Page 39 - HIGHWAY ENGINEERING LABORATORY_FLIP BUILDER

Page :
WORK INSTRUCTION
Edition :
Checking No.
PENETRATION OF
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS Effective Date:
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Reference Standard:
JKA/ DCC30112/ 2021 BS 2000: Part 49: 1983 Amendment Date:

1.0 OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENT :

To examine the consistency of a sample of bitumen by determining the distance in tenths
of a millimeter that a standard needle vertically penetrates the bitumen specimen under

known conditions of loading (100 gram), time (5 seconds) and temperature (25 C).

. 2.0 SUMMARY OF THEORY :

This is the most widely used method of measuring the consistency of a bituminous
material at a given temperature. It is a means of classification rather than a measure of
quality. (The engineering term consistency is an empirical measure of the resistance

offered by a fluid to continuous deformation when it is subjected to shearing stress). The
type and amount of these constituents are determined by the source petroleum and the
method of processing at the refinery. Can characterize asphalt binder at one temperature
25 C (77 F). Penetration grades are listed as a range of penetration units (one

penetration unit = 0.1 mm of penetration by the standard needle).
In Malaysia, use of 80-100 PEN is very common. However, the 60-70 PEN is
recommended in the new JKR specification. For cold climate regions, softer grade is

preferred whereas hot climate demands harder grade. Typical range of pen. value is 40 to
300 PEN

Higway Engineering Laboratory page 26