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Specific Gravity of Bitumen

This document describes a procedure to determine the specific gravity of bituminous material using two methods: 1) the pycnometer method, and 2) the balance method. The pycnometer method involves weighing an empty specific gravity bottle, then weighing it filled with water and again filled with the bituminous material and water. The specific gravity is calculated using the weight measurements. The procedure is used to characterize the density of bitumen, which influences its classification and conversion between weight and volume for use in paving applications.

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Het Nandani
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170 views2 pages

Specific Gravity of Bitumen

This document describes a procedure to determine the specific gravity of bituminous material using two methods: 1) the pycnometer method, and 2) the balance method. The pycnometer method involves weighing an empty specific gravity bottle, then weighing it filled with water and again filled with the bituminous material and water. The specific gravity is calculated using the weight measurements. The procedure is used to characterize the density of bitumen, which influences its classification and conversion between weight and volume for use in paving applications.

Uploaded by

Het Nandani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Aim: To determine the Specific gravity of given Bituminous material.

Apparatus:

There are two methods.

1) Pycnometer Method,

2) Balance Method.

Pycnometer Method:

Specific gravity Bottle, Balance and Distilled water.

Theory –

The density of a bitumen binder is a fundamental property frequently used as an aid in classifying
the binders for use in paving jobs. In most applications, the bitumen is weighed, but finally in use
with aggregate system, the bitumen content is converted on volume basis. Thus an accurate density
value is required for conversion of weight to volume. The specific gravity is greatly influenced by the
chemical composition of binder. Increased amount of aromatic type compounds cause an increase in
the specific gravity. The specific gravity is defined by ISI as the ratio of the mass of a given volume of
the bituminous material to the mass of an equal volume of water, the temperature of both being
specified at 27°C±0.1°C. The code of practice used to determine the specific gravity is IS: 1202

Procedure:

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

> Then it is filled with fresh distilled water and then kept in water bath for at least half an hour at
temperature 27°C±0.1°C.

> The bottle is then removed and cleaned from outside. The specific gravity bottle 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 W3gm.

> The remaining space in specific gravity bottle is filled with distilled water at 27°C and is weighed.
Let this be W4gm. Then specific gravity of bituminous material is given by formula.

Specific gravity = (W1 –W2) / (W1- W2) – (W3 – W4)


Result …………………

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