CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

UITM PAHANG, KAMPUS JENGKA

HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
ECG 354
OPEN-ENDED LAB
SEPTEMBER 2018 – JANUARY 2019
TITLE OF : SOFTENING POINT
EXPERIMENT
DATE OF : 2 OCTOBER 2018
EXPERIMENT
GROUP : EC110 5B
GROUP MEMBERS : 1. HARITAH BIN HAKIMI (2016619114)
2. MUHAMMAD FITRI BIN ZAHARUDDIN
(2016458236)
3. MOHD HAIQAL FADZRIN BIN EDZRIN EDZWAN
(2016475154)
4. NABILAH BINTI ABDULLATIF (2016473064)
5. NUR ASYIKIN BINTI MOHAMAD (2016475152)
LECTURER : MUHAMMAD MOHKTAR SAMAT
LEVEL OF OPENESS : 1

NO ELEMENT COPO Marks COMMENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

2 BASIC CONCEPT

SUMMARY OF
3
PROCEDURES/METHOD
ANALYSIS AND
4 2 4 6 8 10
INTERPETATION OF DATA

5 DISCUSSION OF RESULT 2 4 6 8 10

6 CONCLUSIONS 2 4 6 8 10

TOTAL MARKS /30

LAB REPORT SELF-ASSESMENT

√ (If VERIFIED
Available) AND
NO ITEM DETAILS BY TEAM COMMENTS
LEADER BY
LECTURER
1. Introduction of results
2. Right data collected form experiment
3. Value of data relate to objectives
4. Analysis of data with caption
 Average 3 data
ANALYSIS AND
1 INTERPETATION  Pattern or trend
OF DATA  Graph
 Tables
 Equations
 Sample calculation
5. SI unit
1. Introduction of discussion
2. Explain direct relationship of
variables
3. Explain the results means
4. Comparison of results to standard
DISCUSSION OF value (BS/ASTM/current practice)
2 RESULT
5. State the value of error to standard
value
6. Implication of results
7. Error of experiment
8. Precaution
1. Explain finding based on objective
2. Answer objective of the experiment
3 CONCLUSION 3. Percentage of data error
4. Future recommendation
INTRODUCTION

In these laboratory activities, Ring-and-Ball Test has remained a valuable consistency test
for control in refining operations, particularly in the production of air-blown bitumen. It is also an
indirect measure of viscosity or, rather, the temperature at which a given viscosity is evident. The
softening point value has particular significance for materials, which are to be used as thick films,
such as joint and crack fillers and roofing materials.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the tests are:

1. To determine the softening point of bitumen using Ring-and-Ball apparatus.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

The choice of a particular type of bitumen depends on its physical properties, climatic
condition and applications. For example, in hot areas, harder bitumen is used for roads to avoid
rutting. Bitumen grading systems based on consistency test were introduced to suit the different
climatic conditions and applications. Consistency describes the degree of fluidity of asphalt cement
at any particular temperature and comparisons of different types of asphalt can be made by
measuring their consistency at the same 1temperature and shear loading conditions. Consistency
test include penetration test, ring and ball test and ductility test.

The softening point is defined as the mean of the temperature at which the bituminous
material is softened and sagged downward at a distance of 25 mm under the weight of steel ball.
In general, with material of this type, softening does not take place at the definite temperature. As
the temperature rises, the bitumin1ous material gradually and imperceptibly changes from brittle
or exceedingly slow flowing material to softer and less viscous. For this reason, the determination
of the softening point must be made by fixed, arbitrary and closely defined method if the results
are to be comparable (MS 687:1995).

Bitumen is one of material used in the road pavement (flexible pavement). The type and
quality of bitumen is very important to build a reliable road pavement. The Choice of particular
bitumen depend on climate condition for the propose location of the road. Bitumen that is too soft
will be melt when subjected to the hot environment. Whereas bitumen that is too hard will cause
road surface crack under certain low temperature.
APPARATUS
 Beaker
 Brass Ring
 Steel Ball
 Ball Guide
 Ring Holder

PROCEDURE
1. The bituminous was heated and stirred until it reached it softening point for not more than 30
minutes. Any air bubble on the heated samples was avoided.
2. The brass ring was heated and were placed on flat plate that been poured with talc.
3. The samples were poured on the each of brass ring until full and leave it cooled in room
temperature for 30 minutes.
4. The top of brass ring was flattening by using spatula that been heated.
5. The brass rings, ball guide, ring holder and thermometer were placed in the beaker in-depth of
102mm till 108mm or 50mm above the brass ring surface.
6. The temperature of water in the beaker was monitored constantly at 5° for 15 minutes by using
ice. The steel ball was place at the center of the ring by using holder.
7. The water temperature rose at rate 5 +/- 0.5°C per minute by heated the water and the stirrer
was switched on.
8. The water was keep heated until the bitumen softens and the steel ball fell at the bottom of
ring holder plate.
9. The temperatures when the bitumen sagged and the bitumen softens are taken noted.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPETATION OF DATA
When conducting the experiment, the data collected in the lab are to determine the
softening point of bitumen using Ring-and-Ball apparatus on three samples with two different
rings which is ring A and ring B. This experiment is conducted to determine whether the bitumen
is suitable to be used or not.

Time (min) Temperature (oC)

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Ring A Ring B Ring A Ring B Ring A Ring B
0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
1 9.0 9.0 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5
2 13.0 13.0 10.5 10.5 13.5 13.5
3 17.0 17.0 13.5 13.5 19.0 19.0
4 20.0 20.0 17.5 17.5 24.5 24.5
5 24.5 24.5 25.5 25.5 30.0 30.0
6 29.0 29.0 30.0 30.0 35.0 35.0
7 33.0 33.0 34.5 34.5 39.5 39.5
8 37.0 37.0 38.5 38.5 45.5 45.5
9 41.0 41.0 43.0 43.0 49.0 49.0
10 52.0 52.5 47.5 47.5 53.0 52.5
11 52.0 51.5
Average 52.3 51.8 52.8
52.3
DISCUSSION
The softening point is another important test of bitumen bind and is effecting by change in
temperature. This test assures the engineer that the binder being test will have properties similar
to this of another binder that has already served successfully. Carefully control of testing
temperature must be 5 c/mm and must be calibrated before making the test until to get the resultant
more accuracy. Many factor effect on softening point. Firstly, the water temperature must increase
5 Celsius and secondly, the water must be distilled water without air void or salt because air
bubbles may assemblages under the sample during heating. Based on the results that we obtained
from the experiment, the temperature of bitumen to melting for sample A is 52.3 oC, for sample 2
is 51.8 oC and for sample 3 is 52.8 oC . so we can conclude that the average of melting point of
bitumen is 52.3 oC. This result may be can be affected by a few factor like water temperature and
type of water. The type of bitumen and grade of bitumen will make the point of melting for bitumen
different with each other and this result.
some safety measures have to be follow. Be alert and make sure your hand doesn’t touch
the hot burner while taking the reading as it may cause minor severe burn. After the experiment,
the apparatus is washed using hazards chemical. Ensure that you wash the apparatus in a fume
chamber with your gloves on

CONCLUSION
To conclude, the final temperature of the softening point is 52.3⁰C which get from the
average of the three samples, 52.3⁰C, 51.8⁰C and 52.8⁰C. The objective of this experiment which
to determine the softening point of the bitumen was achieved. The determination of softening point
helps to know the temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be heated for various road
use applications. The lower the softening points the lower the temperature in which the bitumen
can be used in. Softening point is determined by ring and ball apparatus.
APPENDIX

(figure 1. Show the set-up beaker and ring) (figure 2. Show the ball bearing that use for experiment)

(figure 3. Show the the clipper and ball bearing)

REFFERENCE
1. https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/ring-ball-softening-point-bitumen-asphalt-tar/2571/
2. https://nptel.ac.in/courses/105101087/23-Ltexhtml/p10/p.html
3. https://www.pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/testing/binder-tests/softening-point/