Ductility of Bituminous Materials

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Objective:

To get acquainted with the determination of the ductility of bituminous

materials.

Standards:

ASTM D113 AASHTO T51

Apparatus:
1) Sample mold (briquette)
2) Water bath
3) Square end trowel of putty knife sharpened on end
4) Ductility Machine
Theory:

In flexible pavement construction where bitumen binders are used, it is

of significant importance that the binders form ductile films around the
aggregates. This serves as a satisfactory binder in improving the
physical interlooking of the aggregates. Ductility is a measure of the
cementing power of the asphaltic material. Since high cementing
qualities are desirable in most applications, it is held that an asphalt
that is to be used as a binder should be ductile. However, it should be
noted that the exact value of the ductility is not so important as the
mere presence or lack of ductility. The binder material, which does not
posses sufficient ductility would crack. This in turn results in a
damaging effect to the pavement structure. The test is applicable only
to semisolid (or solid) asphaltic material that is melted by gentle
application of heat and poured into a standard mold. Depending on the
chemical composition and the type of grade source of bitumen, it has
been observed that both penetration and ductility properties go
together. It may hence be mentioned that the bitumen may satisfy
penetration value, but may fail to satisfy ductility requirements.
Penetration or ductility cant in any case replace each other.
The ductility is expressed as the distance in centimeters to which
standard briquette of bitumen may be stretched before the thread
breaks. The test is conducted at 27 0.5C (77F), and at a rate of pull
of 50 2.5 mm/minute.

Procedure:
1) Heat the sample with care; to a temperature of (120-140C) where it
becomes fluid to pour.
2) Pour the sample into the sample mold (briquette) whose depth is
1cm. Allow the sample to cool to nearly the test temperature. Use
the square end trowel to remove the excess material and introduce
the sample to the water bath maintained at the prescribed test
temperature of 27C.
3) Take the briquette with the sample and place in its position on the
ductility machine. Fix it such that the pointer reads zero on the ruler.
4) Calibrate the machine to give a constant rate of motion (stretching)
of 5 cm/min.

5) Switch on, and when the thread is cut, read the value from the ruler
which will give the ductility value.
Report:
1) Record the ductility value obtained.
2) Sketch the apparatus.
3) Provide Discussion, Conclusion & Comments.
4) List possible source of errors.