Penetration Test

Lab Report

Name ID

San Sardar F130079

Bawan Farhad F130008
Mohammad Nasih F130182

Instructor: Mr. Abbas Abubaker

Komar University of Science and Technology

 Table of content

Introduction1

Aim.1

Apparatus...1

Procedure2

Formula...2

Discussion...3

Conclusion..3

Reference.4
Introduction

Our filed trip was to Sako Laboratory for highway testing specification. The tests were
(Penetration Test or thin Film test, Softening Point test, flash and Fire test, Ductility test).In
this report we will talk about penetration test. Penetration test is an experimental test used to
measure the consistency of asphalt cement. Generally, the penetration of a bituminous
substance may be defined as distance in hundredths to which a standard needle penetrates the
material under known conditions of time, loading and temperature. This test is used for
estimating the consistency of asphalt material before and after heating.

Aim

1- To find out the softness of bitumen.

2- To determine the consistency of bituminous material

3- Grade of bitumen.

Apparatus

a) Penetrometer

b) Water bath

c) Thermometer

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Procedure

1. Heat the bitumen to become fluid.

2. Put the bitumen in the container.

3. Allow to cool in room temperature.

4. Place the container in the water bath at 25C for

a. 45 - 90 min. for small containers (33 X 16 mm).

b. 60 90 min. for medium containers (55 X 35 mm).

c. 90 120 min. for large containers.

Then put it under the penetrometer.

5. On the penetrometer bring the pointer to zero. Slowly lowering it until it's contact with the
surface of the sample.

6. Release the needle holder for 5 seconds only and adjust the tool to measure the distance
entered in tenths of a millimetre.

7. Make at least three determinations at points on the surface of the sample not less than 10
mm from the side of the container and not less than 10 mm apart

Formula

The penetration is given by: Penetration = (Initial dial gauge reading (mm) - Final dial gauge
reading (mm)) x 10

If the differences exceed the values, the results are ignored and the test must be repeated on
the second sample. If the differences are again exceeded by the second sample, the results
must be ignored and the test completely repeated.

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Discussion

1- Report the source and type of bitumen.

2- Specify the situations of the test (temperature, load, time). Note the three separate readings
and approximation the penetration as the average to the nearest whole unit.

3- Comment on the difference between the highest and lowest readings and, if substandard,
offer an explanation.

4- Compare the average penetration with the producer's quoted range and, if outside this,
offer an explanation.

Conclusion

Over all, Penetration test is one of the most common tests for bitumen. Penetration test is a
usually accepted test on asphalt to grade the material in terms of its hardness. An 80/100
grade bitumen specifies that its penetration value lies between 80 & 100.Grading of asphalt
helps to measure its suitability in different climatic conditions and types of construction. In
hot places, lower penetration grades are preferred to avoid softening whereas higher
penetration grades like 180/200 are used in colder regions to prevent the occurrence of
excessive brittleness.

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References

1- Retrieved from, http://www.pavementinteractive.org/penetration-test/

2- PENETRATION VALUE OF BITUMEN, Retrieved from,

https://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/penetration-value-of-

bitumen/1403/

3- PENETRATION PROCEDURE, Retrieved from,

https://civilengineerspk.com/transportation-engineering-experiments/exp-8-

penetration-test-of-bitumen/

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