Top-Down Cracking of Hot-Mix Asphalt Layers: Models for Initiation and Propagation (2010)

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C-i APPENDIX C. SIMULATION TOOLS

C-ii TABLE OF CONTENTS page TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ C-ii APPENDIX C SIMULATION TOOLS ........................................................................................................C-1 C.1 Simulation Tools for the VECD-Based Model ..............................................................C-1 C.2 Simulation Tools for the HMA-FM-Based Model ........................................................C-2 C.2.1 Instructions regarding Use ...................................................................................C-3 C.2.1.1 Installation of the simulation package .......................................................C-3 C.2.1.2 Crack initiation simulation (CIS) ..............................................................C-4 C.2.1.3 Crack growth simulation (CGS) ................................................................C-4

C-1 CHAPTER 3 SIMULATION TOOLS C.1 Simulation Tools for the VECD-Based Model The VECD-based model was programmed in C++ and compiled using Microsoft Visual Studio. The resulting product, named the VECD-FEP++ (or simply FEP++) simulation package, allows the evaluation of top-down cracking mechanisms and the prediction of crack initiation. This simulation package has been compressed into one installer file, i.e., 'FEP++.exe', and stored in a CD entitled "Simulation Tools and Report Appendices for NCHRP Project 01-42A" (under the directory: CD_NCHRP1-42A\1.VECD\). The FEP++ can be installed in the target machine by double-clicking the installer file, which will launch the installation wizard. The wizard then guides the rest of the installation procedure. Once the installation is completed successfully, an entry for the FEP++ should appear in the Start Menu of Windows. At the same time, a folder named FEP++ should appear under the installation directory which includes: • doc (Word help files) • FEP++_Manual.doc • Tutorial to Run the Examples.doc • Example (example database files) • Four sub-folders, each of which includes an example • One output sub-folder (output files for all example cases) • FEP++ (finite element engine) • images (bitmap and icon files) • default (default database file) • Gui.exe (preprocessor GUI) • license

C-2 • msvcr70d.dll (and other dll-files) • README Information regarding the FEP++ program design and a demonstration of the data entry windows is provided in the 'FEP++ manual.doc' file. Detailed explanations for running FEP++ simulations are provided in the 'Tutorial to Run the Examples.doc' file. Both of these files are located in the "doc" folder of the installation directory. In addition, a postprocessor must be installed in the target machine before launching the graphic user interface (GUI) of the FEP++, i.e., the preprocessor. Currently, Tecplot 360 (a trial version) is used as the postprocessor, which can be downloaded from the Tecplot website, i.e., http://tecplot.com/. The instructions to be followed for installation are provided on the website. Once the postprocessor is installed in the target machine successfully, the path to Tec360.exe should be <Tecplot_root>\Tec360 2009\bin (which must be verified in the PATH variable of the user’s particular system). It should be noted that the Tecplot free trial version works for 14 days only. C.2 Simulation Tools for the HMA-FM-Based Model The HMA-FM-based model, after being integrated with the simplified crack initiation model, was programmed and compiled using the commercial software MATLAB (v7.0.4). The resulting product, named the enhanced HMA fracture mechanics (HMA-FM-E) simulation package, allows the prediction of top-down cracking initiation and propagation in HMA layers. The HMA-FM-E simulator is provided on the same CD as mentioned above (under the directory: CD_NCHRP1-42A\2.HMAFM\), including the following contents: • An executive file, i.e., 'MCRInstaller.exe'. The MATLAB Compiler Runtime (MCR) is a standalone set of shared libraries that enable the execution of M-files. It provides complete support for all features of MATLAB without the MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI). Therefore, it is required to run 'MCRInstaller.exe' to install the MCR (v7.2) if it is not available in the target computer.

C-3 • A folder (named EHMAFM_Model) which was divided into following two sub-folders according to the specific function of each, • "CIS_Files", containing executable codes to perform crack initiation simulation. • "CGS_Files", including executable codes to simulate crack propagation. • An MSWord file, i.e., 'Example Simulation.doc' which documented one example used to demonstrate the capabilities of the predictive model. • A read-me file ('Readme.doc') explains how to install the MCR into the target machine if needed, and how to use the executable codes (placed in the EHMAFM_Model folder) to simulate the example problem documented in 'Example Simulation.doc'. C.2.1 Instructions regarding Use C.2.1.1 Installation of the simulation package • Verify that 1) a MATLAB Compiler Runtime (MCR) is installed on the target computer, and 2) the installed version is 7.2. • If any one of the above conditions is not satisfied, copy the 'MCRInstaller.exe' file to the target computer and install the MCR on the computer by double clicking the icon and then proceed as follows: • When the MATLAB Component Runtime startup screen appears, click Next to begin the installation. • The setup wizard starts. Click Next to continue. • The Select Installation Folder dialog lets you choose where you want to install the MCR. This dialog also lets you view available and required disk space on your system. You can also choose whether you want to install the MCR for just yourself or others. Select your options, and then click Next to continue. • Confirm your selections by clicking Next. The installation begins. The process takes some time due to the quantity of files that are installed. • When the installation completes, click Close on the Installation Completed dialog to exit. • After the MCR is installed, add the MCR directory to the system path specified by the target system's environment variable. On windows system: Add the following pathname: <mcr_root>\v72\runtime\win32 to the PATH environment variable, by doing the following: • Select the My Computer icon on your desktop. • Right-click the icon and select Properties from the menu. • Select the Advanced tab.

C-4 • Click Environment Variables. Note: <mcr_root> is the directory where MCR is installed on the target machine. For example, it is C:\Program Files\MathWorks\MATLAB Component Runtime, if you choose the default location for installation. • Copy the folder EHMAFM_Model directly to C drive. C.2.1.2 Crack initiation simulation (CIS) • Go to <EHAMFM root>, Click CIS_Files (Note: <EHMAFM root> is the directory of C:\EHMAFM_Model\). • Prepare Inputs. Go to CIS_Files\examples\ex1_i\input\, including two files: • tmpt.dat (data file for asphalt concrete layer temperatures) • Example1_I.xls (other information required for example 1, also refer to the doc- file: 'Example Simulation') • Copy these two files back to <EHMAFM root>\CIS_Files\, and then make changes in them if necessary for your simulation purpose. • Run 'CracInitSmuA.exe' (in DOS-mode, under <EHAMFM root>\CIS_Files\). • After the simulation is completed, Find and Copy 'CIShistory.out' to <EHAMFM root>\CGS_Files\examples\ex1_p\input\, which will be used as one of the inputs for Crack Growth Simulation). C.2.1.3 Crack growth simulation (CGS) • Go to <EHAMFM root>, Click CGS_Files. • Prepare Inputs. Go to CGS_Files\examples\ex1_p\input\, including three files: • tmpt.dat (data file for asphalt concrete layer temperatures) • Example1_P.xls (other information required for example 1, also refer to the doc- file: 'Example Simulation') • CIShistory.out • Copy these files back to <EHMAFM root>\CGS_Files\, and then make changes in the first two files if necessary for your simulation purpose. • Run 'CracGrowSmuA2.exe' (in DOS-mode, under <EHMAFM root>\CGS_Files\). • After the simulation is completed, Save 'CGhistory.out' (and other outputs if necessary).