5.

Specific Gravity Of Asphalt Test

INTRODUCTION:

This test is to determine the specific gravity of semi-solid

bitumen. The principle is that it is the ratio of mass of a
given volume of bitumen to the mass of an equal volume of
water, both taken at a recorded/specified temperature. This
can be done either by balance or by using picnometer.

TEST SIGNIFICANCE:
1. To measure the quantities of materials in the Job Mix Formula (JMF).
2. To classify the materials according to the Sp.Gr..
3. To find the foreign material.

APPARATUS:
The apparatus needed to determine specific gravity of bitumen is
i) Specific gravity bottles of 25ml capacity.
ii) Water bath with thermometer.
iii) Balance.
PROCEDURE:
1. Heating asphalt to (75 – 100)⁰C.
2. Mix the asphalt during the heating continuously for getting a uniform
and un air voids asphalt.
3. Cleaning the picnometer and weight it =(a) gm.
4. Fill the picnometer with pure water t 25 ⁰C and weight it =(b) gm.
5. Fill half of the picnometer with asphalt then cool it for half hour in
water at 25⁰C and weight it = (c) gm.
6. Fill the rest space remain from the picnometer in step (5) with water
at 25⁰C and weight it = (d) gm.
CALCULATION:
𝑐−𝑎
𝑆𝑝. 𝐺𝑟. =
(𝑏 − 𝑎) − (𝑑 − 𝑐)

OBSERVATIONS:
 Test name and number:
 Testing temperature: ⁰C.
 Cooling time in 25⁰C water bath: min.
 Specific Gravity of Asphalt: