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Thank you for the Purchase of ePAVE, version 2.0 - 2004 a product of the Advance Engineering ePAVE Center (AdEC). 2004 1425 The user is requested to read the remarks and instructions in this manual and execute them as . ePAVE needed before using ePAVE

Disclaimer
All reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of the program; however, AdEC can accept no responsibility in its use. Engineering judgment and experience must be used to properly utilize the principles and evaluate the results of this computer program. The user should recognize the big effort by AdEC to develop this program; then, should not allow its illegal use and keep all copyrights to AdEC. AdEC will litigate any unauthorized use of this program.

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It is prohibited to copy or / reproduce this program; it is considered illegal and subject . to the punishment of the law.

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ePAVE User Manual

Version: 2.0 - 2004 SUPERPAVE Mixture Design Software Based on the Asphalt Institute SUPERPAVE Series No. 2 (SP-2) Third Edition, 2001 Printing

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Developed by Dr. Ibrahim A. Al-Dubabe Advanced Engineering Center (AdEC)

P.O Box 8658 - Riyadh 11492 - Saudi Arabia Tel: 00966 1 4567377 Fax: 00966 1 4548166 Web site: www.nasikgroup.com -- email: nasik@zajil.net Copyright: All rights reserved. This Program is Owned by AdEC. Unauthorized Usage or Reproduction is Strictly not Allowed. For An Authorized Copy Please Contact AdEC at 0096614506682 or 00966-505814198

January 2005

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ePAVE User Manual

Version: 2.0, 2004 SUPERPAVE Mixture Design Software
1. Introduction: ePAVE is a computer program based on Microsoft Excel. The main objective of ePAVE is to help Engineers and Technicians in the Highway industry to use SUPERPAVE method for the design and analysis of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). It is designed and based on the popular Microsoft Excel to utilize Excel enormous capabilities and the existing experience of users. ePAVE contains all of the steps and requirements for the mix design as outlined in the Asphalt Institute Superpave Series No. 2 (SP-2) titled Superpave Mix Design, third edition, 2001 printing, the latest release during the preparation of ePAVE (2004). 2. Overview of SUPERPAVE Mix Design Method The HMA mix design using SUPERPAVE method is different than the conventional mix design methods namely Marshall and Hveem. Three main distinguishing conceptual differences are the following: The performance based binder specifications The selection of the design aggregate structure The use of the gyratory compactor. To design any HMA , the designer must go through four steps as shown below.

Design Steps
Step 4: Moisture sensitivity Step 3: Selection of DAC Step 2: Selection of DAS Step 1: Selection of materials
(agg., binder, modifiers, etc.)

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The first step is to select the materials: The Aggregate The binder The modifier The selection process depends on many variables; the reader is referred to SUPERPAVE workshop book issued by AdEC and the Asphalt Institute SP-2 for more details. The second step is to select the design aggregate structure (DAS). Three aggregate gradations are developed based on the hot bins gradation to meet SUPEPAVE control points and restricted zone criteria. The Design is based on a given nominal maximum size. The gyratory compactor is used to compact two specimens for each blend (total 6 x 150 mm specimens) at a computed trial asphalt binder. Then the bulk and maximum specific gravities are measured for each specimen. The height of the specimen at the end of the Nini and Ndes is measured. The data is inputted into ePAVE to compute the properties of the mix for each blend and used to compare with SUPERPAVE criteria to select the most confirming blend. The third step is to select the design asphalt content (DAC). The selected blend from step 2 is used varying the binder content at four levels (-0.5, +0, +0.5, +1.0) to compact two specimens at each level (total 8 x 150 mm specimens). Similar data in the DAS is measured and inputted into ePAVE to select the design asphalt content. Finally, to verify the performance of the mix at the highest anticipated traffic level, two specimens are compacted using the gyratory compactor to Nmax. The fourth step is to check the moisture resistance against water using AASHTO T283. 3. Instructions: ePAVE CD has four file, these are: ePAVE program (Excel format ePAVE.xls) ePAVE Example (Excel Format ePAVE Example.xls) SUPEPRPAVE workshop book (Acrobat reader format handout of the SUPERPAVE workshop.pdf) ePAVE manual (Acrobat reader format ePAVE Manual.pdf)) 3.1 ePAVE Setup: The setup process is simple, do the following: Create a folder and name it (SUPEPRPVE) Copy the content of the ePAVE CD to this folder Now you are ready to use and view the files by clicking a file to start it. 3.2 Using ePAVE To use ePAVE Note the following: Star Excel. For best results select the full screen view from the view menu. Start ePAVE by clicking on the ePAVE program file Input the password (adec12345) The following screen will appear Second Edition November / 2004

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Click on the read only to start ePAVE. This is important to protect the main ePAVE file from overwriting and allow the user to select an appropriate file name such as the project name and layer type for example, to save the workbook after data input and analysis. The opening menu will appear as shown below

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Important Note: The user must make sure that the sheet tabs and row & column headers are disabled; if not go to tools>>> options >> view >>> unselect row & column hears and the sheet tabs (see below). This is very important because ePAVE is design as a menu driven program that will organize and systemize the design process

Click here to start ePAVE, the main menu will appear as shown below.

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To go back to the opening menu click about ePAVE To start inputting data click on project information To generate copies of the SUPERPAVE forms click design forms.

3.3 Inputting data Start by the project information; fill up the data in the green cells as needed. Note the small red triangle on the right top corner of any cell, pointing by the mouse to that location will open a comment box that contains an important information or hint. After inputting all the project and design parameters, click main menu to go back.

Click on the SUPERPAVE criteria to go to the input screen of the mixture requirements, again fill the green cells with appropriate data as needed. For a quick reference of the general SUPERPAVE requirements, ePAVE provides that if the user clicks on the labeled box.

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Select the binder data to go to the input screen shown below; input all data in the green cells as needed.

Now, the basic information of the design has been inputted, the designer starts the design process by selecting the aggregate data and mix design from the main menu. The following screen will appear, input the aggregate physical properties and gradation as needed.

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Then select the appropriate nominal maximum size for which you are designing from the screen below noting that the reminder of the design process (except the moisture sensitivity) depends on NMS, do not click on the other NMS which are not applicable to your case as this could yield a wrong design. Always notice the yellow box on the top showing the NMS and it is the one you are designing for.

Input the suggested blending percentage from each hot bin and for each blend. Alter the values of percentages as needed to produce a gradation that is within the control points and outside the restricted zone and is in the fine, middle and coarse side.

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Note the decisions and results of the values compared to SUPERPAVE criteria that are automatically obtained by ePAVE. Verify the NMS. And note the computed values of the combined aggregate properties as derived from the blending percentage by ePAVE. Click on the bottom box to proceed to the computation and input of the densification data for the trial blends. No input in this screen, it is all computed values

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Click on the densification data input, to go to the input screen. Note that it is not needed to input that complete densification data, unless the user wants to. It is enough to input the summary table on the bottom of the screen.

After inputting all the DAS densification data, go back to the DAS analysis and results screen; study the results and select the appropriate blend to carry it to the next step, the DAC. Click on the bottom box to go to DAC step. Second Edition November / 2004

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Input the required values for the selected blend in the green cells. Complete the input of the densification data for the DAC, but, note again, that it is not needed to input the complete densification data, unless the user wants to. It is enough to input the summary table on the bottom of the screen. Click on the box on the bottom of the screen to View/Print the computation of the volumetric properties and the evaluation of the design asphalt content and select the asphalt content meeting SUPERPAVE criteria.

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View and print the design curves, then select the asphalt binder content that provides 4.0% air void, read the corresponding values for VMA and VFA and obtain the Nmax verification values as outlined in the design method and Input all values in the appropriate cells. ePAVE will tell you whether the design meets SUPEPRAVE criteria or not.

Click the bottom box to go to the moisture sensitivity evaluation step.

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Input the data in the green cells as needed and this concludes the design process.

3.4 Printing Report After completing the input of each screen, the user can print the page. After collecting all printouts (13 pages) , the design report is ready to be submitted to the MOT and the consultant, with a letter summarizing the report. Second Edition November / 2004