Rheometer - Bending Beam

The bending beam rheometer (BBR) performs flexural tests on asphalt binder and similar specimens per tests, initially developed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), which 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. The 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. The unit features an integral, stainless steel load frame and in-line, blunt-point loading shaft. The large, easy-to-read digital display shows load, displacement, and bath temperature for 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.

The BBR uses a linear, variable-displacement transducer (LVDT) with a range of 6.35mm and accuracy to ±2mm measures deflection. The temperature-compensating 500g load cell with mechanical overload protection ensures accurate load results. Safe, rapid cooling of the ethylene glycol mixture test fluid to -40° to 25°C is provided by a mechanical refrigeration system. Process temperature is controlled and monitored by two, independent, platinum RTD temperature transducers maintaining temperature stability.

The BBR comes with a pre-loaded software package, which allows for device configuration, daily verifications, test setup, test initiation, and reporting. It also includes five aluminum specimen molds with mylar strips, a Calibration Kit with required weights, and confidence beam. Calibrated test weights and a certified LVDT (NIST-traceable). The easy-to-use software allows daily verification and periodic calibration of load cell, LVDT, and RTD transducers