LAB MANUAL

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

K D K COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

GREAT NAG ROAD, NANDANVAN, NAGPUR - 440009

 TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB
LAB MANUAL

(FOR B. E. PROGRAMME)

Name :
Branch :
Roll No. :
Section :
Batch No. :

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

K D K COLLEGE OF ENGINEEIRNG, NAGPUR

Laboratory Manual for

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING LAB

Compiled by:

Mr. Mahendra Umare

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
KDK College of Engineering,
Nagpur
 INDEX PAGE

Exp. Name of the Experiments Date of Date of Page Checked Grade

No. performance submission No. by

10

11

12

OVERALL GRADE ======➔

 LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1 TO CLASSIFY SUB-GRADE SOIL

2 TO DETERMINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF AN AGGREGATE
3 TO DETERMINE WATER ABSORPTION OF AN AGGREGATE
4 TO DETERMINE FLAKINESS INDEX OF AN AGGREGATE
5 TO DETERMINE ELONGATION INDEX OF AN AGGREGATE
6 TO DETERMINE IMPACT VALUE OF AN AGGREGATE
7 TO DETERMINE CRUSHING VALUE OF AN AGGREGATE
8 TO DETERMINE LOS ANGEL’ABRASION VALUE OF AN AGGRAGATE
9 TO DETERMINE PENETRATION VALUE OF BITUMEN
10 TO DETERMINE SOFTENING POINT VALUE OF BITUMEN
11 TO DETERMINE FLASH AND FIRE POINT OF BITUMEN
12 TO DETERMINE DUCTILITY OF BITUMEN
13 TO DETERMINE VISCOSITY OF TAR & CUTBACK
TO DETERMINE DEVEL’S ABRASSION VALUE OF AN
14
AGGEGATE
15 TO DETERMINE DORRY’S ABRASSION VALUE OF AN AGGREGATE
16 TO STUDY MARSHAL STABILITY TEST ON BITUMEN
17 TO STUDY CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST
18 TO DETERMINE LOCAL SCOUR AROUND BRIDGE PIER
 Part – A
Tests on Aggregate
 EXPERIMENT 2
Aim of the experiment:

To determine the specific gravity of given Bituminous material.

Apparatus required:

(i) Specific gravity bottle,

(ii) Weighing balance
(iii) Distilled water.

Theory and Scope:

In paving jobs, to classify a binder, density property is of great use. In most cases bitumen is
weighed, but when used with aggregates, the bitumen is converted to volume using density
values. The density of bitumen is greatly influenced by its chemical composition. Increase in
aromatic type mineral impurities cause an increase in specific gravity. The specific gravity of
bitumen is defined as the ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen of known content to the
mass of equal volume of water at 27 oC. The specific gravity of bitumen varies from 0.99 to
1.02.
Procedure:

• The clean, dried specific gravity bottle is weighed let that be W1 gm

• Than it is filled with fresh distilled water and then kept in water bath for at
least half an hour at temperature 27 oC±0.1 oC.
• The bottle is then removed and cleaned from outside. The specific
gravitybottle containing distilled water is now weighed. Let this be W2gm.
• Then the specific gravity bottle is emptied and cleaned. The bituminous
material is heated to a pouring temperature and the material is poured half the
bottle; by taking care to prevent entry of air bubbles. Then it is weighed. Let
this be W3 gm.
• The remaining space in specific gravity bottle is filled with distilled water at
27 oC and is weighed. Let this be W4 gm. Then specific gravity of bituminous
material is given by the following formula
(W3 - W1) / [(W2-W1) - (W4-W3)]
• Three tests are conducted and the mean value is reported as specific gravity of
the bitumen.
Observation and Calculation:

Sl No Details of sample No of observations

1 2 3
1 Weight of the empty specific gravity
bottle=W1 gm
2 Weight of the specific gravity bottle
filled with water=W2 gm
3 Weight of the specific gravity bottle
half filled with bitumen=W3 gm
4 Weight of specific gravity bottle
half filled with bitumen &
remaining
part filled with water=W4 gm
5 Specific Gravity

6 Mean Specific Gravity

Result:

The specific gravity of given bituminous binder is .

Discussion:
 EXPERIMENT 3

Aim of the experiment:

To determine the water absorption of coarse aggregates as per IS: 2386 (Part III) - 1963.

APPARATUS
i) Wire basket - perforated, electroplated or plastic coated with wire hangers for suspending
it from the balance
ii) Water-tight container for suspending the basket
iii) Dry soft absorbent cloth - 75cm x 45cm (2 nos.)
iv) Shallow tray of minimum 650 sq.cm area
v) Air-tight container of a capacity similar to the basket
vi) Oven

SAMPLE
A sample not less than 2000g should be used.

PROCEDURE
i) The sample is thoroughly washed to remove finer particles and dust, drained and then it
placed in the wire basket and it is immersed in distilled water at a temperature between 22
and 32oC.
ii) After immersion, the entrapped air is removed by lifting the basket and allowing it to drop
25 times in 25 seconds.
iii) The basket and sample is remained immersed for a period of 24 + ½ hrs after wards.
iv) The basket and aggregates should then be removed from the water, allowed to drain for a
few minutes, after which the aggregates is gently emptied from the basket on to one of the
dry clothes and gently surface-dried with the cloth, transferring it to a second dry cloth
when the first would remove no further moisture.
v) The aggregates is spread on the second cloth and exposed to the atmosphere away from
direct sunlight till it appears to be completely surface-dry.
vi) The aggregates are weighed (Weight 'A').
vii) The aggregates are placed in an oven at a temperature of 100 to 110oC for 24hrs.
viii) It is removed from the oven, cooled and weighed (Weight 'B').

REPORTING OF RESULTS
𝐴−𝐵
Water absorption = × 100%
𝐵
Two such tests should be done and the individual and mean results should be reported.

Sl No Determination No I II III
1 Weight of saturated surface-dried
sample in g (A)
2 Weight of oven dried sample is g (B)
𝐴−𝐵
3 Water absorption = × 100%
𝐵
Average value

CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 4 & 5

Objective: Determine the Flakiness and Elongation index of coarse aggregates.

Apparatus required:
i) Flakiness gauge
ii) Elongation gauge
iii)Tray

Theory: The particle shape of the aggregate mass is determined by the percentage of flaky
and elongated particles in it. Aggregates which are flaky or elongated are detrimental to
higher workability and stability of mixes.

• Shape of crushed aggregates determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated

particles.
• Shape of gravel determined by its angularity number.
• Flaky and elongated aggregate particles tend to break under heavy traffic loads.
• Rounded aggregates preferred in cement concrete pavements as more workability at less
water cement ratio.
• Angular shape preferred for granular courses/flexible pavement layers due to better
interlocking and hence more stability.

• Flakiness Index is the percentage by weight of particles in it, whose least dimension
(Thickness) is less than three-fifths of its mean dimension. The test is not applicable to particles
Smaller than 6.3 mm in size.

• Elongation Index is the percentage by weight of particles in it, whose largest dimension
(Length) is greater than one and four-fifths times its mean dimension. The test is not applicable
to particles smaller than 6.3 mm in size.
Procedure for using Gauge for Flakiness Index:
1. The sample is sieved through IS sieve sizes 63, 50, 40, 31.5, 25, 20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3 mm
2. Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm).
3. Separate the flaky material by using the standard thickness gauge

Flakiness
The amount of flaky material is weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the test sample
If W1, W2… Wi are the total weights of each size of aggregates taken
If x1 x2….Xiare the weights of material passing the different thickness gauges then:

Observation sheet (Flakiness Index):

Passing Retained Wt. Of the Thickness Weight of

through on I.S. fraction gauge size, aggregate in
I.S. Seive, Seive, consisting of at (0.6 times the each
(mm) (mm) least 200 mean sieve) fraction passing
pieces (gm) (mm) thickness gauge
(gms)
25 20 W1 13.5 X1
20 16 W2 10.8 X2
16 12.5 W3 8.55 X3
12.5 10 W4 6.75 X4
10 6.3 W5 4.89 X5
W total= X total=

Flakiness index=x/w*100
 Length Gauge for Elongation Index Thickness Gauge for Flakiness Index

Procedure for using Gauge Elongation index:

1. The sample is sieved through sieve sizes, 50, 40, 25, 20,16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3

2. Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm

3. Separate the elongate material by using the standard length gauge.

Elongation Index
The amount of elongated material is weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the test sample
If W1, W2, …, Wi are the total weights of each size of aggregates taken
If x1,x2, …, Xiare the weights of material retained on different length gauges then
 Passing Retained Wt. Of the Length Weight of
through on I.S. fraction gauge size, aggregate in
I.S. Seive, consisting of (1.8 times each fraction
Seive, (mm (mm) at least 200 the mean retained on
pieces (gm) sieve) (mm) length gauge gms

25 20 W1 40.5 X1
20 16 W2 32.4 X2
16 12.5 W3 25.5 X3
12.5 10 W4 20.2 X4
10 6.3 W5 14.7 X5
Total W= Total X=

Elongation index=X/W*100

Conclusion:
 EXPERIMENT 06

OBJECTIVE
To determine the aggregate impact value of coarse aggregates as per IS: 2386 (Part IV) -
1963.

APPARATUS
i) Impact testing machine conforming to IS: 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
ii) IS Sieves of sizes - 12.5mm, 10mm and 2.36mm
iii) A cylindrical metal measure of 75mm dia. and 50mm depth
iv) A tamping rod of 10mm circular cross section and 230mm length, rounded at one end
v) Oven

AGGREGATE IMPACT TEST MACHINE

PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
i) The test sample is conformed to the following grading: - Passing through 12.5mm IS
Sieve 100% - Retention on 10mm IS Sieve 100%
ii) The sample is oven-dried for 4hrs. at a temperature of 100 to 110oC and cooled.
iii) The measure is about one-third full with the prepared aggregates and tamped with 25
strokes of the tamping rod.
i) A further similar quantity of aggregates is added and a further tamping of 25 strokes
given. The measure is finally to be filled to overflow, tamped 25 times and the surplus
aggregates struck off, using a tamping rod as a straight edge.
ii) The net weight of the aggregates in the measure is determined to the nearest gram (Weight
'A').

PROCEDURE
i) The cup of the impact testing machine is fixed firmly in position on the base of the
machine and the whole of the test sample is placed in it and compacted by 25 strokes of
the tamping rod.
ii) The hammer is raised to 380mm above the upper surface of the aggregates in the cup and
allowed to fall freely onto the aggregates.
iii) The test sample is subjected to a total of 15 such blows, each being delivered at an interval
of not less than one second.
iv) The sample is removed and sieved through a 2.36mm IS Sieve. The fraction passing
through is weighed (Weight 'B').
v) The fraction is retained on the sieve should also be weighed (Weight 'C') and if the total
weight (B+C) is less than the initial weight (A) by more than one gram, the result is
discarded and a fresh test done.
vi) The ratio of the weight of the fines formed to the total sample weight is expressed as a
percentage.
vii) Aggregate impact value is obtained by the relation (B/A) x 100%
viii) Two such tests is carried out and the mean of the results is reported. A sample proforma
for the record of the test results is given in
OBSERVATION

Sl Net weight of The fraction The fraction Aggregate

No Aggregate in the Passing through Retained on Impact value
Measure in gm 2.36 mm IS sieve 2.36 mm IS =
in gm Sieve in gm (B/A)*100%
(A) (B) (C)
1
2
Average value

CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 07

Aim of the Experiment:

To determine crushing strength of a given aggregate

Apparatus Required:
• A steel cylinder of internal diameter 15.2 cm (Steel cylinder with open ends).
• A square base plate, plunger having a piston diameter of 15 cm.
• A cylindrical measure of internal diameter of 11.5 cm and height 18 cm.
• Steel tamping rod having diameter of 1.6 cm length 45 to 60 cm.
• Balance of capacity 3 kg with accuracy up to 1 gm.
• Compression testing machine capable of applying load of 40 tonnes at a
loading rate of 4 tonnes per minute
Theory and Scope:

This is one of the major Mechanical properties required in a road stone. The test evaluates
the ability of the Aggregates used in road construction to withstand the stresses induced by
moving vehicles in the form of crushing. With this the aggregates should also provide
sufficient resistance to crushing under the roller during construction and under rigid tyre
rims of heavily loaded animal drawn vehicles. The crushing strength or aggregate crushing
value of a given road aggregate is found out as per IS-2386 Part- 4.

The aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure of resistance to crushing under a
gradually applied compressive load. To achieve a high quality of pavement aggregate
possessing low aggregate crushing value should be preferred. The aggregate crushing value
of the coarse aggregates used for cement concrete pavement at surface should not exceed
30% and aggregates used for concrete other than for wearing surfaces, shall not exceed
45% as specified by Indian Standard (IS) and Indian Road Congress (IRC).
Procedure:

• The aggregate in surface-dry condition before testing and passing 12.5 mm

sieve and retained on 10 mm sieve is selected.
• The cylindrical measure is filled by the test sample of the aggregate in
three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer being tamped 25
times by the rounded end of the tamping rod.
• After the third layer is tamped, the aggregates at the top of the cylindrical measure
 • are leveled off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge. Then the test sample is weighed.
Let that be W1 gm.
• Then the cylinder of test apparatus is kept on the base plate and one third of
the sample from cylindrical measure is transferred into cylinder and tamped
25 times by rounded end of the tamping rod.
• Similarly aggregate in three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer
being tamped 25 times by rounded end of the tamping rod.
• Then the cylinder with test sample and plunger in position is placed on
compression testing machine.
• Load is then applied through the plunger at a uniform rate of 4 tonnes per
minute until the total load is 40 tonnes and the load is released.
• Aggregates including the crushed position are removed from the cylinder
and sieved on a 2.36mm IS sieve and material which passes this sieve is
collected and weighed. Let this be W2 gm.
• The above step is repeated with second sample of the same aggregate.
• Then the aggregate crushing value is defined as the ratio of weight of fines
passing the specified IS sieve(W2 gm) to the total weight of the sample (W1
gm)
• Two tests are done and the average value to the nearest whole number is
reported as aggregate abrasion value.
Aggregate crushing value= ( W2 / W1)x100

Observation and Calculation:

No of Total weight of dry Weight of fines Aggregate Mean Value

observations aggregate passing through
Crushing Value
sample(w1gm) 2.36 mm IS
Sieve(w2gm) (%)

1
2

Result:
The mean (average) of the crushing value aggregate is %

Discussion:
 EXPERIMENT 08

OBJECTIVE
To determine the abrasion value of coarse aggregates as per IS: 2386 (Part IV) - 1963.

APPARATUS
i) Los Angles abrasion testing machine
ii) IS Sieve of size - 1.7mm
iii) Abrasive charge - 12 nos. cast iron or steel spheres approximately 48mm dia. and each
weighing between 390 and 445g ensuring that the total weight of charge is 5000 + 25g
iv) Oven

LOS ANGLES MACHINE

PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
The test sample should consist of clean aggregates which has been dried in an oven at 105 to
110oC to a substantially constant weight and should conform to one of the gradings shown in
the table below:
 Grading of test samples

Sieve size
(square hole) Weight of g of test sample for grade

A B C D E F G

Passing Retained
Through on
(mm) (mm)
80 63 - - - - 2500* - -
63 50 - - - - 2500* 5000*
50 40 - - - - - 5000* 5000*
40 25 1250 - - - - - 5000*
25 20 1250 - - - - - -
20 12.5 1250 2500 - - - - -
12.5 10 1250 2500 - - - - -
10 6.3 - - 2500 - - - -
6.3 4.75 - - 2500 - - - -
4.75 2.36 - - - 5000 - - -

PROCEDURE
i) The test sample and the abrasive charge is placed in the Los Angles abrasion testing
machine and the machine is rotated at a speed of 20 to 33 revolutions/minute for 1000
revolutions.
 ii) At the completion of the test, the material is discharged and sieved through 1.70mm IS
Sieve.
iii) The material coarser than 1.70mm IS Sieve is washed dried in an oven at a temperature of
100 to 110oC to a constant weight and weighed (Weight 'B').
iv) The proportion of loss between weight 'A' and weight 'B' of the test sample is expressed as
a percentage of the original weight of the test sample. This value is reported as,
𝐴−𝐵
Abrasion value = × 100%
𝐴
OBSERVATION AND TABULATION

Sl Sample Sample Weight of No of Weight of sample Abrasion value =

No passing retained Sample charges retained on 1.7 mm IS 𝐴−𝐵
× 100%
Through on IS sieve taken sieve after test in gm 𝐴
IS sieve in In gm
In mm mm
(A) (B)

Average value
CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 09

OBJECTIVE
To determine the penetration of bitumen as per IS: 1203 - 1978.

THEORY
The penetration of a bituminous material is the distance in tenths of a mm, that a standard
needle would penetrate vertically, into a sample of the material under standard conditions of
temperature load and time.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
i) Penetrometer
ii) Water bath
iii) Bath thermometer - Range 0 to 44oC, Graduation 0.2oC

PENETROMETER
SAMPLE
Bitumen should be just sufficient to fill the container to a depth of at least 15mm in excess of
the expected penetration.

PROCEDURE
i) The bitumen above the softening point (between 75 and 100oC) is softened. It is stirred
thoroughly to remove air bubbles and water.
ii) It is poured into a container to a depth of at least 15mm in excess of the expected
penetration.
iii) It is cooled at an atmospheric temperature of 15 to 30oC for 2 1 hrs. Then it is placed in a
transfer dish in the water bath at 25.0 + 0.1oC for 2 1
iv) The container is kept on the stand of the penetration apparatus.
v) The needle is adjusted to make contact with the surface of the sample.
vi) The dial reading is adjusted to zero. Is adjusted.
vii) With the help of the timer, the needle is released for exactly 5 seconds.
viii) The dial reading is recorded.
ix) The above procedure is repeated for thrice.

OBSERVATION

CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 10

OBJECTIVE
To determine the softening point of asphaltic bitumen and fluxed native asphalt, road tar, coal
tar pitch and blown type bitumen as per IS: 1205 - 1978.

APPARATUS
i) Ring and ball apparatus
ii) Thermometer - Low Range : -2 to 80oC, Graduation 0.2oC
High Range : 30 to 200oC, Graduation 0.5oC

RING AND BALL APPARATUS

THEORY
It is the temperature at which the substance attains a particular degree of softening under
specified condition of the test.
PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
i) The sample is just sufficient to fill the ring. The excess sample is cut off by a knife.
ii) The material is heated between 75 and 100oC. Stir it to remove air bubbles and water, and
filter it through IS Sieve 30, if necessary.
iii) The rings are heated and glycerin is applied. The material is filled in it and is cooled it for
30 minutes.
iv) The excess material is removed with the help of a warmed, sharp knife.

PROCEDURE
A) Materials of softening point below 80oC:
i) The apparatus is assembled with the rings, thermometer and ball guides in position.
ii) The beaker is filled with boiled distilled water at a temperature 5.0 ± 0.5oC per minute.
iii) With the help of a stirrer, stir the liquid and heat is applied to the beaker at a temperature
of 5.0 ± 0.5oC per minute.
iv) The heat is applied until the material softens and the ball is allowed to pass through the
ring.
v) The temperature is recorded at which the ball touches the bottom, which is nothing but the
softening point of that material.

B) Materials of softening point above 80oC:

i) The procedure is the same as described above. The only difference is that instead of water,
glycerine is used and the starting temperature of the test is 35oC.

OBSERVATION

CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 11

OBJECTIVE
To determine the flash point and the fire point of asphaltic bitumen and fluxed native asphalt,
cutback bitumen and blown type bitumen as per IS: 1209 - 1978.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

A) Pensky-Martens apparatus
B) Thermometer- Low Range : -7 to 110oC, Graduation 0.5oC
High Range : 90 to 370oC, Graduation 2oC

THEORY
Flash Point - The flash point of a material is the lowest temperature at which the application
of test flame causes the vapors from the material to momentarily catch fire in the form of a
flash under specified conditions of the test.

Fire Point - The fire point is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame
causes the material to ignite and burn at least for 5 seconds under specified conditions of the
test.

PENSKY - MARTENS APPARATUS

PROCEDURE
A) FLASH POINT
i) The bitumen is softened between 75 and 100oC. It is stirred thoroughly to removed air
bubbles and water.
ii) The cup is filled with the material to be tested up to the filling mark. It is placed on the
bath. The open clip is fixed thermometer is inserted of high or low range as per
requirement and also the stirrer, to stir it.
iii) The test flame is lighted, and it is adjusted.
i) The heat is supplied at such a rate that the temperature is increased; the thermometer is
recorded neither less than 5oC nor more than 6oC per minute.
ii) Open flash point is taken as that temperature when a flash first appears at any point on the
surface of the material in the cup.
iii) Care is taken so that the bluish halo that sometimes surrounds the test flame is not
confused with the true flash. Discontinue the stirring during the application of the test
flame.
iv) Flash point is taken as the temperature read on the thermometer at the time the flash
occurs.

B) FIRE POINT
i) After flash point, heating is continued at such a rate that the increase in temperature is
recorded by the thermometer is neither less than 5oC nor more than 6oC per minute.
ii) The test flame is lighted and adjusted so that it is of the size of a bead 4mm in dia.

OBSERVATION

CONCLUSION
 EXPERIMENT 12

OBJECTIVE
To determine the ductility of distillation residue of cutback bitumen, blown type bitumen and
other bituminous products as per IS: 1208 - 1978.

THEORY
The ductility of a bituminous material is measured by the distance in cm to which it will
elongate before breaking when a standard briquette specimen of the material is pulled apart at
a specified speed and a specified temperature.

APPARATUS
i) Standard mould
ii) Water bath
iii) Testing machine
iv) Thermometer - Range 0 to 44oC, Graduation 0.2oC

TESTING MACHINE
PROCEDURE
i) The bituminous material is tested is completely melt by heating it to a temperature of 75
to 100oC above the approximate softening point until it becomes thoroughly fluid.
ii) The mould is assembled on a brass plate and in order the material is prevented under test
from sticking, thoroughly coat the surface of the plate and the interior surfaces of the sides
of the mould with a mixture of equal parts of glycerine and dextrin.
iii) While filling, the material is poured in a thin stream back and forth from end to end of the
mould until it is more than level full. It is leaved to cool at room temperature for 30 to 40
minutes and then it is placed in a water bath maintained at the specified temperature for 30
minutes, after which cut off the excess bitumen by means of a hot, straight-edged putty
knife or spatula, so that the mould is just level full.
iv) The brass plate and mould is placed with briquette specimen in the water bath and it is
kept at the specified temperature for about 85 to 95 minutes. The briquette is removed
from the plate; detach the side pieces and the briquette immediately.
v) The rings are attached at each end of the two clips to the pins or hooks in the testing
machine and the two clips are pulled apart horizontally at a uniform speed, as specified,
until the briquette ruptures.
vi) The distance is measured in cm through which the clips have been pulled to produce
rupture.
vii) While the test is being done, the specimen both above and below by at least 25mm is
covered with water in the tank of the testing machine and the temperature is maintained
continuously within ± 0.5oC of the specified temperature.

OBSERVATION

CONCLUSION
 VISCOSITY TEST OF BITUMINOUS MATERIAL

Aim of the Experiment:

To determine the viscosity of a given bituminous binder.

Apparatus required:
(i) A orifice viscometer (one of 4.0mm diameter used to test cut back grades 0
and 1 and 10 mm orifice to test all other grades),
(ii) water bath,
(iii) Stirrer
(iv) Thermo meter.

Theory and Scope:

Viscosity denotes the fluid property of bituminous material and it is a measure of resistance
to flow. At the application temperature, this characteristic greatly influences the strength of
resulting paving mixes. Low or high viscosity during compaction or mixing has been
observed to result in lower stability values. At high viscosity, it resists the compactive effort
and thereby resulting mix is heterogeneous, hence low stability values. And at low viscosity
instead of providing a uniform film over aggregates, it will lubricate the aggregate particles.
Orifice type viscometers are used to indirectly find the viscosity of liquid binders like
cutbacks and emulsions. The viscosity expressed in seconds is the time taken by the 50 ml
bitumen material to pass through the orifice of a cup, under standard test conditions and
specified temperature. Viscosity of a cutback can be measured with either 4.0 mm orifice at
25 oC or 10 mm orifice at 25 0C or 40 oC.

Procedure:
• Adjust the tar viscometer so that the top of the tar cup is leveled.
• Select the test temperature. Heat the water in water bath to the temperature specified
for the test and maintains it within ±0.10C of the specified temperature throughout the
duration of test. Rotate the stirrer gently at frequent intervals or perfectly continuously
• Clean the tar cup orifice of the viscometer with a suitable solvent and dry thoroughly
• Warm and stir the material under examination to 20 0C above the temperature
specified for test and cool, while continuing the stirring. When the temperature falls
slightly above the specified temperature, pour the tar into the cup until the leveling
peg on the valve rod is just immersed when the latter is vertical.
 • Pour into the graduated receiver 20 ml of mineral oil, or one percent by weight solution of soft
soap, and place it under the orifice of the tar cup.
• Place the other thermometer in the tar and stir until the temperature is within ±0.1 0C of the
specified temperature. When this temperature has been reached, suspend the thermo meter
coaxially with the cup and with its bulb approximately at the geometric center of the tar.
• Allow the assembled apparatus to stand for five minutes during which period the thermometer
reading should remain within 0.05 0C of the specified temperature.
• Remove the thermometer and quickly remove any excess of tar so that the final level ison the
central line of the leveling peg when the valve is in vertical position.
• Lift the valve and suspend it on valve support
• Start the stop watch when the reading in the cylinder is 25 ml and stop it when it is 75 ml. note
the time in seconds
• Report the viscosity as the time taken in seconds by 50 ml of tar to flow out at the temperature
specified for the test.
• Three tests are conducted and mean of the three observations recorded as viscosity of
bituminous material.

Observations and Calculations

Sl No Details of sample No of observation
1 2 3
1 Test Temperature

2 Time taken to flow 50cc of the

binder

3 Viscocity (sec)

4 Mean Viscocity

Results:

The Viscosity value of given bitumen sample is sec

Discussion: