CH CHANDRASEKHAR

Roll No: 181708

Experiment No 1.1

PENETRATION TEST

1.1.1 Objective: To determine the penetration value of a given bitumen sample.

1.1.2 Background:
Penetration test is a basic test for determining the grades of bitumen. In effect, the test is an
indirect determination of high temperature viscosity and low temperature stiffness. The scope
of this is to provide a method for determining the consistency of semi-solid and solid
bituminous materials in which the sole or major constituent is either bitumen or tar pitch. The
penetration of bituminous material is its consistency expressed as the distance in tenths of a
millimeter that a standard needle penetrates vertically into a specimen of the material under
specified conditions of temperature, load and duration of loading. Grades of straight-run
bitumen are designated by two penetration values, for example, 40/50, 60/80, 80/100 etc.; the
penetration of an actual sample of the bitumen in any grade should fall between the lower and
upper value given.
In this experiment, the sample is melted and cooled under controlled conditions. The
penetration is measured with a penetrometer by means of which standard needle is applied to
the sample under specific conditions. The temperature, load and time of solid bituminous are
understood to be 25°C, 100g and 5s respectively. For semi-solid bituminous, the penetration is
more than the hard ones. Therefore, penetration test of bituminous materials is important and
very wide, application to classify the bituminous to specific grade. Although penetration testis
classified as empirical test, it is very easy and fast to be done.
The consistency of bituminous materials varies depending upon several factors such as
constituents of bitumen (relative proportions of asphaltenes, resins and oils), temperature etc.
and is determined by indirect methods. Penetration test is one such indirect test to determine
the consistency of paving grade bitumen. Various types and grades of bituminous materials are
available depending on their origin and refining process. Penetration test determines the
consistency of these materials for the purpose of grading them, by measuring the depth (in units
of one tenth of a millimeter or one hundredth of a centimeter) to which a standard needle will
penetrate vertically under specified conditions of standard load, duration and temperature.
Thus, the basic principle of the penetration test is the measurement of the penetration (in units
of one tenth of mm) of a standard needle in a bitumen sample maintained at 25°C during 5

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Roll No: 181708

seconds, the total weight of needle assembly being 100 g. the concept of penetration test on
bitumen sample is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig 1.1.1 Penetration test concept

1.1.3 Apparatus:
The apparatus for conducting penetration test on bitumen consists of penetrometer, container,
thermostatically controlled water bath, stop watch and transfer dish.
Penetration test apparatus or Penetrometer: This apparatus consists of a penetration needle
assembly which is attached to a calibrated dial. On release, the penetration needle penetrates
into the bitumen specimen without appreciable friction. The penetration unit consists of a
straight polished cylindrical stainless steel needle of total length 50 mm and diameter 1.0mm
with a pointed end, the conical end of the penetration needle tapers from a diameter of 1.0 mm
to 0.15 mm through a length of 5 mm. The other end of the needle is rigidly fixed to a shank
of diameter 3 mm. the gross weight of penetration needle is 100 g. the dial of the penetrometer
is calibrated to measure the penetration value in units of one tenth of a mm. Electrically
operated automatic penetrometers are also available, in which the test duration is automatically
controlled, by releasing the test needle assembly for an exact duration of 5.0 seconds.

Container: a flat bottomed cylindrical metal or glass container of diameter 55 mm and depth
35 mm is used to place the penetration test specimen of bitumen. A container of diameter 70
mm and depth 45 mm is used for testing bitumen binders with penetration values exceeding
225.

Water bath: a thermostatically controlled water bath containing not less than 10 liters of water,
maintained at 25 ± 1 °C so as to keep the containers with the bitumen sample immersed in
water at a depth of 100 mm (or more) from the surface and supported on a perforated shelf
placed at 50 mm (or more) from the bottom of the water bath.

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 CH CHANDRASEKHAR
Roll No: 181708

Transfer tray: A small tray which can keep the bitumen container fully immersed in water at
25 °C during the test.

Thermometer: A thermometer to read up to 0.2 °C.

Timer device: A timer device or stop watch, accurate to 0.1 of a second.

1.1.4 Procedure:
Preparation of test specimen
 The bitumen is heated to a pouring temperature about 75 – 100°C above the temperature
at which bitumen softens.
 The sample is thoroughly stirred to make it homogeneous and free from air bubbles and
water.
 The bitumen sample is then poured into the containers of 35 mm depth.
 The sample containers are placed on the transfer tray and cooled in atmosphere at
temperature between 15 – 30°C for 60 to 90 minutes.
 Then the transfer tray with the sample containers is placed in the thermostatically
controlled water bath maintained at a temperature of 25°C for a period of 60 to 90
minutes after which it is removed from water bath and placed under needle of
penetrometer.
Determining the penetration value
 Using the adjusting screw, the needle assembly is lowered and the tip of the needle is
made to just touch the top surface of bitumen sample and the needle assembly is
clamped in this position.
 The initial reading of the penetrometer dial is either adjusted to zero or initial reading
is taken before releasing the needle.
 The needle is released exactly for a period of 5.0 seconds by pressing the knob and the
final reading is taken on the dial.
 The test is repeated on the same sample by conducting the repeat test at a distance of
not less than 10 mm apart.
 After each test the needle assembly is raised and the penetration needle is cleaned with
benzene and dried.
1.1.5 Precautions:
 Use hand gloves and apron while pouring bitumen in containers.
 There should be no disturbance at the time of penetration.

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Roll No: 181708

 Hot air oven or sand bath may be used to avoid over heating of bottom of the container.
 If the bitumen sample contains extraneous matter, it should be removed by sieving.
1.1.6 Observations and Calculations:
Penetration value
Trial No. Initial dial reading Final dial reading
(Final – Initial)

1 0 30 30

2 0 31 31

3 0 35 35

Average penetration value (1/10th of mm) = 32

1.1.7 Results and Discussion:

The penetration value of given bitumen sample is 3.2 mm
It may be noted that the penetration value is influenced by
i. Pouring temperature
ii. Size of needle
iii. Weight placed on the needle
iv. Test temperature
v. Duration of releasing the penetration needle
vi. Period of cooling
The penetration value obtained will be higher if the test temperature is higher than specified
value of 25 °C or the weight of needle assembly is higher than specified value of 100g. The
penetration value will be low if the pouring temperature is high.

Penetration grade Type of pavement

30 – 40 Heavy loaded pavement such as bus station, junctions

40 – 60 Pavement on normal roads

60 – 80 Cold climate places, road on hills

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Roll No: 181708

1.1.8 Applications:
 Penetration test is the most commonly adopted test on bitumen to grade the material in
terms of its hardness depending upon the climatic conditions and type of construction
 The penetration values of various types of bitumen used in pavement construction in
this country range between 20 and 225.
 The appropriate grade of bitumen binder to be used for road construction work is
decided depending upon the climatic condition of the project site, type of construction
and pavement layer (base course/ binder course/ surface course).
 Harder grade of bitumen with lower penetration value is generally chosen in warm
regions.
 In colder regions, bitumen with higher penetration value is generally used.

1.1.9 References:
● Bureau of Indian Standards, IS: 73 – 2013, Indian Standard Paving Bitumen – Specification
(Fourth Revision)
● Bureau of Indian Standards, IS: 1203 – 1978, Indian Standard Methods for Testing Tar and
Bituminous Materials: Determination of Penetration (First Revision)
● ASTM Designation: D5 – 06, Standard test method for Penetration of Bituminous
Materials.
● Highway Materials and Pavement Testing by Dr. S. K. Khanna, Dr. C.E.G. Justo and Dr.
A. Veeraragavan

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