The Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) has been engineered to perform flexural tests on asphalt binder and similar specimens per ASTM D6648-01 and AASHTO T313-02. These tests, initially developed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), consist of a constant force being applied to a specimen in a chilled fluid bath in order to derive specific rates of deformation at various temperatures.
A complete BBR system consists of a fluid bath base unit, a three-point bend test apparatus which is easily removed from the base unit for specimen loading and unloading, an external cooling unit with temperature controller, and a calibration hardware kit with carrying case.
- PID temperature controller with digital display
- Two independent platinum RTDs for precise temperature control
- Mechanical refrigeration system
- External cooling unit with temperature controller
- Provides test temperatures of -40o to 25o C (ethylene glycol mixture)
- Three-point bend test apparatus
- Stainless steel, durable, corrosion-resistant construction
- Calibration hardware kit with carrying case
- Meets ASTM and AASHTO test standards
- Computerised control, data acquisition, and analysis
- Integral LVDT and temperature-compensated 500 gram load cell
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Durable, corrosion-resistant construction
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Includes complete calibration kit with carrying case
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Includes ASTM/AASHTO-compliant specimen moulds
Specification
| Load Frame |
Integral stainless steel frictionless construction |
| Loading Shaft |
In-line stainless steel with blunt point |
| Test Load |
Variable test range from 0 to 200g standard System maintains required test load within ±0.5g throughout the test cycle |
| Test Cycle Times |
Cycle times for pre-load, recovery, and test load are completely operator-adjustable |
| Load Cell |
500g (temperature-compensated) |
| Mechanical Overload Protection |
Standard |
| Test Weights |
Calibrated and traceable to NIST |
| Sample Supports |
25mm (0.98 in.) diameter stainless steel spaced 4.00 in. (101.6mm) apart |
| LVDT Displacement Transducer |
0.25 in. (6.35mm) calibrated range to provide 2um resolution throughout testing and verification range |
| Data Display |
Large on-screen display of load, displacement, and bath temperature provides ease of setup and operation.
Real-time displacement, loading, and temperature graphs are displayed during the test cycle and can be re-plotted and re-scaled as needed for easy viewing |
| Cooling Unit |
Included (non-CFC refrigerant) |
| Recommended Cooling Bath Fluid |
Non-flammable ethylene glycol mixture |
| Operating Temperature |
Ambient to -40°F (-40°C) |
| Temperature Measurement |
Platinum RTD |
| Power Requirements |
230VAC 50Hz |
| Compressed Air Requirements |
50 psi (0.34 MPa) clean, dry air supply required |
| Approximate Shipping Weight |
115kg |
Step Disk and Calibration Gaging Kit
Step Disk
- Prevents movement with detent locking mechanism
- Highest level of accuracy with precision ball bearings allowing precise repeatability by having one point of contact
Calibration Gaging Kit
- 5 step disk
- Four 50g weights, two 2g weights
- Certified confidence beam
- Certified compliance beam
- Carrying case
BBR Software & Reporting Features
- Software package allows for device configuration, daily verifications, test setup, test initiation, and reporting
- All test parameters can be revised according to ASTM/AASHTO standards for easily repeated performance
- Two readings per second
- Pre-load graph results before initial tests (digital)
- The pre-test mode includes continuous contact between the loading shaft, anvils and specimen, and the applying and reapplying of 35mN and 980mN of force
- Data acquisition system records and reports all raw data points, test specimen/setup data, and the test report standard ASCII can be recalled, printed, or imported to other software
- Constant system error checking
- Traceable "Test conditions” section
- Indication of return to original load at the end of the test (daily verification and periodic calibration of the load cell, LVDT, and RTD transducers)
- Includes program that verifies and eliminates device compliance from the specimen displacement measurements
