CE MATERIALS ASPHALT TEST
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Penetration Test ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Drop a needle in 77 F asphalt (which mimics the average
temperature of typical pavement) for 5 seconds. Measure how far down it went to the tenth of a
mm. This test is used to measure the stiffness v softness of the asphalt. The further the needle goes
in the softer it is.
Absolute Viscosity ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Absolute viscosity- fluid's resistance to flow
Absolute - 140 F maximum performance temperature for mixing (aka a hot summer day in the US)
Kinematic Viscosity ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Kinematic viscosity- Absolute viscosity divided by
density (205)
Kinematic - 275 F maximum performance temperature for mixing
Procedure for measuring kinematic viscosity with a rotational viscometer ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-
Get a cylindrical spindle. Spin at 20 rpm. Measure the resistant torque
Appropriate mixing and compaction temperature ranges for asphalt cement ✅✅ CORRECT
ANSW-320-330 F - Temperature range needed for mixing asphalt which is based off the viscosities of
the asphalt cement testing
310 F - Temperature needed for compacting asphalt which is based off the viscosity of asphalt
cement from testing
What does a penetration grade designation such at grade 40-50 represent ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-It
represents how deep the needle went. Which means how stiff/soft the asphalt is. Grade 40-50 is the
stiffest asphalt grade. Higher number softer. Lower number stiffer.
Natural Asphalt ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-. Obtained from asphalt lakes in Trinidad and other
Caribbean areas, these were used in some of the earliest pavements in North American
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Penetration Test ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Drop a needle in 77 F asphalt (which mimics the average
temperature of typical pavement) for 5 seconds. Measure how far down it went to the tenth of a
mm. This test is used to measure the stiffness v softness of the asphalt. The further the needle goes
in the softer it is.
Absolute Viscosity ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Absolute viscosity- fluid's resistance to flow
Absolute - 140 F maximum performance temperature for mixing (aka a hot summer day in the US)
Kinematic Viscosity ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-Kinematic viscosity- Absolute viscosity divided by
density (205)
Kinematic - 275 F maximum performance temperature for mixing
Procedure for measuring kinematic viscosity with a rotational viscometer ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-
Get a cylindrical spindle. Spin at 20 rpm. Measure the resistant torque
Appropriate mixing and compaction temperature ranges for asphalt cement ✅✅ CORRECT
ANSW-320-330 F - Temperature range needed for mixing asphalt which is based off the viscosities of
the asphalt cement testing
310 F - Temperature needed for compacting asphalt which is based off the viscosity of asphalt
cement from testing
What does a penetration grade designation such at grade 40-50 represent ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-It
represents how deep the needle went. Which means how stiff/soft the asphalt is. Grade 40-50 is the
stiffest asphalt grade. Higher number softer. Lower number stiffer.
Natural Asphalt ✅✅ CORRECT ANSW-. Obtained from asphalt lakes in Trinidad and other
Caribbean areas, these were used in some of the earliest pavements in North American
