Exp PR FP 5
Exp PR FP 5
Group: ( B )
Supervised : Mr.tariq
2024-2025
1
Aim :
Introduction
2
Equipment and chemical used
3
Procedure
Before starting the penetration test, the bitumen is first softened to a pouring
consistency. It is then stirred thoroughly to ensure uniformity before being poured into
the sample container. The depth of the bitumen in the container is kept at least 15 mm
greater than the expected penetration to avoid any bottom interference. Once the
bitumen is in the containers, they are conditioned by placing them in a temperature-
controlled water bath maintained at 25°C for 30 minutes to achieve temperature
equilibrium. After this conditioning period, the samples are removed from the bath and
the penetration needle is positioned in the penetrometer so that it makes contact with
the surface of the bitumen sample. At this point, the dial gauge is set to zero and the test
proceeds.
To ensure accuracy, the penetration needle is thoroughly cleaned with toluene and dried
using a clean cloth. Once cleaned, the needle is carefully inserted into the penetrometer.
A sample container containing at least 100g of bitumen is then placed on the submerged
stand of the penetrometer. It is crucial to make sure that the sample container is
completely covered with water at a maintained temperature of 25°C to ensure consistent
test conditions. The needle is slowly lowered until its tip touches the surface of the
bitumen sample. Once in the correct position, the needle holder is released, allowing the
needle to penetrate the bitumen for a standard duration of 5 seconds. The reading is
then noted in units of 1/10th mm. If the container moves during the measurement, the
test result is disregarded and the test must be repeated.
To obtain reliable data, three measurements are taken on different points of the sample
surface, ensuring each point is at least 10 mm away from the edge of the container and
10 mm apart from each other. After each measurement, the needle is cleaned with
toluene and dried to maintain precision for the subsequent tests. Finally, the mean value
of these three determinations is calculated and reported as the final penetration value.
4
Result
Discussion
The penetration test for bitumen measures the consistency of asphalt by determining
the depth a standard needle penetrates the bitumen sample under controlled conditions.
The results from this test help evaluate the hardness or softness of the bitumen, which
is crucial for its suitability in paving and construction applications.
In your experiment, you recorded three penetration values. The results were as follows:
4.1 mm for Test 1, 8.1 mm for Test 2, and 8.3 mm for Test 3. The second result (8.1 mm)
indicates an error, as it significantly deviates from the other measurements. This large
deviation suggests that the container may have shifted, or there could have been an issue
with the needle’s positioning or equipment stability during Test 2. According to standard
practice, if the container moves, or there is an abnormal reading, the test result should
be ignored or repeated to ensure accurate data.
Analysis:
For penetration tests, consistency in readings is critical. Significant variations like those
observed in your experiment can arise due to errors in needle placement, container
movement, inadequate conditioning, or external disturbances during testing. It’s crucial
to re-examine the methodology and adhere strictly to procedural standards to eliminate
potential errors.
Since the mean value of penetration readings is used to report the final result, Test 2
should be excluded as it represents an anomaly. Assuming the values of Test 1 and Test
3 are accurate, the average of these two values (4.1 mm and 8.3 mm) would provide a
final penetration result of 6.2 mm (after rounding).