 PaveCool Help Index

Commands

File menu

             View menu

Help menu


File menu commands
File Menu

The File menu offers the following commands:

New	Creates a new PaveCool document.
Open	Opens an existing PaveCool 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 summary of PaveCool output.
Print Preview	Displays the document on the screen as it would appear printed.
Print Setup	Selects a printer and printer connection.
Exit	Exits PaveCool.


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands: PaveCool

Toolbar	Shows or hides the toolbar.
Status Bar	Shows or hides the status bar.
24 Hour Time	Switches between AM/PM and 24 hour time modes.


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.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your PaveCool session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.

Shortcuts

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

Keys:	ALT+F4


View Toolbar command
Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar.  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 PaveCool,

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


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 PaveCool 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.


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 PaveCool 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 PaveCool.


File New command
New command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new document in PaveCool.

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 PaveCool (*.mpv) extension.

List Files of Type

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

Directories

Select the directory where the PaveCool is located.


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, PaveCool 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.  PaveCool 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.  PaveCool 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 PaveCool session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  PaveCool prompts you to save documents with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

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

Keys:	ALT+F4


Title Bar

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 PaveCool 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.


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.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	CTRL+F4 closes a document window


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.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.


 Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document.   This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


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.


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.

Shortcut

Toolbar:


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.


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.


Page Setup command (File menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Paving Time

The time is used in order to determine the angle of the sun for the calculation of net solar flux.  The time entered here should be the start time of the paving operation.

To select the date, click the down arrow at the right of the date box.  Click on the desired date.  Use the left and right arrows at the top to select a different month.

Time can be entered in AM/PM or 24 hour format.  It is not necessary to type a colon (:) between the hour and minutes.  For ordinary daytime hours, AM or PM need not be typed.  The program assumes times from 6:00 to 11:59 are AM and 12:00 to 5:00 are PM.  To enter times outside of these ranges, type AM or PM after the time (an "a" or "p" will suffice).  Another alternative is to type the time in 24 hour format (values less than 1000 must include the preceding zero, as in 0915).  If the time is on the hour, the minutes need not be typed (Typing "1" will result in 1:00 PM; "01" or "1a" will result in 1:00 AM).

The default time format is AM/PM.  To view the time in 24 hour format, select this option on the View menu.


Environmental Conditions

1. Ambient Air Temperature

2. Average Wind Speed

3. Sky Conditions


Sky Conditions

This is used in the solar heating equation during daylight hours and the radiative cooling equation during nighttime.

One of the following sky conditions may be selected:

Level	Condition	Description
1	Clear & Dry	Use only with low humidity and/or high altitudes.
2	Hazy	Typical sunny day during the summer months.
3	Partly Cloudy	Clouds block the sun/sky half the time.
4	Mostly Cloudy	Clouds block the sun/sky three-quarters of the time.
5	Overcast	Clouds completely block the sun/sky.


Latitude

This is used, along with the time and date, to calculate the sun’s position in the sky at the time of paving.  It applies only to the Northern Hemisphere.  The degree latitude may be any value between 0 and 90 with the default at 45 degrees.

Here are some Minnesota cities and corresponding latitudes:

City	Degree Latitude
Minneapolis/St Paul, MN	45
Rochester, MN	44
Duluth, MN	47


Ambient Air Temperature

This is the local, average, air temperature during paving. It may be determined from the local weather report.  The air temperature is used to calculate how fast the heat will be lost to the surrounding air.  The default temperature is 10 °C (50 °F).

The following range of temperatures may be used in PaveCool:

Minimum	Maximum

-40 °F	120 °F

-40 °C	48.9 °C


Average Wind Speed

This is one of the more important parameters and may be difficult to determine correctly.  Wind velocity has a significant effect on the cooling rate of hot-mix asphalt under most operating conditions.

The wind speed may be predicted from the local weather report, measured at the job site, or estimated using the following criteria:

Beaufort Scale:  Specifications and Equivalent Speeds from Observers Handbook, Meteorological Office, 1982, UK.

Force	Description	Specifications	Wind Speed
0	Calm	Smoke rises vertically.	0 - 1 mph 0 - 2 km/h
1	Light Air	Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by wind vanes.	1 - 3 mph 2 - 5 km/h
2	Light Breeze	Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vanes moved by wind	4 - 7 mph 6 - 11 km/h
3	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag.	8 - 12 mph 12 - 20 km/h
4	Moderate Breeze	Wind raises dust and light paper.  Small branches are moved.	13 - 18 mph 21 - 30 km/h
5	Fresh Breeze	Small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters.	19 - 24 mph 31 - 39 km/h
6	Strong Breeze	Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telegraph wires; umbrellas used with difficulty.	25 - 31 mph 40 - 50 km/h
7	Near Gale	Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt when walking into wind.	32 - 38 mph 51 - 61 km/h
8	Gale	Wind breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress.	39 - 46 mph 62 - 74 km/h


Net Solar Flux


Mix Specifications

The following mix characteristics must be specified.

1. Mixture Type

2. Asphalt PG Grade

3. Lift Thickness

4. Delivery Temperature


Mixture Type

There are currently two types of asphalt mixtures available in PaveCool.  Specifying the type automatically sets the material properties that will be used in the heat flow calculations.  The materials are:

Fine / Dense Graded

Coarse / Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)

NOTE:  No distinction has been made between virgin or recycled mixtures or the type of aggregate used.


Lift Thickness

This is the final, compacted, lift thickness.  Values may be entered in the following range:

Minimum	Maximum	Default
0.5 in.	10.0 in.	3.0 in.
13 mm	254 mm	76 mm


Delivery Temperature

This is the temperature that the mix is delivered into the paver’s hopper.  This can be specified and/or measured on the site.  The following range may be entered:

Minimum	Maximum	Default
150 °F	350 °F	300 °F
66 °C	177 °C	149 °C

Caution must be used in increasing mix temperatures to gain paving time.  Heating asphalt above its working temperature range may prematurely harden it, causing performance problems such as raveling or cracking.  Additionally, a mix that is too cool will be difficult to compact.  Consult the asphalt supplier to find out the maximum and minimum temperatures at which the material should be placed.


Dense Graded and Superpave-Fine Mixtures

An example of the Mn/DOT 47B dense gradation is shown in the figure below.

This gradation was used on the Highway 169 Project near Mankato, MN.

An example of a Superpave - Fine gradation is shown below.

Note that the gradation passes above the restricted zone.

The dense graded and Superpave-fine mixtures have the following material properties:

Thermal Conductivity	Density	Specific Heat


SMA and Superpave-Coarse Mixtures

SMA stands for Stone Matrix Asphalt and is a relatively coarse gradation.

An example of an SMA gradation is shown in the figure below.

The Superpave-Coarse gradation passes below the restricted zone.

An example is shown in the figure below.

The SMA and Superpave-Coarse mixtures have the following material properties:

Thermal Conductivity	Density	Specific Heat


Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity, k, is used as a proportionality constant in the heat conduction equation described by Fourier’s law.  The law states that the heat flux, in a given direction, is proportional to the temperature gradient in that direction.  One dimensional steady-state heat conduction is described by the following differential equation:

where:

= heat flux in direction z

k = thermal conductivity

= change in temperature with depth

Reference:

Chadbourn, B.A., Newcomb, D.E., Voller, V.R., De Sombre, R.A., Luoma, J.A., and Timm, D.H., “An Asphalt Paving Tool for Adverse Conditions,” Final Report MN/RC - 1998-18, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Research Administration, St. Paul, MN, June 1998.


Specific Heat

Specific heat (or specific heat capacity) is defined here as the amount of energy (Joules) required to raise 1 kg of substance by 1 C and is used with density and thermal conductivity to determine thermal diffusivity.


Thermal Diffusivity

Thermal diffusivity is a measure of heat propagation speed.  It is calculated by:

where:

α = thermal diffusivity

k = thermal conductivity

ρ = density

= specific heat

Reference:

Chadbourn, B.A., Newcomb, D.E., Voller, V.R., De Sombre, R.A., Luoma, J.A., and Timm, D.H., “An Asphalt Paving Tool for Adverse Conditions,” Final Report MN/RC - 1998-18, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Research Administration, St. Paul, MN, June 1998.


Existing Surface Conditions

The following characteristics must be specified with regard to the existing surface that the hot mix asphalt will be placed upon:

1. Material Type

2. Moisture Content

3. State of Moisture

4. Surface Temperature


Base Material Type

There are currently four types of base materials available in PaveCool.  Specifying the type automatically sets the material properties that will be used in the heat flow calculations.  The materials are:

AC

PCC

Granular base

Subgrade soil


Model Output

PaveCool determines the amount of time it will take an HMA lift to cool to the designated stop temperature.  The times are given in minutes and the corresponding temperatures are also shown.  The temperature corresponds to the average lift temperature.

Recommended times for starting and stopping the rolling operation are also provided:


Units

The user may specify either SI (Metric) or English units.  The data may be entered in one system of units and then converted choosing the other system.  The following conversions are used in PaveCool.

Temperature

Wind Speed

Lift Thickness


Export Data

Clicking on this button will enable the user to export the current data.  Note that this option is only available after the calculate button has been clicked.  After clicking, a new dialog box will open as shown below.

Enter the filename in the edit control box.  Data can be saved in Excel (xls), tab-delimited text (txt), or comma-delimited text (csv) format.  Providing the extension “xls” will allow the file to be automatically opened in Excel.  However, the file is just tab delimited and can be opened in any type of spreadsheet or text editor.


Project Title

Enter a project title to identify the route number and location of the project for future reference.  This title will be included in printed output and exported files.


Print Output

Data can be sent directly to a printer.

Print Preview allows the printout to be previewed on the computer.


Save

Data can be saved as a PaveCool (pcl) file that can be opened in PaveCool at a later time.


Calculate

Click on this button after the correct data has been entered into the edit controls to run the cooling simulation.


General Procedure

Follow these steps to perform a pavement cooling simulation.

1. Enter a project title

2. Choose a system of units.

3. Enter the start time and date of paving.

4. Enter the environmental conditions.

5. Enter the mix specifications.

6. Enter the existing surface conditions.

7. Click on the Calculate button to run simulation.

After a simulation has been run, the user may do any of the following.

1. Evaluate the output on screen.

2. Print the data.

3. Export the data.

4. Save the PaveCool File.

Perform another simulation by changing input parameters.


Asphalt Performance Grade

The Performance Grade (PG) of the asphalt dictates the recommended start compaction temperature.  The user must specify the high and low temperatures which make up the grading system.

The following guidelines are used in PaveCool:

PG 58 or greater => Start compaction when lift has cooled to 120 °C (248 °F)

PG 52 or lower => Start compaction when lift has cooled to 110 °C (230 °F)

Warning:

These recommended temperatures may not be applicable to all situations.  Judgment must be used in order to achieve a properly compacted surface.

Note:

The recommended start temperatures are based upon a limited database developed at the University of Minnesota by Rachel De Sombre and David Newcomb.  They reflect compaction data collected from field projects around the state.

For more information regarding performance grading consult:

“Superpave Level 1 Mix Design”, Superpave Series No. 2 (SP-2), Asphalt Institute.


Asphalt Concrete and Portland Cement Concrete Base

The existing surface is made of AC or PCC with the following thermal properties:

Material	Thermal Conductivity	Density	Specific Heat
AC
PCC


Granular Base and Subgrade Soil

The existing surface is made of either coarse or fine unbound materials.  Sand or gravel constitutes granular base material while silt or clay constitutes subgrade soils.

The moisture content of these materials is important since it affects the thermal properties.  In PaveCool there are two moisture contents to choose from:

Wet: moisture content > optimum

Dry: moisture content < optimum

The state of moisture of these materials is important since it affect the thermal properties.  In PaveCool there are two states of moisture to choose from:

Frozen: Temperature < 0 °C (32 °F)

Unfrozen: Temperature > 0 °C (32 °F)

The following tables contain the pertinent material properties in addition to the equations and references used to determine the values.

Thermal Conductivity Values

Specific Heat Values


Thermal Conductivity Values (Unbound Materials)

Definition

Color Codes

Typical Compacted Densities

Optimum Moisture Content

PaveCool Thermal Conductivity (Dry)

PaveCool Thermal Conductivity (Wet)

Reference for moisture contents and densities:

Atkins, H.N., Highway Materials, Soils, and Concretes, Third Edition, Prentice-Hall, Columbus, Ohio, 1997.

Equations

Fine Unfrozen	for

Fine Frozen	for

Coarse Unfrozen	for

Coarse Frozen	for

where:

k = thermal conductivity,

γd = dry unit weight, pcf

ω = gravimetric moisture content, %

Reference:

Kersten, M.S., "Thermal Properties of Soils," Bulletin No. 28, University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Engineering Experiment Station, Vol. 52, n. 21, June 1, 1949.


Specific Heat Values (Unbound Materials)

Definition

Color Codes

Typical Compacted Densities

Optimum Moisture Content

PaveCool Specific Heat (Dry)

PaveCool Specific Heat (Wet)

Equations

where:

= specific heat (unfrozen)

= specific heat (frozen)

= dry unit weight of soil

= unit weight of water

= gravimetric moisture content, %

= specific heat of water = 4187

Reference:

Farouki, O.T., Thermal Properties of Soils, Trans Tech Publications, 1986.


Existing Surface Temperature

This is the average starting surface temperature of the base material.  It is recommended that this be set to the ambient air temperature value unless there is a reason not to, i.e. there has been a significant change in the air temperature over the last 48 hours.  The default value is 10 °C (50 °F).

The following range of base temperatures may be used in PaveCool:

Minimum	Maximum

-40 °F	165 °F

-40 C	73.9 °C


Information about PaveCool

PaveCool was developed under a project funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation at the University of Minnesota.  The following references document the development of PaveCool.

Development of PaveCool:

V. R. Voller, D. E. Newcomb, B. Chadbourn, R. De Sombre, D. Timm, and J. A. Luoma, “A Computer Tool for Predicting for Cooling of Asphalt Pavements,” Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Cold Regions Engineering, Duluth, Minnesota, September 27-30, 1998, pp. 661-671.

Chadbourn, B. A., D. E. Newcomb, V. R. Voller, R. A. DeSombre, J. A. Luoma and D. H. Timm, “An Asphalt Paving Tool for Adverse Conditions,” Final Report, MN/RC-1998-18, Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, MN, 1998.

DeSombre, R.A., Newcomb, D.E., Chadbourn, B.A. and Voller, V.R., “Parameters to Define the Laboratory Compaction Temperature Range of Hot Mix Asphalt,”  Asphalt Paving Technology, Vol. 67, Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, 1998, pp. 125-152.


Limitations

This application can calculate the cooling of a hot-mix asphalt lift.  It is NOT a replacement for good engineering judgment; rather it is a TOOL to give the user insight into how climate conditions will affect their ability to produce a durable, quality road surface.

Cooling rate and compaction are only two of several factors affecting pavement quality.  For further information contact your state department of transportation or your local Asphalt Pavement Association.

Special consideration must be made for polymer modified asphalt binders.  In this case, manufacturer guidelines should supersede recommendations made by this program.

PaveCool is not to be used as a substitute for contract specifications.