I am conducting a research on effect of fillers on asphalt characterictics.
You can perform different types of tests to measure the quality of a bitumen binder. However, the simplest series of tests can be listed as follows:
(1) The viscosity test measures the fluid property of bituminous. It has a great contribution to asphalt strength and resistance against rutting. Low or high viscosity is also the main parameter to determine compaction or mixing temperature.
(2) The softening point determines the maximum temperature which bitumen can perform properly without extensive softening and helps to select the bitumen type based on the field condition.
(3) Penetration test also provides some insights to the hardness of bitumen
And finally (4) the ductility test shows the elastic and ductile properties of bitumen to avoid cracking.
Dear Khan,
Also perform these following tests on bitumen:
1.PENETRATION TEST
It measures the 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.
2.SOFTENING POINT TEST
Softening point denotes the temperature at which the bitumen attains a particular degree of softening under the specified condition of test.
3.SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST
The specific gravity of bitumen is defined as the ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen of known content to the mass of equal volume of water at 27 degree Centigrade. The specific gravity can be measured using either pycnometer or preparing a cube specimen of bitumen in semi solid or solid state.
All the best
Along with physical characterization explained above personnel's you can do rheological characterization of bitumen for better results.
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) test are advance tests which results give more information regarding behaviour of bitumen in real road condition. Other conventional tests are used to know physical properties of bitumen but they are empirical tests. That's why, DSR and BBR recommend for determination of viscous elastic properties(shear strength, shear strain rate) of bitumen.
Dear Sikander,
To put in a nutshell, the tests required are:
1. Specific gravity
2. Penetration
3. Softening point
4. Fire point
5. Flash point
6. Rotational viscometer
7. DSR
8. BBR
9. Dynamic creep
10. Static creep
11. Stiffness
12. Flow number
I agree with the QA tests listed by the colleagues. However, it is the properties of the mix that you should look at for a better overall asphalt concrete. A good mix optimizes the properties of asphalt and aggregates
Dear Khan
you should state where are you going to use the bitumen? if its for asphalt concrete, then the major test procedures required are the ductility, softening point, penetration, viscosity, loss on heating(thin film or rotating thin film), and calculate the rheological properties (penetration index, temperature of equivalent stiffness) and if the superpave equipment's are available, then go for BBR, and DSR.
If you are using the bitumen for damp proofing or joint sealant, then you go for bond test, cone penetration and viscosity.
i am attaching a paper on the subject, i hope you find it useful.
Dear Khan,
Already many researchers have mentioned about basic tests. Along with those basic tests check force ductility (FD) test, Double edge notch tension (DENT) test, and direct tension (DT) tests. These tests will help you in understanding tensile and fracture behaviour of bitumen.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Transportation Engineering