EXPERIMENT NO.
VISCOSITY TEST
Theory and Scope:
Viscosity is defined as the increase of fluidity. The degree of fluidity at the application
temperature greatly influences the ability of bituminous material to spread, penetrate in to void
and also coat the aggregates and hence affects the strength characteristics of the resulting paving
mixes. There is an optimum value of fluidity or viscosity for mixing and compacting for each
aggregate gradation of the mix and bitumen grade. At high fluidity or low viscosity, the bitumen
binder simply “lubricates” the aggregate particles instead of providing a uniform film thickness
for binding action. Similarly, low fluidity or high viscosity does not enable the bitumen to coat
the entire surface of aggregates. It will increase the compactive force or effort. The test is
conducted as per IS: 1206.
Aim:To determine the property of a given bituminous material as per IS: 1206.
Apparatus:A orifice viscometer (one of 4.0mm diameter used to test cut back grades 0 and 1and
10mm orifice to test all other grades), water bath, stirrer and thermometer.
Procedure:
The tar cup is properly leveled and water in the bath is heated to the temperature
specified for the test and is maintained throughout the test.
The sample material is heated at the temperature 20 above the specified test temperature
and the material is allowed to cool. During cooling the material continuously, stirred.
When material reaches slightly above test temperature, the same is poured in the tar cup,
until the leveling peg on the value rod is just immersed.
A graduate receiver (cylinder) and a 20ml of mineral oil or one percent by weight
solution of soft soap is poured.
When the sample material reaches the specified test temperature within ±0.1ºC and then
valve is opened.
The stop watch is started with the valve opening and time is noted for collecting a 50ml
of test sample to flow through the orifice and collected in the receiver kept below the
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orifice viscometer.
Schematic Representation of Experiment
Standard Tar Viscometer
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Observation and Calculation:
Trails
Test Mean Value
1 2 3
Viscosity in Sec.
Result:The time in seconds for 50ml of the test sample to flow through the orifice
__________________sec.
Viva Voce:
1. Explain the term viscosity.
2. What are the uses of viscosity test?
3. What are the precautions to be taken during viscosity test using orifice viscometer?
References:
1. Indian Standard Method for Tar and Bitumen, Determination of Viscosity of Bitumen,
IS: 1206, Indian Standards Institution.
2. Indian Standard Specification for Paving Bitumen, IS: 73.
3. S.K. Khanna and C.E.G Justo, Highway Materials Testing Laboratory Manual,
Nem Chand Bros. Roorkee.
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EXPERIMENT NO.
Demonstration of Bituminous Mix Design by Marshall Method
Theory and Scope:
Bituminous mixes are used in the surface course of road and airfield pavements. The
desirable bituminous mix properties include stability, density, durability, flexibility, resistance to
skidding and workability during construction. Stability is defined as resistance of the paving mix
to deformation under load and is thus a stress level which causes strain depending upon
anticipated field conditions. Stability is function of friction and cohesion. Durability is defined as
the resistance of the mix against weathering which causes hardening and this depends upon loss
of volatiles and oxidation.
In this method the resistance to plastic deformation of cylindrical specimen of bituminous
mixture is measured when the same is loaded at the periphery at 5 cm per minute. This test
procedure is used in designing and evaluating bituminous paving mixes. ASTMvide designation
D 1559-62 T has standardized the test procedure.
Aim:To determine optimum binder content of given bituminous mix by Marshall method ofMix
Design.
Apparatus:Mould Assembly, Sample Extractor, Compaction Pedestal and Hammer,
BreakingHead, Loading Machine, flow meter, thermometers, water bath and oven.
Procedure:
The coarse aggregates, fine aggregates and mineral filler material should be proportioned
and mixed in such a way that final mix after blending has the gradation within the
specified range.
Approximately 1200 grms of aggregates and filler are taken and heated to a temperature
0 0
of 175 to 190 C.
The compaction mould assembly and rammer are cleaned and kept pre-heated to a
0 0 0 0
temperature of 100 C to 145 C. The bitumen is heated to temperature of 121 to 138 C
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and the required quantity of first trail percentage of bitumen is added to the heated
aggregate and thoroughly mixed using a mechanical mixer or by hand mixing with
trowel.
0 0
Then the mix is heated and a temperature of 150 to 160 C is maintained and then the
mix is transferred into the pre-heated mould and compacted by giving seventy five blows
on each side.
The specific gravity values of different aggregates, filler and bitumen used are
determined first. The theoretical specific gravity of the mix is determined.
Soon after the compacted bituminous mix specimens have cooled to room temperature,
the weight, average thickness and diameter of the specimen are noted. The specimens are
weighed in air and then in water.
The bulk density value of the specimen if calculated from weight and volume.
Then the specimen to be tested are kept immersed under water in a thermostatically
0 0
controlled water bath maintained at 60 + 1 C for 30 to 40 minutes.
The specimens are taken out one by one, placed in the Marshall test head and the
Marshall stability value and flow value are noted.
The corrected Marshall Stability value of each specimen is determined by applying the
appropriate correction factor, if the average height of the specimen is not exactly 63.5
mm.
Five graphs are plotted with values of bitumen content against the values of density,
Marshall Stability, Voids in total mix, Flow value, Voids filled by Bitumen.
Let the bitumen contents corresponding to maximum density be B1, corresponding to
maximum stability be B2 and that corresponding to the specified voids content (at
4.0%) be B3. Then the optimum bitumen content for mix design is given by: B o= (B1+
B2+ B3) / 3
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1. Materials Selection 2. Design Aggregate Structure
3. Preparation of Specimen 4. Design Binder Content
Steps Showing the Procedure of Marshall Mix Design
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40
8.00
6.00
A ir void s in %
16.00
4.00
15.50
2.00
V M A in %
15.00
0.00
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6
14.50
Binder content in %
14.00
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Binder content in %
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5.00
74.00
%
B
F
n
i
73.00
72.00
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Binder content in %
Pictorial Representation of Marshall Mix Design
Observations and Calculations:
Result:The
The optimum binder content of the given mix is ______________________
Viva Voce:
1. What is the significance of flow value in Marshall Test?
2. What is filler?
3. What are the essential properties of bituminous mixes?
Reference:
1. S.K. Khanna and C.E.G Justo, Highway Materials Testing Laboratory Manual,
Nem Chand Bros. Roorkee.
2. Ministry of Road Highway Transport, fourth revisions, by Indian Road Congress.
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