YOUNG SCIENTIST 2017

Evaluation of bitumen binders properties

Ing. Michal Holý, doc. Ing. Eva Remišová, PhD.

University of Žilina
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Highway Engineering
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

Bitumen binders in the medium to high temperature range behave partly as viscoelastic materials. The influence
of external forces occurs partly a reversible deformation (elastic component) and partly a permanent irreversible
strain (viscous component). The basic tests as penetration and softening point are dedicated to evaluate and
classify unmodified bitumen. With the increased use of bitumen modifications such as polymers, the
fundamental approach is required regarding the performance-based tests. The main theme of the requirements for
bitumen binders’ properties is evaluation of properties from the pavement performance point of view as
permanent deformation, fatigue and frost cracking. The evaluation of changes of bitumen properties during the
production and paving process of bituminous mixture is also important. The paper points out how the
“traditional” tests as softening point and penetration and viscosity are sufficient to evaluate properties of bitumen
binders. Tests were made on the modified and unmodified bitumen binders.

Key words: bitumen binder, viscosity, softening point, penetration

1 Introduction

Nowadays the asphalt roads are widely used roads pavement in the world. The main reason of
the considerable expansion is relatively low cost production, simple and economical
technological process of construction. One of the basic conditions of the construction quality
of construction work is the selection of suitable types of materials (aggregate, filler and
bitumen), their quality and strict fulfilmen to technological conditions during the actual
construction [8]. Quality assurance of bituminous binders with "traditional" respectively
"verified" tests such as softening point, penetration, and the breaking point. Appears at
present to be insufficient. Therefore, new methods of testing are introduced, where the main
aim of the requirements for binder is the assessment of properties with respect to permanent
deformation, fatigue and frost crackings, the properties during the production and laying of
asphalt mixture and viscosity – temperature characterization [1, 2, 3].

Bitumen as well as asphalt mixtures are exposed to traffic load in different weather conditions
(high temperatures in summer, cold temperatures in winter), and effects of de-icing agents in

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winter. The bituminous binder is expected to ensure the resistance of the asphalt mixtures to
permanent deformation (elasto-plastic properties, stiffness) during the high temperature, and
the during low temperature to prevent frost cracking by it´s sufficiently plasticity (binder
cohesion and a tensile strength at low temperatures).

Bitumens are colloidal systems comprising two different groups of colloidal dispersed
particles. The first part consists of asphaltenes and resins as the dispersed phase, which
consisting mainly from polar compounds. The second part of the colloidal system of bitumen
consist from maltenes - oily phase of bitumen. [4]. Bitumen properties are related to colloidal
structure, and chemical composition.

Basic tests such as penetration and softening point were developed to assess and classify
unmodified bitumen. The increased using of bitumen modification especially with polymers
and other additives, the empirical approach is replaced by defining the performance-based
requirements for binder properties [5]. Deformation behaviour of the material under defined
geometric, temperature and speed conditions is determined using the rotational and oscillatory
measurement systems.

2 Viscosity as the property of bitumen

Bitumen are thermoplastic, viscoelastic materials, which behavior depends on temperature,

speed and size of the load. Viscoelastic character means that by impact of external forces
partially elastic deformation occurs (elastic component) and partially plastic strain occurs
(viscosity component). At low temperatures, respectively, at high frequencies of load (fast
passing cars), the bitumen behave as an elastic and solid material. The elastic unit is deformed
under load and after reducing the load, it is returned to the original shape. This behavior,
however, lasts continues as long as exceeding the limits of bearing capacity and materials
damage, it means the bitumen binders crack. At high temperatures, respectively, during long-
term loading (parking vehicles), the bitumen behaves as a viscous material [5]. In theoretical
investigation of the dependence of fluid motion a fictitious or-perfect fluid is often used. This
term means incompressible liquid, which is not affected by temperature changes and it has a
zero viscosity (it is completely liquid). Liquids in common practice are called - real fluids.
They are compressible, have a certain non-zero viscosity and their volume dependents on the
viscosity. In contrast with the ideal fluid, real fluids have an internal friction, which is created
by the tangential forces between adjacent particles of fluid during movement. Layers of liquid
are moving at different speeds and so there is created a velocity gradient, causing shear stress.
Most real fluids apply Newton's law of internal friction (for inner friction) where shear stress
 in the liquid is proportional to the velocity gradient. This law is defined as:
∂u
τ =−μ (1)
∂n

where µ - the coefficient of dynamic viscosity Pa.s. In hydraulic system coefficient of

kinematic viscosity ν is often used. It is defined as the ratio of the coefficient of dynamic
viscosity μ and density ρ:

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μ
ν= (2)
ρ
Viscosity is a parameter in rheology and it is divided according to the type of load to shear
viscosity and elongated viscosity. At a shear load, the velocity gradient is perpendicular to the
direction of flow, at elongation load the velocity gradient is in the flow direction. According
to the method of viscosity measurement, the viscosity can be divided into a dynamic and
kinematic while both viscosities are interdependent. [6]

The viscosity of the liquid is subjected to shear between two parallel plates Figure 1, which
one of them moves with respect to another in the plane with uniform linear movement. It is
defined by Newton's equations:
¿
τ =η .γ (3)

where:  - shear stressPa,  - dynamic viscosity Pa.s, γ –velocity gradient or speed of shear
strain s-1, which is given by:
du
(4)
dx
where: u - speed of one plane move with respect to the second plane and x - coordinate which
is perpendicular to these planes. The unit of viscosity resulting from Newton's law is Pa.s and
multiple unit mPa.s.

Figure 1: Velocity distribution of a flow in fluid – two plate model [6]

Kinematic viscosity, describes a substance's flow behavior under the influence of Earth's
gravity. It is dynamic viscosity divided by density. Polymeric systems with relatively high
viscosity, however, in their flow properties usually do not behave according a simple
Newton's law. That means, they have behave as non-Newtonian fluids. Dependence tension to
the shear strain rate is not linear and usually is expressed as:
n
τ =η .γ (5)
¿
η=K . γ n−1 (6)

where: K – coefficient of proportionality (consistency), n –degree of deflection of flow curve

γ = f() from ideal Newton course, 0 – shear stress (flow limit), at which permanent (plastic)
deformation occur.
As mentioned in the introduction, current requirements for determine the properties of
bitumen and asphalt and using only "traditional" tests and procedures to verify quality and
properties of asphalt and bituminous binders is insufficient.

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To define more precisely the behavior of bitumen and bituminous binders it is necessary to
find new ways of dependence and way of assessing the properties. Asphalt binders have
behavior as elastic and viscous material, it is necessary to describe the behavior of the
temperature-dependent. One of solutions of characteristic description could be the use of the
viscosity of the bitumen binder. Dynamic viscosity of the bitumen binder is a part of
qualitative parameters assessment of bituminous binders and therefore it was chosen for
experimental measurements.

3 Methodology of measurement

Presented article is focused on viscosity-temperature characterisation of bitumen binders and

on dependence between the viscosity and “traditional” tests as penetration and softening
point. Within laboratory measurements there were studied the properties of binders for the
production of asphalt mixes for asphalt pavement construction, paving grade bitumen 50/70
and 35/50, and polymer modified bitumen PmB 60/80-90 and PmB 25/55-60. The following
tests were performed:
 penetration at 25 C determined according STN EN 1426 [7]. Penetration is the
expression of the binder stiffness under test conditions (temperature, load and time).
 softening point determined according STN EN 1427 [8]. It is expression bitumen
property at higher temperatures.
 dynamic viscosity at temperature 120, 130, 135, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180C,
determined in accordance with STN EN 13302 using the equipment with the rotating spindle.
The shear rate affects the test sample at the selected angular speed of spindle and it defines the
resistance of spindle to rotation. Standard STN EN 13302 (Bitumen and bituminous binders -
Determination of dynamic viscosity of bituminous binder using a rotating spindle apparatus)
[9] defined the spindle viscometer as measuring device. Therefore, experimental
measurements of dynamic viscosity of selected bitumen were realized by Brookfield
viscometer – model DV-II+PRO with cylindrical spindle. This rotating spindle viscometer
covers a range of shear rates in the range of 1 to 10 4  s-1 and dynamic viscosity in the range of
10-2 to 106  Pa.s (temperature from 40 °C to 200 °C). For obtain representative results of
bituminous binders the viscosity must always be measured at various test temperatures.
Typical temperatures for the unmodified or polymer modified asphalt binders are in the range
of 90 to 180 C. For the calculation we use the following relations:
 shear rate at s-1
SR=RPM . SRC (7)
 shear stress at N.cm 2

SS=TK . SMC .SRC .Torque (8)

 viscosity
100
cp= . SMC . TK .Torque (9)
RPM
where: TK is viscometer torque constant (for model RVDV-II+, TK = 1), RPM is current
viscometer spindle speed, SMC is current spindle multiplier constant (for torque of model
SC4-27, SMC=25), SRC current spindle shear rate constant (for model SC4-27, SRC = 0,34),
Torque is current viscometer torque (%) expressed as a number between 0 and 100.

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4 Results and analysis

The values from measurements of softening point and penetration of tested bitumen binders
are presented in Table 1. Purposely different types and kinds of bitumen binders (paving
grade bitumen and polymer modified bitumen) were chosen with the aim to monitor
differences between bitumen. From Table 1 it is clear that paving grade bitumen have lower
softening point and lower (negative) values of penetration index in compared with modified
bitumen. In the following steps, the relationship between viscosity and softening point and
penetration for particular bitumen was studied. If the relationship exists, it is important how
greatly the softening point and penetration (penetration index) influence the dynamic
viscosity of bitumen binders.
Penetration index was calculated by:
20 . T G +500 . log P−1952
PI = (10)
T G−50 . log P+120

where: TG is softening point at C and P is penetration at 25 C

Table 1: Average results obtained from bitumen tests [10,11,12]

Bitumen binder
Property 35/50 50/70 PmB 25/55-60 PmB 60/80-90
Softening point C 51,6 47,4 62 89
Penetration 0,1.mm 48,4 59,8 33,3 71,7
Penetration index - -0,92 -0,79 0,46 6,50

Figure 2 represents dependence of dynamic viscosity of bitumen binders (used binders form
Table 1) on temperature (temperature in range of 120 to 190 °C).

1E+05

1E+04
Viscosity in mPa.s

1E+03

1E+02
35/50 50/70
PmB 25/55-60 PmB 60/80-90
1E+01
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
Temperature, in oC

Figure 2: Viscosity of tested bitumen binders [9,10,11]

For set constant of viscometer torque (TK) and constants of spindle (spindle multiplier
constant SMC and spindle shear rate constant SRC) was determined a shear speed s-1, and
dynamic viscosity mPa.s, at a defined temperature and speed of spindle (chapter 3). The

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results confirm known dependence that viscosity of all tested binders decreases with
increasing temperature and modified bitumen have higher values of viscosity than unmodified
bitumen. Significant decrease of viscosity of polymer modified bitumen was recorded at the
temperature change between 130 oC and 140 oC. For paving grade bitumen it can be reported
that decrease of viscosity is linear without significant decreases There was documented the
effect that development of viscosity curves of unmodified and modified bitumen is parallel
from temperature 140 oC so the dependences have uniform decreasing tendency. Shift in
values of viscosity of tested modified bitumen, which is almost constant may be due to
specific type modifier, which was used in bitumen production. Paving grade bitumen have
values of viscosity from temperature 160 °C almost identical, polymer modified bitumen is
more significant.

f(x)= =1E+01
R² 0.2
0.18
0.15
0.17
820.65 x^0.51
R² = 0.16
Viscosity, in mPa.s

130oC Power (130oC)

1E+00
20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Softening point, in oC

Figure 3: The viscosity of tested bituminous binders at different temperatures, depending on

the softening point
f(x)= =1E+01
R² 0.29
0.28
0.27
0.24
− 31.24 x² + 784.82 x − 424.32
R² = 0.23
Viscosity, in mPa.s

130oC Polynomial (130oC)

1E+00
20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Penetration

Figure 4: The viscosity of tested bituminous binders at different temperatures, depending on

the penetration

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1E+04

f(x) = 407.28 x + 379.85

Viscosity, in mPa.s
R²
R² == 0.16
0.22
1E+03
R² = 0.24
R² = 0.24
R² = 0.25
1E+02 R²
R² == 0.26
0.2

130oC Power (130oC)

1E+01
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Penetration index, -

Figure 5: The viscosity of bituminous binders studied at different temperatures, depending on

the penetration index
Figure 3, 4, 5 shows dependences of viscosity on softening point, penetration and penetration
index. These dependences are expressed by tendency (regression) curves. Relation between
viscosity and softening point is expressed by exponential function (y = A.xB), viscosity and
penetration by polynomial function (y = Ax2+Bx+C) and relation of viscosity on penetration
index is expressed by linear function (y = Ax +B).
Regression dependence of viscosity and softening point in the Figure 3 (exponential) shows
high values of determination coefficient R2. Values of reliability in relation between viscosity
and softening point are in range from 0,82 (at temperature of viscosity 150 C) to value 0,85
(at temperature 180 C), what means correlation in range of 0,88 to 0,92. These values of
correlation give assumption that between viscosity and softening point some dependence
exist. Relation between viscosity and penetration occurs different situation. Regression
dependence of viscosity and penetration in Figure 4 (polynomial) shows very low values of
determination coefficient R2 (from 0,04 to 0,14), what means correlation in range of 0,2 to
0,37. From this values is possible to state that dependence of viscosity on penetration is very
small respectively none. Next, the dependence between viscosity and penetration index
(including softening point and penetration) was analyzed. Regression dependence of viscosity
on penetration index was in this case a linear with coefficient of determination in range of
0,67 to 0,71, what means correlation in range of 0,82 to 0,84. The results indicate that high
values of correlation in dependence between viscosity and penetration index were reached,
and that theory that some dependence exist between viscosity and softening point was
confirmed, because penetration index includes the parameter softening point.

5 Conclusion

Bitumen binders´ behaviour as visco-elastic materials depends on temperature, speed and size
of load. One of the parameters characterising this behaviour is viscosity. Within the frame of
laboratory measuring, the dynamic viscosity of selected bitumen binders (unmodified and
modified) was monitored at test temperature in the range 120 oC to 180 oC using Brookfield
viscometer. The results show that viscosity of all tested binders decreases with increasing
temperature. Significant decrease of viscosity of polymer modified bitumen was recorded at
the temperature change between 130 oC and 140 oC. Modified bitumen have higher values of

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viscosity than unmodified bitumen (35/50, 50/70). There was documented the effect that
development of viscosity curves of unmodified and modified bitumen is parallel from
temperature 140 oC so the dependences have uniform decreasing tendency.
The results also indicate relation between viscosity and softening point, respectively
penetration index of binders. While a certain dependency on softening point and penetration
index can be declared, the dependency between viscosity and penetration is very small
respectively none. The values of reliability coefficient, as a measure of model validity, of
functions of viscosity and penetration index were in range from 0,65 to 0,71 (at temperature
from 130 to 180 oC) and functions of viscosity and softening point in range from 0,81 to 0,85.
Higher values of reliability coefficient of regression give assumption for next research.

Acknowledgment
The research is supported by the project VEGA 1/0300/17 Research of performance related
and rheological properties of bituminous binders.

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