FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG

1.1 Objectives:

 To determine the quality of bitumen used in flexible pavement.

 To determine the softening point of bitumen and identify at which effective temperature that
the bituminous binder should be heated for road applications.

1.2 Apparatus:

Ring Brass
Steel ball Stirrer holder ring

Thermometer

Ball guide

Beaker

October 20, 2018

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG

1.3 Procedure:

1. The sample is heated to a temperature between 75 and 100˚C above the

approximate softening point until it is completely fluid.

2. The distilled water is poured into the glass beaker and ice cubes is put into
it to cool down the temperature below 5 ˚C. Wait for 3-5 minutes to
stabilize the temperature.

3. A stirrer is placed at the bottom of glass beaker so that the temperature

rises at uniform rate.

4. The sample is placed in the brass ring and suspended in the distilled water
at a given temperature.

5. A steel ball is placed on the sample and the water is heated such that the
temperature increases by 5˚C per minute.

6. The temperature reading is taken for every 1 minute interval and the when
the softened sample touched the metal plate the temperature is taken.

October 20, 2018

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG

1.4 Data Acquisition

Temperature (˚C)
Sample 1 Sample 2
5 5
6 6
9 9
12.5 12.5
15 15
19 19
22.5 22.5
26 26
30 30
35 35
39 39
43.5 43.5
48 48
52.5 52.5
57 57
61 61
Temperature when balls 65 64
touch bottom metal plate

1.5 Data Analysis

Average temperature of sample 1 and sample 2 = Softening point

65+64
Softening point = = 64.5 ˚C
2
1.6 Graph

1.7 Discussion

Based on standard ASTM, the determination of the softening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to
157°C [86 to 315°F] using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water [30 to 80°C]…

October 20, 2018

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG

1.8 Conclusion

As the conclusion, softening point indicates the temperature at which binders possess the
same viscosity. Bituminous materials do not have a melting point. Higher softening point
ensures that they will not flow during service. Higher the softening point, lesser the
temperature susceptibility. Bitumen with higher softening point is preferred in warmer places.
As Malaysia is a dry and wet country whether, so it is suitable to use bitumen with high
temperature of softening point, which is it will not become harden rapidly. The penetration at
25°C is 70 dmm and the softening point temperature IP is 64.5°C. So the penetration index of
this experiment is +3. The best range for penetration index based on JKR standard is from -3 to
3. Our result is achieved the JKR standard for bitumen. So the bitumen is suitable for use in
Malaysia.

1.9 Reference

ASTM D36 / D36M-14e1, Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball
Apparatus), ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014, www.astm.org

October 20, 2018