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KAEA3143: Highway Engineering (Experiment JR 2)

ASTM D36/D36M-09 Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-andBall Apparatus)
1.0

Introduction

Softening point (ring and ball) test is a method for the determination of the softening point of
bitumen and bituminous binders, in the range 30 C to 150 C. Two horizontal discs of
bituminous binder, cast in shouldered brass rings, are heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath
while each supports a steel ball. The softening point is reported as the
mean of the temperatures at which the two discs soften enough to allow each ball, enveloped in
bituminous binder, to fall a distance of (25,0 0,4) mm. As temperature rises, these materials
gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle and exceedingly slow-flowing materials to
softer and less viscous liquids. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be
made fixed, arbitrary and closely defined method if the results are to be comparable. This
method is useful in determining the consistency of bitumen in establishing the uniformity of
shipments or sources of supply.
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Objective
1. To determine the temperature at which a phase change occurs in the asphalt cement.
It is measured in accordance to ASTM D36/D36M-09.

3.0

Apparatus
1. Steel ball, 9.53 mm diameter, weighing between 3.50 0.05g.
2. Ring
3. Ball-centering guide
4. Ring holder
5. Bath
6. Thermometer

4.0

Procedures
1. Hot asphalt was poured into the ring and samples was cooled at room temperature for
about 30 minutes. The samples were levelled.
2. The ring was
of not less than 102 mm and not more than 108 mm from the bottom of the bath.
3. The ball was placed in each ball-centering guide
4. The temperature for each ring and ball temperature was recorded as shown by
thermometer when the specimen surrounding the ball touches the bottom plate.

5.0

Result and Calculation

The temperature recorded by using the thermometer at the beginning of heating until the end
with interval 1 minutes.

Time reading (mins)


0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10.28
10.40

5
8
13
18
23
27
30
35
39
43
46
47
48

The mean temperature of the two ring balls (


recorded as the softening point.
Number of tests
1
2
Average

47
48
47.5

Softening point =
where R = Temperature reading upon the ball touches the bottom plate.
Softening point =

6.0

Discussion

sta
the standard value.
There might be some errors occur during the experiment so that our value is not precisely
same as the theoretical standard. Thus, some precautionary steps should be taken to
minimize the errors as follows:

1. Use stirrer to stir the water in the beaker so that the temperature can distribute evenly
and fast.
2. Make sure the apparatus to take out the bitumen are hot enough, if not the bitumen
will stay in the semi-solid state and hard to be put in the rings.
3. When taking the reading of thermometer, the eyes should pe perpendicular to the
meniscus level to avoid parallax errors.
4. Take care of hazardous, hot and dangerous apparatus. Wear plastic glove and face
mask during the experiment to avoid accident.
7.0

Conclusion
Based on the experiment,
approximately equal to standard value of bitumen use in Malaysia. It prove that the
objective of this experiment was achieved. Some errors may occur during experiment so
that precautionary steps should be taken to minimize it. This experiment method is useful
in determining the consistency of bitumen in establishing the uniformity of shipments or
sources of supply.

8.0

Attachment

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