MnPAVE Menus

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System Menu

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Click and drag the title bar to move the MnPAVE window to another part of your screen.


File menu commands
File Menu

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The File menu offers the following commands:

New	Creates a new MnPAVE document.
Open	Opens an existing MnPAVE document.
Close	Closes an opened document.
Save	Saves an opened document using the same file name.
Save As	Saves an opened document to a specified file name.
Screen Capture	Saves an image file of the active window in BMP format.
PDF Design Summary	Save a summary report of MnPAVE output in PDF format (only available in the Output window).
Exit	Exits MnPAVE.


Edit menu

When grayed, the edit commands are not available.  The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Cut	Deletes data from the document and moves it to the clipboard.
Copy	Copies data from the document to the clipboard.
Paste	Pastes data from the clipboard into the document.


View menu

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The View menu offers the following commands:

Toolbar	Shows or hides the toolbar.
Status Bar	Shows or hides the status bar.
Disclaimer	Displays the Mn/DOT disclaimer.
Warnings	Enables or disables various MnPAVE warnings.
Damage Options
FWD Options
Mode	Switches between Design and Research modes.


Disclaimer

This version of MnPAVE contains uncalibrated models and is intended to be used for evaluation purposes only.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation makes no guarantee or warranty, either express or implied, with respect to the reuse of the data provided herewith, regardless of its format or means of its transmission.  The user accepts the data "as is", and assumes all risks associated with its use.  By accepting of this data, the user agrees not to transmit this data or provide access to it or any part of it to another party unless the user shall include with the data a copy of this disclaimer.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation assumes no responsibility, actual or consequential, for damage that results from any user's reliance on this data.


View menu

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View menu

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Design mode.  Advanced research features are disabled.


Research mode contains features that enable the user to customize climate data, change equation variables, compare different damage transfer functions, view a wide range of structural pavement responses, and calculate reliability using Monte Carlo simulation.

Help for this mode has not been developed.


Damage options are available in Research Mode only. The default selection is Use All Strains. The option to Ignore Low Strains is used to test a Perpetual Pavement model, in which the structure is designed so that critical strains do not exceed threshold values.  Default threshold values can be viewed in Design Mode. Threshold values can be edited in Research Mode.


FWD options apply only to overlay design.  In Intermediate Structure, FWD deflections can be used to determine the properties of the existing pavement.


FWD tests are performed at regular intervals along the pavement, regardless of proximity to cracks or other distresses.  This is the default setting, and can only be changed in Research Mode.


FWD tests are performed at points near cracks and between cracks - at least 5 ft. (1.5 m) from the nearest crack.  The purpose is to determine the effect that cracks have on pavement deflections.  This option can only be used in Research Mode.


The mean modulus calculated from the FWD deflections is used as the design modulus for the existing HMA layer.  This option is intended for use when the near crack option is selected.  The mean near crack modulus is then used as the design modulus for the existing HMA layer.  This option can only be used in Research Mode.


The mean modulus calculated from the FWD deflections minus two standard deviations is used as the design modulus for the existing HMA layer. This is the default setting, and can only be changed in Research Mode.


Enable or disable Mn/DOT HMA thickness warnings.


Enable or disable Mn/DOT PG binder warnings.


Allowable Stress Warnings

When Always show Allowable Stress results is checked, this window will appear every time the output is calculated.

When Show Allowable Stress if Failed is checked, this window will only appear when the stress at the middle of the aggregate base exceeds the critical value.

When both are unchecked, the warning is disabled.


Window menu

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The Window menu offers the following commands, which enable you to arrange multiple views of multiple documents in the application window:

New Window	Creates a new window that views the same document.
Cascade	Arranges windows in an overlapped fashion.
Tile	Arranges windows in non-overlapped tiles.
Arrange Icons	Arranges icons of closed windows.
Window 1, 2, ...	Goes to specified window.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:

Help Topics	Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
About	Displays the version number of this application.
Info on the Web	Displays a list of links for more information about pavement design and materials on the Mn/DOT web site.


File New command
New command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new document in MnPAVE.

You can open an existing document with the Open command.

Shortcut Keys:	CTRL+N


File New dialog box

Specify the type of document you wish to create:


File Open command
Open command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing document in a new window.  You can open multiple documents at once.  Use the Window menu to switch among the multiple open documents.  See Window 1, 2, ... command.

You can create new documents with the New command.

Shortcut Keys:	CTRL+O


File Open dialog box

The following options allow you to specify which file to open:

File Name

Type or select the filename you want to open.  This box lists files with the MnPAVE (*.mpv) extension.

List Files of Type

The only supported file type is MnPAVE (*.mpv).

Directories

Select the directory where the MnPAVE is located.


File Close command
Close command (File menu)

Use this command to close all windows containing the active document.  MnPAVE suggests that you save changes to your document before you close it.  If you close a document without saving, you lose all changes made since the last time you saved it.  Before closing an untitled document, MnPAVE displays the Save As dialog box and suggests that you name and save the document.

You can also close a document by using the Close icon on the document's window, as shown below:


File Save command
Save command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active document to its current name and directory.  When you save a document for the first time, MnPAVE displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document.  If you want to change the name and directory of an existing document before you save it, choose the Save As command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+S


File Save As command
Save As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active document.  MnPAVE displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document.

To save a document with its existing name and directory, use the Save command.


File Save As dialog box

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the file you're about to save:

File Name

Type a new filename to save a document with a different name.  MnPAVE adds the extension you specify in the Save File As Type box.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the document.


File 1, 2, 3, 4 command
1, 2, 3, 4 command (File menu)

Use the numbers and filenames listed at the bottom of the File menu to open the last four documents you closed.  Choose the number that corresponds with the document you want to open.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your MnPAVE session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  MnPAVE prompts you to save documents with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Undo/Can't Undo command (Edit menu)

Use this command to reverse the last editing action, if possible.   The name of the command changes, depending on what the last action was.  The Undo command changes to Can't Undo on the menu if you cannot reverse your last action.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+Z or

ALT-BACKSPACE


Redo command (Edit menu)


Cut command (Edit menu)

Use this command to remove the currently selected data from the document and put it on the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Cutting data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+X


Copy command (Edit menu)

Use this command to copy selected data onto the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Copying data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+C


Paste command (Edit menu)

Use this command to insert a copy of the clipboard contents at the insertion point.  This command is unavailable if the clipboard is empty.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:	Keys:	CTRL+V


View Toolbar command
Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar, which includes buttons for some of the most common commands in MnPAVE, such as File Open.  A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Toolbar is displayed.

See Toolbar for help on using the toolbar.


Toolbar

The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below the menu bar.  The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used in MnPAVE,

To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu (ALT, V, T).

<< Add or remove toolbar buttons from the list below according to which ones your application offers. >>

Click	To

Open a new document.

Open an existing document.  MnPAVE displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate and open the desired file.

Save the active document or template with its current name.  If you have not named the document, MnPAVE displays the Save As dialog box.

Print the active document.

Remove selected data from the document and stores it on the clipboard.

Copy the selection to the clipboard.

Insert the contents of the clipboard at the insertion point.

Reverse the last editing.  Note:  You cannot undo some actions.

Go to the first record in the current selection.

Go to the previous record in the current selection.

Go to the next record in the current selection.

Go to the last record in the current selection.


View Status Bar Command
Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the MnPAVE window.  To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you use the arrow keys to navigate through menus.  This area similarly shows messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them, before releasing them.  If after viewing the description of the toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following keys are latched down:

Indicator	Description

CAP	The Caps Lock key is latched down.

NUM	The Num Lock key is latched down.

SCRL	The Scroll Lock key is latched down.


New command (Window menu)

Use this command to open a new window with the same contents as the active window.  You can open multiple document windows to display different parts or views of a document at the same time.  If you change the contents in one window, all other windows containing the same document reflect those changes.  When you open a new window, it becomes the active window and is displayed on top of all other open windows.


Cascade command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows in an overlapped fashion.


Tile command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows in a non-overlapped fashion.


Tile Horizontal command (Window menu)

Use this command to vertically arrange multiple opened windows in a non-overlapped fashion.


Tile Vertical command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows side by side.


Window Arrange Icons Command

Use this command to arrange the icons for minimized windows at the bottom of the main window.  If there is an open document window at the bottom of the main window, then some or all of the icons may not be visible because they will be underneath this document window.


Split Command (Window menu)

Use this command to split the active window into panes.  You may then use the mouse or the keyboard arrows to move the splitter bars.  When you are finished, press the mouse button or enter to leave the splitter bars in their new location.  Pressing escape keeps the splitter bars in their original location.  << In a single document interface application, this command will appear on the View menu. >>


1, 2, ... command (Window menu)

MnPAVE displays a list of currently open document windows at the bottom of the Window menu.  A check mark appears in front of the document name of the active window.  Choose a document from this list to make its window active.


Index command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using MnPAVE and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of MnPAVE.


Links to Mn/DOT design and materials information on the internet.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of MnPAVE.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the MnPAVE window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Title Bar

<< Show your application's title bar here. >>

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and document.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Document Control-menu button

Maximize button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the document

Restore button


Scroll bars

Displayed at the right and bottom edges of the document window.  The scroll boxes inside the scroll bars indicate your vertical and horizontal location in the document.  You can use the mouse to scroll to other parts of the document.


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the MnPAVE window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.

Keys:	CTRL+F10 enlarges a document window.


Next Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the next open document window.  MnPAVE determines which window is next according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F6


Previous Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the previous open document window.  MnPAVE determines which window is previous according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+CTRL+F6


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Note:  If you have multiple windows open for a single document, the Close command on the document Control menu closes only one window at a time.  You can close all windows at once with the Close command on the File menu.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	CTRL+F4 closes a document window

ALT+F4 closes the <<YourType>> window or dialog box


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


View Ruler Command
Ruler command (View menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Choose Font Dialog
Choose Font dialog box

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Choose Color Dialog
Choose Color dialog box

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Edit Find Command
Find command (Edit menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Find Dialog
Find dialog box

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Edit Replace Command
Replace command (Edit menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Replace Dialog
Replace dialog box

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Edit Repeat Command
Repeat command (Edit menu)

Use this command to repeat the last editing command carried out.  The Repeat menu item changes to Can't Repeat if you cannot repeat your last action.

Shortcut

Key:	F4


Edit Clear Command
Clear command (Edit menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Edit Clear All
Clear All command (Edit menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Next Pane Command
Next Pane

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Prev Pane Command
Prev Pane

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Modifying the Document

<< Write application-specific help here that provides an overview of how the user should modify a document using your application.>>


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.

<< If you wish to author help specific to each message box prompt, then remove the AFX_HIDP_xxx values from the [ALIAS] section of your .HPJ file, and author a topic for each AFX_HIDP_xxx value.  For example, AFX_HIDP_INVALID_FILENAME is the help topic for the Invalid Filename message box. >>


Cut:  Currently not supported in MnPAVE.


Copy:  Currently not supported in MnPAVE.


Paste:  Currently not supported in MnPAVE.


New	Creates a new document.
Open	Opens an existing document.
Close	Closes an opened document.
Save	Saves an opened document using the same file name.
Save As	Saves an opened document to a specified file name.
Print	Prints a document.
Print Preview	Displays the document on the screen as it would appear printed.
Print Setup	Selects a printer and printer connection.
Exit	Exits MnPAVE.


Project Information

Project Information


File Print command
PDF Design Summary (File menu)

Creates a Pavement Design Report in PDF format (only available in the Output window)


Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be printed:

Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection.  Choose the Setup option to change the printer and printer connection.

Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so  you can select a printer and printer connection.

Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

All	Prints the entire document.
Selection	Prints the currently selected text.
Pages	Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To boxes.
Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies of each page.

Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing.  Generally, lower quality printing takes less time to produce.


Print Progress Dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that <<YourApp>> is sending output to the printer.  The page number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.


File Print Preview command
Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when printed.  When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed in their printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.


Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.


File Print Setup command
Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection.  This command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer and its connection.


Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and its connection.

Printer

Select the printer you want to use.  Choose the Default Printer; or choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current installed printers shown in the box.  You install printers and configure ports using the Windows Control Panel.

Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources.  Specify the tray here.

Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Page Setup Command
Page Setup command (File menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Screen Capture

Saves an image of the current  MnPAVE window (BMP format).


MnPAVE Main Control Panel
CONTROL PANEL

The control panel consists of  four input modules and one output module.  Click on the buttons for information about each module.


Units: English, SI
The default system of engineering units is English, however the system of units can be changed in any of the main modules.  System International (SI) or English units may be selected.

English	SI

Length

1 in	=	25.4 mm

1 ft	=	0.3048 m

1 mi	= 	1.609344 km

Weight

1 lb	=	4.448222 N

1 kip = 1000 lbs

Pressure (Modulus)

1 psi	=	6.894757 kPa

(pounds per square inch)

1 ksi = 1000 psi =	6.894757 MPa


kip, kN, lbs, convert
1 kip = 1,000 lbs

1 kip = 4.448 kN

Other unit conversions


Project Information: district, county, city, highway, designer, engineer, notes
 Project information is a form for entering information necessary to identify a MnPAVE project.  Mn/DOT District, county, city, highway, construction type, design engineer and project notes are entered in this module.


Climate Module
 Climate contains a map of Minnesota where more specific location data can be entered.  MnPAVE calculates season lengths and temperatures for each location using data from surrounding weather stations.  Click on areas of the window for more information.


Climate Details

Seasonal air and pavement temperatures can be viewed in this window.  The equation used to convert air temperature to pavement temperature can be seen by clicking the Temperature Equation button.


Structure Module: material properties, layers, modulus, Poisson's ratio
 Structure has three levels of input for the pavement material properties:.

Basic Structure is intended for low-volume roads or designs that don’t require a high degree of reliability.  Material types are selected, and MnPAVE uses default design modulus values.  These modulus values are adjusted for seasonal variations in moisture and temperature.  Basic hot-mix asphalt (HMA) information must be entered in order for MnPAVE to calculate the dynamic modulus.


Thickness Details

The Show Details button reveals details used in the pavement simulation.

Click on the items in the View box to learn more.


Confidence Level, probability, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, COV, CV
Confidence Level

This value is only adjustable in Research Mode.  It used to adjust layer thickness and modulus values to assure that a proportion of the pavement area meets or exceeds the desired values, based on the coefficient of variation (COV).  The higher the confidence level and COV the more the value is reduced.  A confidence level of 50% results in no reduction (the mean value is used in the simulation).  The Confidence Level differs from the reliability value calculated in the Output Monte Carlo simulation.  The Confidence Level reduces the values for all layers and acts as a factor of safety to account for variability and uncertainty.  A Monte Carlo simulation should be run on the final design to determine reliability.  If the user intends to use Monte Carlo simulation to determine the final layer thicknesses, selecting a Confidence Level of 10 to 15% less than the desired reliability may be helpful.  The default Confidence Level for Design Mode is 70%.


View Thickness Values
Displays the design thickness.  In Design Mode, an adjusted thickness is used for the simulation to account for construction variability

.

 (Research Mode) If the Confidence Level is 50%, the design thickness will be used in the simulation.  Higher confidence levels result in an adjusted thickness for the simulation.


View Modulus Values
Displays design modulus values.  For pavement simulations these values are adjusted according to the Confidence Level.


COV: coefficient of variation, standard deviation, mean, statistics, confidence, probability
Coefficient of Variation


COV: view coefficient of variation, thickness, standard deviation, mean, statistics, confidence, probability
Thickness Coefficient of Variation


COV: view coefficient of variation, modulus, standard deviation, mean, statistics, confidence, probability
Modulus Coefficient of Variation


Poisson's Ratio, LEA, Layered Elastic Analysis
Displays design Poisson's Ratio for each material.  Poisson's Ratio is a measure of a material's tendency to expand in the horizontal direction when it is compressed in the vertical direction.  Poisson's Ratio is used in Layered Elastic Analysis (LEA) simulations.


View Seasonal Resistance Factors
Displays seasonal multipliers for each aggregate base, subbase, and soil material (HMA moduli are calculated for each season).  Multipliers indicate moisture susceptibility and the state of the material (frozen or thawed).


Import structure data basic module, advanced, modulus, Poisson's Ratio, COV, coefficient of variation
Basic default modulus values can be imported into Advanced Mode when custom values are not available for all layers and seasons.


Adjusted Thickness: coefficient of variation, standard deviation, mean, statistics, confidence, probability
Adjusted Thickness Values

This displays the adjusted thickness that will be used in the simulation.  If the Confidence Level is 50%, the adjusted thickness is identical to the design thickness.  Higher confidence levels result in a reduced thickness for the simulation.  Thickness values used in the pavement simulation are adjusted according to the Confidence Level.


Adjusted Modulus: coefficient of variation, standard deviation, mean, statistics, confidence, probability
Adjusted Modulus Values

Modulus values used in the pavement simulation are adjusted according to the Confidence Level.


LEA, Layered Elastic Analysis, layers, isotropic
Layered Elastic Analysis

MnPAVE uses a five-layer isotropic system program written in 1987 by Frans Van Cauwelaert at the Catholic Superior Industrial Institute Department of Civil Engineering in Belgium and modified in 1989 by Don R. Alexander at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

All layers are assumed to be isotropic in all directions and infinite in the horizontal direction.  The fifth layer is assumed to be semi-infinite in the vertical direction.

Material inputs include layer thickness, modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and an index indicating the degree of slip between layers.  MnPAVE assumes zero slip at all layer interfaces.

Other inputs include load and evaluation locations.  Loads are characterized by pressure and radius.

The LEA program calculates normal and shear stress, normal strain, and displacement at specified locations.


Structure module: basic, layers, thickness, default material type

Basic Structure


Structure module: basic, layers, thickness, default structures
Default Structures:  This area provides shortcuts for several common pavement structures.  Select the desired pavement structure, then adjust the layer thicknesses and material subtypes.


Structure module: basic, layers, thickness, default material type
Material Types for each layer are selected on the left side of the Structure window under "Edit Structure".


Structure module: basic, layers, thickness, default material type, subtype
Layers wi th a white pointer arrow [image] can be clicked to select a different subtype.


Structure module, basic, select number layers
Click on a layer button to select the number of layers in the pavement structure.  The bottom layer is always semi-infinite.  A MnPAVE pavement structure can have no less than two and no more than five layers.  Due to limitations in the LEA procedure, layer 5 cannot be analyzed for rutting.  Therefore layers 2 through 4 must contain at least one engineered soil or undisturbed soil layer.


Structure module: basic, default material type, engineered soil, subgrade
Soil that has been blended and compacted prior to construction.


Structure module: basic, default material type, undisturbed soil, subgrade modulus
Existing soil that has not been reworked.  Because of uncertainty in the quality and uniformity of the material, the default undisturbed soil modulus is equal to half of the corresponding engineered soil modulus.


Structure module: basic, default material type, pavement layer
Click on the black triangle [image] to select from a list of allowed materials for each layer.  The materials that are allowed for each layer depend upon what lies above and below (for example, aggregate base is not allowed below a soil layer).


Structure module: basic, layer thickness
Layer thickness can be defined by typing in the edit box or by clicking the up or down buttons to the right of the edit box [image].  The up or down buttons jump to the nearest 0.5” (10 mm) for HMA and the nearest 1” (25 mm) for other materials.


Structure, HMA subtype, mix design, asphalt binder PG grade, air voids, content, gradation
HMA Subtypes are selected in the HMA Mix Design module.  Mix design information such as asphalt binder content and gradation are required to estimate the HMA dynamic modulus.

Up to three HMA types can be defined for layer 1.  Since the LEA procedure only allows five layers, multiple HMA layers are combined into a single layer using the equivalent thickness method.


Structure, intermediate, HMA subtype, mix design, asphalt binder PG grade, air voids, content, gradation
For new HMA designs, Basic HMA properties are used in Intermediate mode.  For overlay design, FWD data may be entered to determine the existing HMA properties.


Structure, intermediate, material tests, resilient modulus, Mr, R-Value, DCP, dynamic cone penetrometer, percent silt, clay
Aggregate or soil test results can be entered in Intermediate Structure.  Each value is converted to design modulus and adjusted for seasonal variations.  If no test has been performed on a given material, it's box can be left unchecked to use default Basic material properties.

A material subtype need not be selected if test data is entered.  If the material subtype is known, it can be selected by clicking on the pointer arrow [image] to the right of the edit box.  If the material subtype is not known, select Unknown from the list.  To view the calculated moduli, click on the Advanced tab.


Structure, intermediate, material tests, resilient modulus, Mr, R-Value, DCP, dynamic cone penetrometer, percent silt, clay
The results of aggregate and soil tests are entered in this section.  Only check the boxes that correspond to materials with test data.  Leave other materials unchecked so that the default modulus values can be used.


Structure, intermediate, view, material test results, resistance factors, coefficient of variation, COV
View test values, resistance factors, or coefficient of variation (COV).  Resistance factors are multiplied by the modulus values of aggregate base and subgrade soil to adjust for seasonal moisture conditions.


Structure, intermediate, other, design modulus, Poisson's Ratio
If Other is selected in the Edit Structure area, material properties are edited in this area.  Design Modulus, Poisson's Ratio, and coefficient of variation (COV). must be entered.


Structure, intermediate, other, design modulus, Poisson's Ratio
The design modulus of a layer may differ from the resilient modulusMr or other laboratory modulus test result because the stress state under a pavement differs from that of a laboratory specimen.  The design modulus of an unbound layer can be backcalculated using deflection data from FWD tests conducted on materials that are at optimum moisture and density.


Structure, intermediate, moisture
Moisture relationships will be used in future versions of MnPAVE to more accurately characterize aggregate base and soil properties.


Structure, intermediate, Mohr Coulomb, critical stress criteria, shear failure
Mohr Coulomb analysis is used to check critical stress values in the aggregate base layer under the heaviest axle loads.


Design Mode, Structure, Spectrum, basic, intermediate, advanced
The design mode is displayed above the “Finished” button to confirm that the correct mode is selected.  Any editing that is done in the Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced windows will change the mode.  If any editing causes the wrong mode to be selected, this can be corrected prior to clicking on the “Finished” button.


Structure, advanced, design mode, basic, intermediate
Click on Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced to view the corresponding material properties below.  Selecting Basic or Intermediate displays values calculated based on data from those modules.  In Advanced mode, all material properties must be entered manually in this window.


HMA specifications, hot-mix asphalt, Mn/DOT, nominal maximum size, gradation, 2350, 2360, Superpave, fine, coarse, restricted zone
Click on the colored bar to select a default gradation based on a Mn/DOT specification.  A custom gradation can be defined by entering numbers in the “Percent Passing” edit boxes.


HMA hot-mix asphalt, Equivalent Thickness Method, dynamic modulus, layered elastic analysis, LEA
Since the LEA procedure only allows five layers, multiple HMA layers are combined into a single layer using the Equivalent Thickness Method (upper layers are assigned the same modulus value as the lowest layer, and the thickness is adjusted to retain the original stiffness of the combined layers).


HMA, hot-mix asphalt, dynamic modulus equation, Witczak, traffic speed, test frequency
Traffic speed is converted to an equivalent load frequency which is then used to calculate the dynamic modulus of the HMA layer in Advanced HMA.


Structural Number, SN, AASHTO, pavement design, structures, guide
The Structural Number is calculated using the method described in Section 2.3.5 of the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures.


Structure: advanced HMA, mix design, dynamic modulus
Advanced HMA Properties

This form can be used to enter more HMA mix design information.  It also displays the equation used to calculate HMA dynamic modulus.


Structure: advanced HMA, mix design, dynamic modulus, Witczak equation
Advanced HMA Properties

This form can be used to enter more HMA mix design information.  It also displays the equation used to calculate HMA dynamic modulus.


Structure, material tests, HMA, aggregate, soil, resilient modulus, R-Value, DCP, resistance factor

Intermediate Structure

Intermediate Structure has a form for entering Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test data for aggregate base and as R-Value data fo subgrade soil (more input options are available in Research Mode).  These values are converted to design modulus and adjusted for seasonal variations.  Basic HMA data is used in this module.


Structure, material tests, HMA, aggregate, soil, FWD, falling-weight deflectometer, deflection
Falling-Weight Deflectometer:  A device that measures deflections that result from a weight dropped onto the pavement.  These deflections can be used to determine the modulus of pavement layers.


Overlay design, basic, intermediate, HMA, FWD, TONN, Spring Load Restrictions
OVERLAY DESIGN

While a complete Mechanistic-Empirical overlay design method has not yet been developed for MnPAVE, overlays can be designed using the conventional fatigue and rutting criteria to check for structural capacity.  In addition, FWD deflections and the TONN method can be used to determine the necessary overlay thickness to avoid the need for Spring load restrictions.

Basic Overlay Design Procedure

Intermediate Overlay Design Procedure


Basic overlay design, HMA, TONN, FWD
Basic Overlay Design

While MnPAVE can check for fatigue, rutting, and shear failure in the aggregate base, these are often not the primary factors in determining overlay thickness.  When designing overlays in Basic mode, the designer must also rely on other overlay design methods and guidelines.  Do Project Information and Climate, and then go to Structure.

1.	Select the default overlay structure.  If the old HMA properties for this layer have not yet been defined, the HMA Mix Properties window will open up.

2.	If the HMA Mix Properties window did not open, click on the gray Old HMA subtype bar.

3.	Select the binder grade of the old HMA and any other mix properties that are known and click OK.

4.	Check the Mill and Overlay checkbox if applicable (the old HMA thickness should be the thickness after milling).

5.	Define the HMA properties for the new (overlay) HMA.

6.	Define the other pavement layers to the extent that their material types and thicknesses are known.

7.	Continue to Traffic and Output.

8.	If this is a Mill and Overlay project, HMA fatigue and subgrade rutting results will be displayed.  If it is not a Mill and Overlay project and rutting has been observed in the old HMA, check the Rutting is present in old HMA box.  If rutting is not present in the existing HMA, it is not necessary to check for subgrade rutting.


Old HMA Layer

1.	Select the binder grade of the old HMA and any other mix properties that are known and click OK.

2.	Check the Mill and Overlay checkbox if applicable (the old HMA thickness should be the thickness after milling).

3.	Define the HMA properties for the new (overlay) HMA.

4.	Define the other pavement layers to the extent that their material types and thicknesses are known.

5.	Continue to Traffic and Output.

6.	If this is a Mill and Overlay project, HMA fatigue and subgrade rutting results will be displayed.  If it is not a Mill and Overlay project and rutting has been observed in the old HMA, check the Rutting is present in old HMA box.  If rutting is not present in the existing HMA, it is not necessary to check for subgrade rutting.


Intermediate overlay design, HMA, FWD, TONN, Spring load restrictions
Intermediate Overlay Design

1.	Select material types and subtypes for the layers, with HMA overlay in layer 1 and Old HMA in layer 2.

2.	Click on the Intermediate tab and select FWD Deflections.

3.	The FWD Data window will open.  FWD loads and deflections must be entered in the spreadsheet.  Data entry is greatly simplified by opening the FWD deflection file in a spreadsheet such as Excel, cutting and pasting to put the data in the appropriate columns, and then pasting the data into MnPAVE.

4.	Pavement temperature can be entered by two methods.  If the pavement temperature is known, uncheck the [image] checkbox and enter the known pavement temperature values in column 2.  If the pavement temperature is not known, it can be estimated using the BELLS 3 method.  Enter the previous day's high and low air temperatures in the appropriate boxes and the infrared surface temperatures in column 2.

5.	If Mill and Overlay was checked, the [image] button must be clicked to define the old HMA thickness at the time of the FWD testing and after milling.

6.	Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) must also be entered.  If this value is not known, it can be estimated from the design ESALs and the road type by clicking on the [image] button.

7.	Select the soil plasticity at the bottom by clicking on the [image] button.  Clicking on the button toggles through three levels:  Plastic, Semi-Plastic, and Non-Plastic.  If this property is unknown, assume the soil is plastic.

8.	The [image] value is used in the TONN procedure.  This value is typically 0.11 and ordinarily does not need to be changed.

Next


Intermediate overlay design, HMA, FWD, TONN, Spring load restrictions
Intermediate Overlay Design (continued)

9.	Once all data has been entered, click on the [image] button.

10.	If BELLS3 was used, column 2 displays the estimated pavement temperatures at 1/3 of the pavement depth.  Column 3 displays the fwd load, and column 4 displays the center deflection normalized to a 9 kip (40 kN) load (all deflections are normalized for the calculations).  Column 5 displays the calculated HMA modulus and column 6 displays the Spring Load Restriction recommended by the TONN procedure for the selected overlay thickness.  Column 7 displays the overlay thickness recommended by the TONN procedure.  The mean and standard deviation for these values is displayed at the bottom of the table.


Structure: advanced, material properties, layers, modulus, Poisson's ratio

Advanced Structure

Advanced Structure requires the input of design modulus, Poisson’s Ratio, and coefficient of variation (COV) values for every layer and every layer.


Structure: advanced, material properties, layers, modulus, Poisson's ratio
This area displays the material values based on the selections made above.


HMA, hot-mix asphalt
Hot-mix asphalt:  A blend of asphalt binder and aggregate that is produced at a hot-mix facility and transported to the paving site.


Mill and Overlay


Traffic, ESAL, load spectrum, equivalent single axle load
Use ESALs to define lifetime traffic loading.

Load Spectrum Traffic input (Research Mode)


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate
ESAL

Use ESALs to define lifetime traffic loading.


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate, lifetime repetitions
Lifetime ESALs are the number of ESALs expected during the number of years specified in Design Period Length.

The First Year value is calculated based on the Design Period Length and Growth Rate.


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate, first year repetitions
If only First Year ESALs are known, it can be entered here and Lifetime ESALs will be calculated based on the Design Period Length and Growth Rate.


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate, load spectrum, spectra
The Design Period Length is typically 20 years.  This value can be adjusted by the user.


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate, load spectrum, spectra
The Annual Growth Rate determines the amount that traffic increases during each year of the Design Period.  Traffic analysis conducted by Mn/DOT has indicated that in general, a simple growth model is appropriate (traffic increases by a fixed amount each year).


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate, load spectrum, spectra, allowable stress
Allowable Stress is used to protect against failure in the aggregate base layer due to a single heavy load event.  For this reason, the axle weights entered in this window represent the heaviest axles expected.  The default values for less than 1 million ESALs are assumed to be legal traffic loads.  For higher traffic volumes, the maximum weights are consistent with data from around the state and do not correspond to legal load limits.


ESAL, equivalent single axle load, traffic, axle, design period, annual growth rate
Equivalent Single Axle Load

ESALs are a means of simplifying traffic data for pavement design.  An ESAL is defined as an 18 kip (80 kN) dual tire axle with a tire pressure of 80 psi (552 kPa).  Other axle loads and configurations can be converted to ESALs by using Load Equivalency Factors (LEF) as defined in Appendix D of the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures.  An LEF is the number of  18 kip ESALs required to cause the same amount of damage as the axle in question.


Design Lane AADT
First Year Design Lane AADT

This value is determined by multiplying the average annual daily traffic forecast for the first year by a directional distribution factor (DD) and a lane distribution factor (DL):

First Year Design Lane AADT = First Year AADT x DD x DL

DD = 0.5 if traffic is approximately equal in both directions.

DL = 1.0 for 2-lane highways.

The 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures provides the following guidelines for DL on multi-lane highways:

Number of Lanes	Percent of Traffic

In Each Direction	in Design Lane}

1	100

2	  80 - 100

3	60 - 80

4	50 - 75


Traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
 Basic Spectrum determines a load spectrum using design lane AADT, pavement life, growth rate, and route type.

ESAL Traffic input


Traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
When a traffic type is selected in Basic Spectrum, weigh-in-motion (WIM) data from routes of that type is used with the other traffic inputs to calculate the load spectrum used in the pavement simulation.


Traffic, load spectrum, WIM, weigh-in-motion
Weigh-In-Motion (WIM): a device that measures wheel or axle loads on a pavement while the vehicle is in motion.


Traffic, load spectrum, truck, vehicle, classification, FHWA
Vehicle types are quantified in pavement design procedures to more accurately define the loads on the pavement.  Vehicle type data can be obtained from manual counts or from automatic vehicle classification systems.  The Mn/DOT classification system differs somewhat from the FHWA system.  Data in FHWA format can be entered and MnPAVE will convert it into Mn/DOT format.  Vehicle-specific axle weight distributions are used to convert vehicle type data into a load spectrum for pavement simulations.


Traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
 Intermediate Spectrum determines a load spectrum using design lane AADT, pavement life, growth rate, and vehicle type percentages.


Traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
 In Advanced Spectrum, the user can paste formatted load spectrum data or use Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) data.


Traffic, load spectrum, tire spacing, axle spacing
The tire pressure, tire spacing, and axle spacing all affect the stresses and strains throughout the pavement structure.  The default values shown are fairly typical of vehicles in the United States.


Traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
This area is similar to a spreadsheet.  Lifetime load spectrum data or WIM data can be formatted in a spreadsheet program such as Excel, then copied and pasted in the MnPAVE Load Spectrum window.


Weigh-In-Motion, WIM, traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
Weigh-In-Motion(WIM) data that is collected for a period of time can be pasted in the MnPAVE Load Spectrum window and MnPAVE will calculate the load spectrum for the pavement simulation.


Weigh-In-Motion, WIM, traffic, load spectrum, AADT, life, growth rate, simple, compound
If Seasonal Traffic is checked, data must be entered (or pasted) for each season.  Select seasons by clicking on the "All Seasons" button (it will then advance to the next season with each click).


Traffic, load spectrum, axle weight, AASHTO
The axle weights are divided into 2-kip (2000 lb or 9 kN) ranges as in the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures.


Traffic, load spectrum, axle types
Axle types can be checked or unchecked depending on what type of trucks traffic is expected on the pavement.


Traffic, load spectrum, AASHTO, LEF, ESAL
ESALs are caculated as in the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures using Load Equivalency Factors (LEF).


Traffic, AASHTO, load spectrum, load equivalency factor, structural number, SN, terminal serviceability, single. steer, tandem tridem, AASHO
AASHTO Load Equivalency Factors (LEF)

These factors are multiplied by the repetitions of the corresponding axle type and weight to obtain an equivalent number of 18,000-lb (80 kN) ESALs.  These values are then summed to provide a single ESAL value that can be used in a variety of pavement design methods.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate
Output displays the expected life based on fatigue and rutting damage.  Optimum layer thickness can be determined automatically in ESAL mode.

Output reliability considers the variability of the thickness and modulus values for each layer to determine a reliability value for the pavement design. The reliability will not necessarily agree with the 70% Confidence Level because the confidence level selects the "worst case" thickness and modulus value for each layer while the reliability analysis considers a random combination of thickness and modulus values.  Reliability is the recommended criterion for MnPAVE pavement design.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate
 Basic Output displays the expected years of pavement life based on calculated fatigue and rutting damage.

The pavement damage is also expressed as a percent contribution by each season.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate, batch mode
 The batch mode allows the user to specify a range of layer thickness values and have all results tabulated in a text file or spreadsheet.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate, Monte Carlo, reliability
 Output reliability considers the variability of the thickness and modulus values for each layer to determine a reliability value for the pavement design.

The reliability will not necessarily agree with the 70% Confidence Level because the confidence level selects the "worst case" thickness and modulus value for each layer while the reliability analysis considers a random combination of thickness and modulus values.  Reliability is the recommended criterion for MnPAVE pavement design.


Runs the selected number of Monte Carlo cycles.  The time for this process ranges from less than one minute to a few minutes for an ESAL design (depending on the computer's processor speed) and up to several hours for a load spectrum design.


Check this box to save the results in an Excel or text file at the end of the simulation.


When this box is checked, the input values from all Monte Carlo cycles are saved in an Excel or text file.  This is useful in verifying that the desired range of thickness and modulus values were included in the simulation.  It is recommended that Excel format be selected as there are 41 columns and thousands of rows of data.


The number of Monte Carlo cycles can be adjusted.  A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the optimum value of 2500 cycles.


The location, file name, and file format of the output file is specified here.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate, Monte Carlo, reliability
Quick Reliability uses equations derived from running a range of full Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the Monte Carlo reliability for a given structure.  This is a time-saving feature that allows quick adjustments in the structure.  Once the desired quick reliability value is reached a full Monte Carlo reliability should be run for verification.


Click “Life” to view the expected years of pavement life based on an analysis of fatigue and rutting damage.  Click “Damage” to view the corresponding damage factors (a value of 1 or greater indicates failure prior to end of the designated design period).


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate, thickness goal seek
Thickness Goal Seek is a tool for determining design layer thicknesses.  To adjust the HMA layer only, select “Layer 1” and click on “Thickness Goal Seek”.  A number of cycles will be executed until the pavement fails in neither fatigue nor rutting.

When Thickness Goal Seek is done for non-HMA layers, the HMA layer will be adjusted for fatigue first (if necessary), and then the selected layer will be adjusted.  This is because adjusting underlying layers has a relatively small effect on fatigue life and may result in a large number of cyles and very thick layers.

After running Thickness Goal Seek, layer thicknesses can be adjusted manually to obtain the desired structure.


When Layer 1 Seek is selected, Thickness Goal Seek will be run on the uppermost HMA layer for each structure.


Check the box for each layer for which the thickness will be varied.  Type the thinnest value in the "Begin" box, the thickest value in the "End" box, and the amount to increase the thickness in the "Incr." box.


This button will prompt you for a filename in which to save the results.  Excel (xls), tab-delimited text (txt) or comma-delimited text (csv) formats can be selected.


This value is the number of structures that will be simulated.  If Set Damage Limits is checked, the number of lines in the output file may be fewer than this value.


Damage Limits are used to exclude extremely over- or under-designed structures from the output file.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate
Fatigue and Rutting Models

The expected life of a pavement is calculated by simulating the strains due to traffic loads and using an empirical transfer function to determine the Allowed Repetitions for each load.  If the applied load repetitions exceeds the allowed repetitions, the pavement is assumed to have failed.


When Set Frost-Free Depth is selected, each simulated structure will be adjusted so that the specified thickness of granular or better material is placed above the subgrade soil.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate
Allowed Repetitions:  The number of repetitions of a given axle load that are assumed to cause pavement failure by fatigue cracking or rutting.


Output: life, fatigue, rutting, damage, calculate
Fatigue Transfer Function (based on Asphalt Institute Model*)

*From:

Mechanistic-Empirical Evaluation of Mn/ROAD Mainline Flexible Pavement Sections IHR-535 Cooperative Evaluation of Mn/ROAD Test Results to Illinois Conditions Illinois Cooperative Highway and Transportation Research Programs Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Department of Transportation with the cooperation of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Mn/ROAD Research Project (Private Communication - Not for Publication) April 1998

Original Source:

Finn, F., Saraf, C.L., Kulkarni, R., Nair, K., Smith, W., and Abdullah, A., “Development of Pavement Structural Subsystems,” NCHRP Report 291, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board, 1986.


Output: life, fatigue, damage, calculate, correction factor


Output: life,  rutting transfer function, damage, calculate
Rutting Transfer Function


H.B. Kim Rutting Model

This model was included for comparison with the rutting transfer function.  The results can be viewed in Research Mode


MnPAVE research mode
Research Mode

The Desgn design mode in MnPAVE provides the features necessary to complete a pavement design.  Research Mode can be selected from the Main Control Panel from the View menu.

In Research Mode there are more features and more flexibility in entering data.  However, many of these features are outside the scope of the data used to calibrate MnPAVE, so Research Mode is not approved for design use..


If fatigue or rutting values are too low or too high, Material subtypes and layer thicknesses can be adjusted.  After each adjusment, “Recalculate” must be clicked to view the new results.  For Basic designs, HMA and aggregate subtypes can be adjusted in Output.  For Intermediate designs, only HMA can be adjusted in Output (other materials must be changed in Structure).  In Advanced mode, all material types must be changed in Structure.


The relative damage effect from each season is displayed here.  These values are affected by both the magnitude of strain that occurs during each season as well as the season length.


Results can be exported to a text file (comma or tab delimited) or to an “Excel” file.  The Excel file is actually a tab delimited text file with an “xls” file extension.  Double-clicking on this file opens it in Excel, but it must be “Saved As” Excel to convert it to true Excel format.

The Design Summary contains expected life and damage, project information, and limited structural and traffic information.

Damage Details includes more seasonal and traffic information.

The Design Summary can be printed directly by selecting File…Print or File…Print Preview from the Output Window.


One of eight districts can be selected.  When a district is selected, the County menu contains a list of counties represented by that district.


When a district is selected, the list of counties is limited to those represented by the selected district.  If a list of all Minnesota couties is desired, click on View All Counties.


Click here to view a list of all counties in Minnesota.


Click here to view only counties represented by the selected district


Type the city name if applicable.  If a different location is selected in Project Information or Climate, the city must be updated manually.


Enter the state project number or other identifying project number.


Enter the highway or route number or street name.


Enter the starting reference post for the project.


Enter the ending reference post for the project.


Select the letting date.


Enter the construction type (2360, 2350, Superpave, etc.)


Enter the name of the design engineer for this project.


Enter the name of the soils or materials engineer for this project.


Type in any other information needed to identify the project, materials, location, etc.


Click here to return to the Control Panel.


This is a link to the Bituminous Engineering Unit web page.  Scroll down to choose a specification.


Seasons:  MnPAVE has five default seasons based on material properties measured at the Mn/ROAD research site throughout the year.  Spring is divided into two seasons because of the drastic changes in aggregate base and subgrade soil properties during the Spring thaw period.


The seasonal duration can be calculated in days or weeks.  This selection will slightly affect MnPAVE Output because of the rounding error associated with converting days into weeks.


Seasonal duration can be viewed as either days or weeks.  Switching between weeks and days may affect MnPAVE results slightly.  This is because a 365-day year is slightly longer than a 52-week year.


The duration of each season is displayed in either days or weeks.  The sum of the season lengths must equal either 365 days or 52 weeks.


MnPAVE calculates the average pavement temperature for each season based on data from surrounding weather stations.  Details of this calculation can be viewed in the Details window.


The county and district can be selected from menus in the Project Information window.  Clicking on the map will also select them.  The season lengths and average seasonal temperatures are shown in the left portion of the Climate window.


Latitude and Longitude coordinates are approximate.  Degrees and minutes are in whole numbers.  This feature is useful when comparing two designs at the same location.


Select the text that appears on the map as the pointer is moved.


As the pointer moves over the map, the current district, county, and coordinates under the pointer are displayed to the left under Pointer Location.  Click the left mouse button to select this location.  The district and county can also be selected in Project Information.


Air Temperature

The air temperature at the selected location is based on a weighted average of data from 47 weather stations around Minnesota.  Each seasonal air temperature value represents the average daily temperature for that season.


This is the assumed depth of the thawed/frozen interface during Early Spring.  The thawed portion of the base and/or soil is assumed to have a high moisture content and low modulus.  The seasonal moduli for each layer can be viewed in Advanced Structure.


AASHTO, American Association State Highway Transportation Officials, 1993 Guide Design Pavement Structures
American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials

444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 624-5800

Fax: (202) 624-5806

Email: info@aashto.org

http://transportation.org/aashto/organization.nsf/allpages/AboutUs


TONN, FWD, Benkelman Beam, Spring load restrictions, deflections, allowable load
Flexible Pavement Overlays

[According to TONN]

1.	Convert the FWD deflections to Benkelman Beam equivalents, BB.

For Conventional Pavements:

BB = 5.15 + 1.05 x D1(9k)

For Fulldepth Pavements:

BB = 3.8 + D1(9k)

Where:	BB = Equivalent Benkelman Beam deflection, in mils

D1(9k) = FWD No.1 sensor deflection normalized to 9,000 lbs, in mils

2.	Correct the individual deflections, BB to 80°F

Where:	Hac = Surface thickness (in)

T = Mid-depth pavement temperature (°F)

T80 = 80°F

BB0 = Computed Benkelman Beam deflection (mils)

BB80 = Temperature corrected Benkelman Beam deflection (mils)

3.	Convert the “Present Deflection” to “Spring Deflection”, BBS by multiplying BB80 by the appropriate deflection ratio.

from Deflection Ratios Tables

Procedure 1 – Find the Allowable Load for a given overlay thickness

Procedure 2 – Find the Overlay Thickness for a given allowable load


TONN, FWD, Benkelman Beam, Spring load restrictions, deflections, allowable load
Procedure 1 – Find the Allowable Load for a given overlay thickness

4.	Compute new “Spring Deflection” , BBSnew by multiplying original “Spring Deflection”, BBSorig by the appropriate reduction factor.

BBSnew = BBSorig x (1-Rol)	(Compound rate)

where:	R = Reduction Rate (typ 0.11)

ol = Overlay Thickness

5.	Find the “Allowable Deflection” for the particular pavement and Traffic.

AD Allowable Spring Deflection = 0 9 x Allowable Spring Deflection

from Allowable Spring Deflections Table

6.	Compute the “Allowable Spring Axle Load”.

Allowable Spring Axle Load, LA

LA = 10 x AD/BBSnew


TONN, FWD, Benkelman Beam, Spring load restrictions, deflections, allowable load
Procedure 2 – Find the Overlay Thickness for a given allowable load

4.	Input New Allowable Load Limit, LA

Allowable Load, LA = 10 x AD/BBS

where:	AD = Allowable Deflection

5.	Find the “Allowable Deflection” for the particular pavement and Traffic.

from Allowable Spring Deflections Table

AD = 0.9 x Allowable Spring Deflection

6.	Compare Allowable Deflection to BBS

a) AD > BBS	ok

b) AD [image] BBS

i)	Increase Thickness

ii)	Compute New BBS

iii)	Find New Allowable Deflection, AD

iv)	Compare AD to New BBS

v)	Continue until AD > BBS

7.	Overlay Thickness = Total Added Thickness


TONN, FWD, Benkelman Beam, Spring load restrictions, deflections, allowable load, data tables
Deflection ratios to calculate critical spring deflections from

deflections taken during other non-frozen times of the year (1983 Revision)

PLASTIC EMBANKMENTS

Asphalt	Date of Test
Surface	5/1	5/16	6/1	6/16	7/1	7/16	8/1	8/16	9/1
Thickness	5/15	5/31	6/15	6/30	7/15	7/31	8/15	8/31	9/30
2 in.	1.12	1.29	1.44	1.53	1.60	1.65	1.69	1.73	1.79
> 2  3½ in.	1.17	1.34	1.50	1.59	1.63	1.67	1.71	1.73	1.75
> 3½  5½ in.	1.14	1.24	1.37	1.43	1.50	1.58	1.64	1.70	1.71
> 5½  8 in.	1.17	1.25	1.25	1.25	1.26	1.30	1.41	1.50	1.55
> 8 in. Conventional	1.13	1.18	1.16	1.13	1.15	1.18	1.29	1.37	1.45
> 8 in. Full-Depth	1.12	1.16	1.16	1.10	1.09	1.15	1.33	1.46	1.55
SEMI-PLASTIC EMBANKMENTS

Asphalt	Date of Test
Surface	5/1	5/16	6/1	6/16	7/1	7/16	8/1	8/16	9/1
Thickness	5/15	5/31	6/15	6/30	7/15	7/31	8/15	8/31	9/30
5 in.	1.16	1.35	1.40	1.50	1.52	1.51	1.48	1.46	1.45
> 5 in.	1.29	1.40	1.46	1.50	1.54	1.58	1.64	1.69	1.71
NON-PLASTIC EMBANKMENTS

Asphalt	Date of Test
Surface	5/1	5/16	6/1	6/16	7/1	7/16	8/1	8/16	9/1
Thickness	5/15	5/31	6/15	6/30	7/15	7/31	8/15	8/31	9/30
2 in.	1.30	1.41	1.72	1.79	1.83	1.83	1.88	1.88	1.88
> 2  5½ in.	1.21	1.36	1.47	1.53	1.58	1.56	1.52	1.49	1.44
> 5½  8 in.	1.00	1.02	0.98	1.00	1.05	1.05	1.07	1.11	1.11
Allowable Spring Deflections

Traffic: Two-Way HCADT	< 50	50 - 100	100 - 150	> 150
Two-Way ADT	< 500	500 - 1000	1000 - 3000	> 3000
Bituminous Surface Thickness	Allowable Deflection (mils)
< 3 in.	75	70	60	45
3 to 6 in.	65	60	50	40
> 6 in.	55	50	40	35


R-Value, pavement design, flexible, asphalt, bituminous, GE, granular equivalent, ESAL, ESALs, equivalent single axle load, soil, test
R-Value Flexible Pavement Design

Traditional R-Value Design (for comparison).

R-Value (Resistance Value) is an index value based on a soil’s resistance to compression.  It is measured in the laboratory on a cylindrical soil sample.

R-Value pavement design determines the required thickness (in GE units) of HMA aggregate base and subbase layers based on forecast traffic (ESALs) and soil R-Value.

R-Value Flexible Pavement Design Chart


R-Value Design cannot be used for overlays.


R-Value, pavement design, flexible, GE, granular equivalent, asphalt, bituminous, soil, aggregate, granular, base, subbase
Granular Equivalent (GE)

Granular Equivalent is a measure of layer thickness used in the R-Value pavement design method.  It is expressed in inches, and is an indicator of a material’s bearing capacity relative to Minnesota Class 5 aggregate.  The R-Value design procedure produces a required GE value corresponding to the amount of support required above the soil layer.  The required GE is met by placing a flexible pavement layer and one or more granular layers above the soil.  The total GE is calculated by summing the thickness of each layer (in inches) multiplied by the GE value for the material in that layer.