Viscosity of Bituminous Materials –

Measurements and Factors

Introduction to Viscosity and Rheology of Bituminous Materials
The resistance of a liquid in flowing is defined as the viscosity of that fluid.
Under the action of force, the fluid reflects higher resistance when the
viscosity is high. The two factors that define the viscosity of bitumen are:

 Chemical Composition of Bitumen

 Structure of Bitumen

The bitumen is a composition of two factors (Structure of Bitumen) asphaltenes

miscelles and maltenes. In bitumen sol, the asphaltenes miscelles are
dispersed in maltenes continuum. As the asphaltenes content reduces, the
viscosity of bitumen also decreases. Aggregation is the factor that governs
the viscosity of gel type bitumen. Gel type bitumen have a higher viscosity.
Bitumen Structure Influence on Viscosity
Bitumen consist of resins, aromatics and some form of saturated oil after
their manufacture. The asphaltenes dispersion is controlled by the above
mentioned elements in bitumen.

The aromatics in sufficient quantity provide a layer around the Asphaltenes.

This layer is stable and promotes dispersion. If it’s not sufficient the micelles
will join as shown in figure-1.

Fig.1. Sol Type Bitumen Schematic Diagram

 Fig.2.Schematic Diagram of Gel type bitumen
Now the saturated oil quantity will affect the maltenes continuum. This has a
low viscosity and low molecular weight. The increase in saturated oil
quantity would bring the viscosity down, but it increases the aggregation of
asphaltenes with aggregates, making the structure gel type.

This on other hand makes the aggregation of asphaltenes miscelles, causing

viscosity decrease. So, two opposing factors are said to exist. These effects
are depended on the aromatic stabilization.

The influence of asphaltenes on viscosity of bitumen can be summarized as:

 The viscosity increases with increase in asphaltenes quantity
 The change in viscosity is governed by the asphaltenes particles
 The asphaltenes have aggregation tendency. Greater the aggregation, greater is
the viscosity.

Measurement of Viscosity of Bitumen

The viscosity can be defined as the ratio of shear stress applied to the rate
of shear strain. It is measured in Pascal Seconds. The dynamic viscosity can
also be calculated in terms of kinematic viscosity in units m2/s or mm2/s.
1 mm2/s = 1 cSt (Centistoke)
Based on absolute or kinematic viscosity requirement, the bitumen viscosity
can be measured by a variety of devices. The specifications kept for
 measurement is the absolute viscosity at 60 degree Celsius and a Kinematic
viscosity at 135 degree Celsius.

The vacuum capillary tube viscometer is used to find absolute

viscosity. Atmospheric capillary tube viscometer is employed to measure the
kinematic viscosity.
The displacement happening on a thin layer of bitumen can be determined
with the help of a sliding plate test. The force in the layer is also calculated.
The arrangement involves keeping the bitumen layer between metal plates
for different combinations of loading time and temperature.
The resistance of force is represented by ‘F’, which is dependent on the:
 Area of the surfaces – A
 Distance between the surfaces – d
 Relative speed of movement of one plate with respect to other -V

Which gives,

The coefficient of viscosity is represented by ?. This is also called the

absolute viscosity. And it is given by,

Now, the most practical means to measure the viscosity of bitumen is with
the help of rotational viscometer test (ASTM D4402 -02). The Brookfield and
Thermocel rotational viscometer let the measurement of bitumen viscosity at
varying temperatures.
Influence of Temperature on The Viscosity of Bitumen
Bitumen tend to soften, when subjected to a temperature rise and will
harden when the temperature falls. Bases on different varieties of bitumen,
the viscosity changes with temperature also differs.

It is very essential to understand the viscosity variations of the bitumen

used in the construction process, with the temperature. This factor is also a
governing factor that assures the exposure of bitumen to open environment.
The bitumen used for an area having high temperature is not the same that
is used in lower temperature areas (cold regions). The serviceability,
durability and maintenance factor is dependent primarily on viscosity
property of bitumen type used.

The change in viscosity of bitumen with temperature is represented by the

value of temperature susceptibility of bitumen. It is determined by the
penetration value, P and softening Point temperature, T.
The empirical relation can be given as:

log P = AT +k
‘A’ is designated for temperature susceptibility of the logarithm of
penetration value. The value of A varies from 0.0015 to 0.06. This variation
itself shows, there would be variation in the response of bitumen with
temperature. ‘k’ is a constant.

From the above expression, a relation has been developed by Pfeiffer and
Van Doormaal,1936. This new relation relates A to an index named
as penetration index, PI.
The relation tells that for road bitumen, the penetration index value PI =0;

It has been observed that most of the bitumen have a penetration of about
800, at their softening point temperature. Thus, the PI can be evaluated, if
the penetration at 25 degree Celsius and softening point temperature are
known.

Hence, Penetration Index of bitumen can be calculated

The figure below shows the Nomograph to prove the validity of above stated
expression by Pfeiffer and Van Doormaal,1936.
 Fig.3. Nomograph to evaluated the penetration Index of bitumen, with the known
values of softening point temperature and penetration value at 25 degrees.
Penetration Index for Bitumen
A quantitative measure of the response of the bitumen material to a given
temperature is represented by Penetration Index Value (PI). The PI index for
bitumen that is used for roads have a value ranging from -2 to +2.

When the PI index is low, the bitumen behaves like Newtonian fluids, that
they become very brittle at lower temperatures.

When the bitumen has a higher value of Penetration Index, resistance to

permanent deformation is improved.

PI increases with the increase of asphaltenes (at the expense of aromatics).

So, the penetration index is affected by the bitumen chemical composition to
a larger extent. The figure below shows the variation of penetration index
with each chemical fraction of bitumen.
 Fig.4: Graph showing variation of penetration index with respect to chemical
composition as per Lubbers, 1985
The behavior of bitumen after application in the construction can be
predicted with the help of PI. High penetration value asphalt binders are
called as “soft”. These are used in areas of cold climate. Low penetration
numbers are called “hard”, which are employed in hot climates.