The University of Jordan

The Faculty of Engineering

Civil Engineering
Pavement laboratory

EX #4 : Rotational Viscosity Test

Introduction:
Definition: The Rotational Viscometer (RV) is used to determine
the viscosity of asphalt binders in the high temperature range of
manufacturing and construction. This measurement is used in the
Superpave PG asphalt binder specification. The RV test can be
conducted at various temperatures, but since manufacturing and
construction temperatures are fairly imilar regardless of the
environment, the test for Superpave PG asphalt binder specification is
always conducted at (135°C).

The viscosity of asphalt binder is important because it can control the

following:
 Mixability: The ability of the asphalt binder to be properly mixed
with and to coat aggregate and other HMA constituents in the HMA
manufacturing plant.
 Workability: The ability of the resultant HMA to be placed and
compacted with reasonable effort.

Objectives:
The purpose of the Rotational Viscosity test is to determine the
flow characteristics of the binder to provide some assurance that it
can be handled at the hot mixing plant.

Apparatus:
 Brookfield Thermosel high temperature viscosity unit.
 Spindles for Brookfield Thermosel viscometer.
 Thermosel system including thermos container, temperature
controller, sample chamber and extraction tool.
Procedure:
1. Preheat spindle, sample chamber, and viscometer environmental
chamber (Thermosel) to 275°F (135°C).
2. Heat unaged asphalt binder until fluid enough to pour. Stir the
sample, being careful not to entrap air bubbles.
3. Pour appropriate amount of asphalt binder into sample chamber.
The sample size varies according to the selected spindle and
equipment manufacturer.
4. Insert sample chamber into RV temperature controller unit and
carefully lower spindle into sample
5. Bring sample to the desired test temperature (typically 275°F
(135°C)) within approximately 30 minutes and allow it to
equilibrate at test temperature for 10 minutes.
6. Rotate spindle at 20 RPM, making sure the percent torque as
indicated by the RV readout remains between 2 and 98 percent
7. Once the sample has reached temperature and equilibrated, take 3
viscosity readings from RV display, allowing 1 minute between
each reading. Viscosity is reported as the average of 3 readings.
Theory:-

This procedure is consistent with ASTM D4402, Standard Method for

Viscosity Determination of Unfilled Asphalts Using the Brookfield
Thermosel Apparatus. The RV consists of a set of different spindles, a
Thermosel, a temperature controller, and the viscometer itself. The
viscometer has a digital interface that presents the viscosity, shear
rate, shear stress, temperature, speed, and percent torque, during the
test. The RV automatically calculates the viscosity at the test
temperature. Rotational viscosity is determined based on the torque
required to maintain a constant rotational speed of a cylindrical
spindle while submerged in an asphalt binder sample at a constant
temperature.
Data:
pa.s = 10 poise
1 poise = 100 c.p

temp viscosity in c.p in pa.s

135 500 0.500
165 300 0.300
.

Calculations:
Viscosity @ 135 = 500 c.p
Viscosity @ 165 = 300 c.p
Use these two values to generate viscosity temperature curve , find mixing and
compaction temperature
0.6

0.5

0.4
Viscosity pa.s

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170
tempreture

The Asphalt Institute recommends that, for unmodified asphalt binders, the
laboratory mixing, and compaction temperatures should be determined where
the viscosity-temperature line crosses the viscosity ranges of 0.3 + 0.02 Pa-s
(mixing temperature range) and 0.5 + 0.03 Pa-s (compaction temperature
range). The corresponding temperatures may be reported as a range of values
So, the mixing temp at y=0.3, = 171.6 C. the
compaction temp at y=0.5, = 165.63 C.

THE END