration value, penetration index

1
INTRODUCTION

Bitumen is an oil based non-crystalline solid or viscous substance derived from petroleum
that exists in the natural or as a by-product of refinery processes; has adhesive properties, and
substantially soluble in carbon disulphide. It is a mixture of organic liquids that are highly
viscous, black, sticky, and composed primarily of highly condensed polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons. Bitumen is obtained by removing the lighter fractions (such as liquid
petroleum gas, petrol and diesel) by distillation of blends of heavy crude oil during the
refining process. The vast majority of refined bitumen is used in construction industry.
Bitumen's primary use is as a constituent of products used in paving and roofing applications.
Approximately 85% of all the bitumen produced worldwide is used as the binder in asphalt
for roads and it is also used in other paved areas such as airport runways, car parks and
footways.
Penetration value is a measure 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 conditions of load, time and temperature. This distance is measured in
one tenths of a millimeter. This test is used for evaluating consistency of bitumen. It 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.

The significance of this experiment is because the Penetration Test is used as a measure of
consistency. Lower penetration values indicate harder consistency. The test is widely used all
over the world for classifying bituminous materials into different grades. Depending upon
the climatic conditions and type of construction, bitumen of different penetration grade are
used. In warmer regions, lower penetration grades are preferred and in colder regions
bitumen with higher penetration values are used. Commonly used grades in Malaysia are
60/70 and 80/100.
The aim of this paper is to carry out the Penetration Test on three different bitumen samples.
The objective is to determine the consistency of bituminous material, to assess the suitability
of bitumen for use under different climatic conditions and various types of construction
environment, and to determine the purity or contamination of the bitumen sample. The
bitumen properties also investigated included determination of the sample grade at the
temperature of 25C. The purpose of this study is to identify statistically the performance of
the bitumen sample. The results of this test will be used alongside the results of the Softening
Point test to plot inside the nomograph and determine the PI index, thus determine the
bitumen type.

2
OBJECTIVE

This test method measures the penetration value, or 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, under a load of 100g and temperature of 25Co.

MATERIALS / APPARATUS

1. Container: A flat bottomed cylindrical metallic dish 55 mm in diameter and 35 mm in

depth is required. If the penetration is of the order of 225 or more, dish of 70mm
diameter and 45mm depth is required.

2. Needle: A straight, highly polished, cylindrical hard steel rod.

3. Water bath: Water bath maintained at 25 0.1 C,

4. Penetration apparatus: Should be such that it allows needle to penetrate without much
friction& is accurately calibrated.

5. Thermometer: Range 0- 44 C.

6. Time measuring device: With an accuracy of l second.

3
PROCEDURE

1. Three samples of bitumen of depth more than 10mm were given.

2. The first sample is put inside a water bath of temperature 25Co to maintain the
temperature of the bitumen sample.
3. The penetration needle is cleaned and a load of 100g is placed above the needle.
4. The needle is mounted on the bitumen, such that it should just touch the surface of the
bitumen.
5. Penetrate three points on the bitumen, such that the points must be at least 10mm
away from each other, for 5 seconds, with the penetration needle. Note that the needle
must be cleaned after every penetration. Record the penetration values.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the other two samples.
7. Calculate the average for each sample then tabulate the data.

THEORY
Penetration value is a measure 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 conditions of load, time and temperature. This distance is measured in
one tenths of a millimeter. This test is used for evaluating consistency of bitumen. It 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.

PRECAUTION
1. There should be no movement of the container while needle penetrates into sample.
2. The sample should be free from any extraneous matter.
3. The needle should be cleaned with benzene and dried before penetration.

OBSERVATION

Penetration Value (mm)

Reading
1 2 3 Average
Sample

A 31 34 33 33

B 36 33 35 35

C 34 35 33 34

4
EXAMPLE CALCULATION
Example calculation

Sample A:
Avg= Reading 1+Reading 2+Reading 3
3
= 31 + 34 + 33
3
= 33 mm
Average of all three samples
Average = (33 +35 + 34)/3 = 34 mm

RESULT
MEAN= 34 mm

DISCUSSION
From the observation and results, it is determined that the penetration value of the bitumen samples is
34 mm. But the grade of the bitumen that we use is 80/100. So, from my opinion the penetration could
go 80-100 mm penetration in this case. Theoretically, bitumen of grade 80/100 should produce
penetration values of between 80mm-100mm, but our results only produced a value of average 34
mm. This may be caused by a few factors, main factor is the age of the bitumen. The bitumen sample
was produced or mixed for quite some time, so the rapid process of ageing during storage may have
caused the bitumen to become hard and brittle. This causes the penetration of the needle into the
bitumen to become more difficult thus produces a low penetration value. Another factor is
temperature. Temperature is a difficult factor to control because we only use a water bath to control
the temperature and assume that the bitumen sample is the same temperature. There is a possibility
that the bitumen sample is not at 25oC even though we have controlled the water bath at 25oC. Also,
another factor could be human error during the penetration. It is difficult to guarantee that the tip of
the needle is just exactly on the surface of the bitumen sample before penetrating. The needle could
have been too far or too deep into the bitumen sample before penetrating. This also affects the
penetration value of the bitumen sample. To avoid the needle to make an error, we already clean the
needle to make it less human error for this experiment.

5
RECOMMENDATION
To start this experiment, we have to be caution and not to or minimalize our error in this
experiment. We have to carefully to carry out this experiment. The most difficult step of this
experiment is to make sure the needle is on the surface of the bitumen. It is recommended to
carry out this experiment in bright situation, flashlight also can be use to minimalize our
error. The sample must be stand still or no movement when carry out this experiment. Also
we have to properly clean up the needle and let it dry for a while and zero rush in this
experiment.

CONCLUSION
Based on the test conducted, the penetration value of the sample bitumen is 34 mm. We
determine that the sample grade of bitumen that we used is 80/100. This ought to be
contemplated when making road asphalts since bitumen levels utilized must be reasonable
relying upon the condition and climate. Along these lines, this analysis is important to decide
the penetration score and level of bitumen to be connected on road structures.

REFERENCE
https://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/penetration-value-of-bitumen/1403/
ASTM (1998). ASTM D5-97 Standard test method for penetration of bituminous materials. 1998
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume04.03, American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia 19103-1187