HIGHWAY ENGINEERING LABORATORY

ECG344
OPEN-ENDED LAB
OCTOBER 2023 - FEBRUARY 2024

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT :SOFTENING POINT TEST

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 1 OCTOBER 2023
GROUP : J4CEEC1105B1
GROUP MEMBERS
1. AIREEN AQILAH BINTI MOHD NIZAR
(2021628504)
2. MUHAMMAD AIDIL HAFEIZ BIN MOHD
HAZRY (2021605758)
3. NUR FATIHAH BINTI RAFAIZUL AMAN
(2021821964)

LECTURER : MOHAMED KHATIF TAWAF BIN MOHAMED

YUSOF

LEVEL OF OPENESS : 0/1/2

CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDIES
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

GROUP ASSESSMENT FOR REPORT

ECG344 – HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

INSTRUCTION: ASSESS THE STUDENT BASED ON THE RUBRIC GIVEN BELOW. ALL QUESTIONS ADDRESS CO2–PO10 (AFFECTIVE)
CO2 : Demonstrate effective communication skills in the design of pavement NO. STUDENT ID NAME GROUP MARK
and traffic study needs 1. 2021821964 NUR FATIHAH BINTI RAFAIZUL AMAN CEEC1105B1
PO10 : Communicate effectively on well-defined engineering activities with the
engineering community and with society at large, by being able to 2. 2021628504 AIREEN AQILAH BINTI MOHD NIZAR CEEC1105B1 20
comprehend the work of others, document their own work, and give and 3. 2021605758 MUHAMMAD AIDIL HAFEIZ BIN MOHD CEEC1105B1
receive clear instructions. HAZRY

Name of field work : LABORATORY 9: SOFTENING POINT TEST

:
LEVEL OF OPENNESS : 0 / 1 / 2

AFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE RUBRIC Marks

PERFORMANCE SCALE
NO. Developing Functional Proficient Advanced
CRITERIA
1 2 3 4 5
Procedures developed were
Procedures developed were Procedures developed were
Summary of relevant to the objective of
relevant to the objective of relevant to the objective of Procedures developed perfectly
Procedures Procedures developed were study but contained minor
1 study but missing more than study but missing 1-2 fit the objective of study. All
(A1) not relevant to the objective error. All steps were
3 important steps. important steps. standards were cited or
of study. included. Reference to
Reference to standards was Reference to applicable referred with discussion.
standards were clearly
not mentioned. standards were mentioned.
explained.
Data collected was relevant
Analysis and Data collected was not but not sufficient to analyze Data collected was relevant Data collected was relevant, Data collected was relevant,
and sufficient to analyze related to the objectives and related to the objectives,
2 Interpretation relevant and not sufficient to and interpret and interpret sufficient to analyze and sufficient to analyze and
of Data (A2) analyze and interpret
interpret accurate interpretation of data

Discussion on the results Description of result was

No discussion on the
meaning of experimental
results and very difficult to
follow the discussion
Discussion (A3)
3 inaccurate that makes the
Little discussion on what
was very difficult to follow,
result mean and
no discussion on the
implications of results.
meaning of results and
Enough errors are made to
information was so
be distracting, but some
information was accurate
report unreliable
Result and discussion are
generally clear.
clearly stated, through
Some discussion on what
discussion on what results
results mean and
mean and implications of result.
implications of results.
Provide consistently accurate
No significant errors are
information
made

No attempt was made to
conclude. Objective of
Conclusion (A4)
the lab was not answered
4 not directly answering the
Conclusion was derived
from the collected and
analyzed data but it is not
answering the objectives
Conclusion was good and
derived from the collected
and analyzed data and not
from other sources but did
objective
Conclusion was good and
Conclusion was excellent and
derived from the collected
derived from the collected
and analyzed data and not
and analyzed data and not from
from other sources and
directly answer the
other sources. Conclusion
clearly answer the objective
objective
TOTAL MARKS
 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO. CONTENT PAGE

1. 1.0 TITLE 2
2. 1.1 INTRODUCTION 3
3. 1.2 OBJECTIVES 3
4. 1.3 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 4
5. 1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT 4
6. 1.5 MATERIAL AND PROCEDURES
1.5.1 MATERIAL 5
1.5.2 APPARATUS 5
1.5.3 PROCEDURES/METHODS 6-7
7. 1.6 RESULT AND ANALYSIS
1.6.1 RESULT 8-9
1.6.2 ANALYSIS 9
8. 1.7 DISCUSSION 10-11
9. 1.8 CONCLUSION 11
10. 1.9 REFERENCES 12
11. 1.10 APPENDIX 13-15

1
 1.0 LABORATORY 9

BITUMEN SOFTENING POINT TEST

2
1.1 INTRODUCTION

Level 1 experimental activities are situations in which problems, methods, and means are
guided and given to students. However, the answers to the exercises are assigned to the students,
who must solve them using group creativity and innovation. This activity hopes to gradually
introduce and instill the ability for independent learning in students and prepare them for the much
more difficult task of open-ended laboratory activities.

The Ring-and-Ball Test has continued to be a useful consistency test for control in refining
processes, particularly in the manufacture of air-blown bitumen, in these laboratory activities. It
also serves as an indirect indicator of viscosity, or more precisely, the temperature at which a
particular viscosity is detectable. For products that are intended to be thick films, such as joint and
crack fillers and roofing materials, the softening point value is especially important.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

By using the Ring-and-Ball apparatus, determination of the softening point of bitumen is

the objective of this experiment.

3
1.3 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Crude oil is refined to create a material called bitumen. Bitumen is frequently used in the
construction sector, particularly for roads and highways, and is well known for its waterproofing
and adhesive characteristics, which helped seal ship bottoms and bind building materials together.
Under significant weights, bitumen can permanently distort. Cracking may occur if the material is
continually under stress. The asphalt might become brittle because of oxidation. The composition
of the asphalt mixture and the surrounding temperature both have an impact on how its shape is
influenced. The building industry uses the most refined bitumen. It is frequently used in road
paving and is typically intended for industrial application. In order to make asphalt for roads,
runways, parking lots, and footpaths, 85% of all bitumen is utilized as a binder.

Bitumen quality tests are an industry standard for determining the grade and categorization of
bitumen. The bitumen load issued and imported in the ports of origin and destination is likewise
subjected to such tests to ensure its quality and guarantee. Bitumen does not have a particular
melting point because it is made up of several hydrocarbon components, including asphaltene and
resin. The bitumen softens and gradually melts when heated. The softening point of bitumen is the
temperature at which it begins to melt or become softer. Engineers should pay attention to this
point since it indicates the temperature at which bitumen loses its adhesive properties and begins
to melt. The ring and ball method is used in laboratories to determine the softening point.

1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT

A new asphalt road connecting to a new building complex on the campus is to be designed
by your firm, according to the assignment. Our team is required to bring a few samples of bitumen
to the lab and use the Ring-and-Ball apparatus to find the samples' softening points in order to
ensure that the material being used complies with the requirements in the standard set by the
Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).

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1.5 MATERIAL AND PROCEDURE

1.5.1 MATERIAL

1. Bitumen sample grade 60/70.

2. Bitumen sample grade 80/100.

3. Water

1.5.2 APPARATUS

1. Glass Beaker

2. Magnetic Stirrer

3. Magnetic Stirring Bar

4. Thermometer

5. Brass Ring

6. Steel Ball

7. Stopwatch

8. Metal Plate

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1.5.3 PROCEDURES/METHODS

1. The beaker was filled with water but not full. Enough space to put some ice and other
apparatus inside it without overfilling the water.

2. The magnetic stirring bar was put inside the beaker that had been filled with water.

3. Then, let it stir by putting the beaker on top of the magnetic stirrer machine with the
lowest rotation while having the thermometer inside it.

4. After the ice disappeared, read the temperature on the thermometer, and collect the data
by put it at starting point.

5. The samples of two different grades of bitumen were put in the brass ring and on the
metal plate. After that, the rings need to have lid and the steel ball was put in the middle of
the ring.

6. The metal plate then was put inside the beakers, together with thermometer and magnetic
stirring bar.

7. With the heater at the maximum temperature and lowest level of stirrer, the data was
collected by taking the temperature for every minute until the ball that surrounds the
bitumen inside the beaker fell touching the metal plate below them.

8. The stopwatch started once the plate that had the samples was inside the beaker.

6
Figure 1: Apparatus Set-up and Process of Ring-and-Bell

7
1.6 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

1.6.1 RESULT

Temperature °C

Time (min) 60/70 80/100

0 9 9

1 11 11

2 12 12

3 14 14

4 16 16

5 20 20

6 23 23

7 28 28

8 30 30

9 31 31

10 32 32

11 35 35

12 36 36

13 38 38

14 38 38

15 40 40

16 41 41

17 42 42

18 44 44

8
 19 46 46

20 48 -

21 49 -

Table 1: Bitumen Softening Point Test

1.6.2 ANALYSIS

Figure 2: Penetration Index

9
1.7 DISCUSSION

Before it can be used in a building project, bitumen must be graded. The stiffness of the
bitumen at specific temperatures is the main factor used to determine this grade. In contrast to the
normal bitumen temperature of 25 degrees °C, these usually range between 50, 60, and 130 degrees
°C. This testing procedure has been developed to evaluate the bitumen's resistance to thermal
cracking, or the physical harm caused by heat and nearly constant friction, which results in cracks
on the surface of the solid bitumen. A bitumen's grade will increase if it can withstand thermal
cracking. The source of the bitumen and the refinement process are two of the many variables that
affect the bitumen's resistance to thermal cracking. The softening point can be used to categorize
bitumen, determine the consistency of items or sources of production, and determine the ability of
a substance to flow at high temperatures experienced in service. The Ring-Ball test is an effective
method for figuring out the bitumen's softening point. It entails putting a bitumen sample in a metal
ring, gradually raising the temperature while setting a steel ball on top of the sample. The bitumen
softens and sinks into the sample as the temperature rises. The temperature at which the ball
contacts the ring's bottom is the softening point, which represents the desired penetration depth.
To ensure reliable and reproducible results, this test is carried out in accordance with defined
methods.

Based on the result obtain, at the minute of 21st, the temperature for grade 60/70 is 49 °C
which indicates the softening point. While, for grade 80/100, the temperature was 46 °C at the
minute of 19th which are faster than grade 60/70. This result is reliable as the suggested temperature
for the softening point of bitumen 80/100 is between 45-52 ° C and bitumen 60/70 is 49-56 ° C.
By that, we can use the data to analyze it together with the penetration result using nomograph for
the Penetration Index of Bitumen. With the Penetration Index we can determine the range of
temperature susceptible bitumen. The bitumen's weaknesses to temperature are indicated by the
penetration index (PI). PI values typically range from around -3 for bitumen that is sensitive to
high temperatures to about +7 for bitumen that is highly blown and sensitive to low temperatures.

10
 As consultant in engineering, they responsible to check the grade of the bitumen for road
construction depends on its climate and traffic load together with environmental conditions of the
area related before choosing it. The consequences of selecting the incorrect bitumen grade can
affect the road such in premature deterioration, decreased performance, increased costs,
compromised safety, the project's performance, safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental
impact. In addition to its durability, can all be impacted negatively by choosing the incorrect
bitumen grade. Therefore, to achieve the best performance and lifespan, it is important to
thoroughly examine the specific demands of your project and select the appropriate bitumen grade.

1.8 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the objective for this laboratory was achieved by determine the softening
point of the bitumen for grade 60/70 and 80/100 using the Ring-and-Ball method. Due to the heavy
traffic and hot temperature in Malaysia, 80/100 penetration grade conventional bitumen is most
frequently used. The only ASEAN country using higher bitumen penetration grade 80/100 than
60/70 is Malaysia.

11
1.9 REFERENCES

1. Energy Education. (May 14, 2015). Bitumen.

https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Bitumen#cite_note-5 (October 6, 2023)
2. Investopedia, James Chen. (July 20, 2022). Bitumen: Crude Oil Byproduct, Examples,
and Uses. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bitumen.asp#toc-what-is-bitumen
(October 6, 2023)
3. Construction Cost. Understanding Bitumen Softening Point: Exploring the Ring-Ball
Test and Proposed Methods for Determination.
https://www.constructioncost.co/bitumen-softening-point.html (October 6, 2023)
4. ASTM International. (May 11, 2020). Standard Test Method for Softening Point of
Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus). https://www.astm.org/d0036_d0036m-
14r20.html (October 6, 2023)
5. BituChem. How Is Bitumen Graded?. https://www.bituchem.com/knowledge-
hub/how-is-bitumen-
graded/#:~:text=It's%20important%20for%20bitumen%20to,bitumen%20(25%20deg
rees%20C). (October 6, 2023)
6. Infinity Galaxy. What is Bitumen? Everything about Bitumen Definition and Types.
https://infinitygalaxy.org/bitumen/# (October 6, 2023)
7. PetroNaft (Petroleum Manufacturer). (June 22, 2023). Choosing the Right Bitumen
Grade: A Comprehensive Guide. https://www.petronaftco.com/right-bitumen-
grade/#:~:text=Premature%20Deterioration%3A%20Using%20an%20incorrect,requi
rements%20and%20shortened%20road%20life. (October 6, 2023)
8. UTPedia, Muhammad Fakhrur Razi bin Ahmad Faizul. (May, 2013). The Physical and
Engineering Properties of 80/100 Bitumen with Carbon Black Additive.
https://utpedia.utp.edu.my/id/eprint/8189/1/Dissertation_FYP_UTP_Fakhrur%20Razi
_12729_Civil%20Engineering.pdf (October 6, 2023)

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1.10 APPENDIX

Appendix 1: Sample of Bitumen inside the brass ring.

Appendix 2: Glass beaker and thermometer (Apparatus).

13
Appendix 3: Brass ring, steel ball and magnetic stirring bar (Apparatus).

Appendix 4: Magnetic Stirrer machine (Apparatus).

14
Appendix 5: Ring-and-ball set-up and process.

Appendix 6: Result of the softening point test.

15