Thin Layer Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (TLC-FID) using IATROSCAN MK-6 is an automated technique for polarity-based fractionation of bitumen. The method separates bitumen into four fractions based on polarity, namely saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes on a chromarod, and quantifies the proportions of SARA fractions using flame ionization detection based on carbon content upon combustion in a hydrogen flame.

The Dynamic Shear Rheometer MCR 302 is used to characterize the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic response of bituminous binders, emulsion residues, and mastics. The equipment includes different measurement geometries, such as Parallel Plate, Cone and Plate, and Couette, that facilitate conducting both time-domain and frequency-domain testing over a wide range of temperatures.

The MCR 702 TwinDrive Rheometer, connected with Solid Rectangular Fixtures (SRF) and solid circular fixtures, is used to conduct torsional experiments on bituminous mortar and bituminous mixtures. It enables controlled application of shear loading under varying temperature and frequency conditions to characterize the viscoelastic response of materials.

The MCR 702 TwinDrive Rheometer, configured with a ball-on-three-plate setup, is used for tribology testing of bituminous binders. It enables the measurement of the coefficient of friction and Stribeck curves under defined normal force, temperature, and sliding velocity to evaluate the friction and lubrication characteristics of the material.

PR170/XL is a high-pressure accessory connected to the MCR 702 TwinDrive Rheometer. It is equipped with sapphire bearings and enables testing at temperatures up to 170 °C and pressures up to 170 bar using a concentric-cylinder measuring geometry. It is used to evaluate the pressure-dependent viscoelastic and flow characteristics of bituminous binders.

The Contact Angle Meter enables measurements of the static contact angle of a liquid droplet on a solid substrate from images captured at different time intervals. Contact angles are used to calculate the surface tension of bitumen and the surface free energies of aggregate.

Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO): The RTFO consists of a temperature-controlled convection oven equipped with an airflow system, a rotating carriage, and glass sample bottles. RTFO is used to simulate short-term aging of bituminous binders during mixing and compaction by exposing thin binder films in rotating bottles to elevated temperature (163 °C) and air flow for 85 min. Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV): The PAV comprises a pressure vessel in which short-term-aged samples are subjected to controlled pressure and elevated temperature to accelerate oxidative aging of bitumen. RTFO-aged samples are exposed to 2.1 MPa pressure at 90 to 110 °C for 20 h to simulate long-term aging during pavement service life. Post-conditioning, samples are placed in a degassing oven to remove entrapped air.

An in-house aging protocol using a forced draft oven is formulated to produce representative aged binders with defined aging histories. The procedure simulates varying degrees of aging, with aging conditions established based on rheological characterization and multivariate statistical analysis. This approach helps to evaluate the recyclability of aged bitumen and assess the effect of recycling agents on aging-induced changes.

The blending setup consists of two systems: low-shear and high-shear blending, enabling the preparation of both unmodified and polymer-modified binders. The selection of shear rate depends on the base binder, type of polymer or additive, and blending temperature. The setup can produce approximately 2400 g of bituminous binder in a single batch.

The workability evaluation equipment, developed in-house by the Pavement Laboratory at IIT Madras, is used to measure and compare the workability of bituminous mixtures using torque data at mixing and compaction temperatures. It allows torque measurement at different paddle rotation speeds (up to 50 rpm) and temperatures (up to 200 °C), enabling effective comparison of different types of bituminous mixtures. The equipment also functions as an automated mixing unit with a 35 kg batch capacity, ensuring uniform and efficient mixing.

Prism Shearbox Compactor PReSBOX: It enables fabrication of prismatic bituminous mixture specimens of dimensions 450 mm × 150 mm, with heights ranging from 145 to 185 mm, including glass fiber grid-reinforced samples. Pine Gyratory Compactor: It facilitates the preparation of cylindrical specimens at varying compaction levels for determining the optimum binder content and evaluating compactability characteristics. The compacted samples are sliced and cored with dimension precision to meet global testing standards.

The European Standard Tester (ENST) is a hydraulically controlled testing system equipped with an environmental chamber capable of maintaining temperatures from −20 ºC to 80 ºC. It is designed with interchangeable jigs to facilitate a range of tests on bituminous mixtures, including Resilient Modulus, four-point beam bending (4PB), Pull-off, and Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) tests.

The Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) includes a computer-controlled servo-hydraulic testing machine, an environmental chamber for precise temperature control, and linear variable differential transformers (LVDT) to measure sample deformations. The equipment enables conducting repeated haversine compression tests (with and without confinement), flow number and flow time tests, and repeated direct tension and tension-compression tests.

Dry Wheel Tracker measures the deformation (rut depth) along the wheel path due to repeated passes of a loaded wheel over a compacted specimen at controlled temperature. The rut depth progression is used to evaluate the rutting resistance of bituminous mixtures under repeated loading conditions.

The Wirtgen WLM 30, a twin-shaft pugmill, enables laboratory-scale RAP processing by effectively deagglomerating RAP particles. The process focuses on separating the mastic from the coarse fraction and transferring it to the fine fraction without generating new aggregate surfaces, thereby preserving aggregate integrity and supporting more refined mixture design. The system can be adapted for different RAP sources by optimizing the rotational speed and processing duration.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer (PerkinElmer)

Dynamic Shear Rheometer with Chiller (Anton Paar MCR 702e)

Dynamic Shear Rheometer (Anton Paar MCR 502)

High Shear Mixer (Silverson)