Computer-Based Guidelines for Concrete 

Pavements, HIPERPAV III®, Version 3.3 

User‘s Manual 

PUBLICATION NO. FHWA-HRT-14-087 MAY 2015

Research, Development, and Technology

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

6300 Georgetown Pike

McLean, VA 22101-2296
FOREWORD

The HIgh PERformance PAVing (HIPERPAV®) software program allows users to predict earlyage concrete pavement behavior based on user-defined input for environmental, design, and 

construction condition. The user input includes variables such as ambient weather conditions, 

thickness of pavement, mix design, time of placement, and type of curing. Mathematical models 

then calculate the progression of the concrete’s strength gain and developing stresses at the early 

age after placement. HIPERPAV® was first released in 1996, followed by an updated version in 

2005. In 2010, HIPERPAV III®, version 3.2, was released with enhanced moisture transport 

modeling. 

The new version of software, HIPERPAV III®, version 3.3, includes two new features: 

automated downloading of weather data from the National Weather Service Web site and the 

addition of slag aggregate input. The new default values for the coefficient of thermal expansion 

of Portland cement concrete were also incorporated. This manual provides general instruction on 

the use and application of the software program, which can be very helpful to engineers, 

contractors, and concrete suppliers. HIPERPAV® can be used during planning, design, 

construction, and post-construction evaluation phases. Typical applications include optimizing 

pavement designs and construction methods thereby preventing the need for expensive pavement 

repairs in the future, developing project quality control specifications to ensure optimized 

methods are followed, and conducting forensic investigations to identify potential early-age 

factors that may have led to specific performance patterns after construction.

Jorge E. Pagán-Ortiz

Director, Office of Infrastructure

Research and Development

Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation

in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of

the information contained in this document.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or

manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the

objective of the document.

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve

Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards

and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its

information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to 

ensure continuous quality improvement.

i
TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

1. Report No.

FHWA-HRT-14-087

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Computer-Based Guidelines for Concrete Pavements, HIPERPAV 

III®, Version 3.3 User’s Manual

5. Report Date

March 2015

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

J. Mauricio Ruiz, Sabrina Garber, Jason C. Dick

8. Performing Organization 

Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

The Transtec Group, Inc.

6111 Balcones Drive

Austin, TX 78731

10. Work Unit No.

11. Contractor Grant No.

DTFH61-10-P-00186

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 

Office of Engineering and Highway Operations R&D

Federal Highway Administration

6300 Georgetown Pike

McLean, VA 22101-2296

13.Type of Report 

User’s Manual

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

Contracting Officer’s Representative: Fred Faridazar, HRDI-20

16. Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration’s HIgh PERformance PAVing (HIPERPAV®) software program 

has been upgraded to include the following new features in its latest version, HIPERPAV III®, 

version 3.3: 

• The coarse aggregate input now includes an option for use of blast furnace slag aggregate. 

• The user has the ability to download forecasted weather data from the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Web site and have that data automatically

entered as inputs for ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and cloud coverage.

This report serves as the user’s manual for the HIPERPAV III®, version 3.3, software. Users can 

download the software at the following URL: 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/software/research/infrastructure/pavements/hiperpav/ver3-3.

17. Key Words

Portland Cement Concrete Pavement; High Performance 

Concrete Pavements; Jointed Concrete Pavement; JCP; 

JPCP; PCCP; Fast Track; HIPERPAV; Early Age Behavior; 

Mechanistic and Mechanistic-Empirical Models; Slag 

Aggregate; Coefficient of Thermal Expansion; Temperature; 

Heat of Hydration; Slab; Shrinkage; Slab Base Friction; 

Curling; Warping; Plastic Shrinkage; Cracking.

18. Distribution Statement

No restrictions. This document is 

available to the public through the 

National Technical Information 

Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

http://www.ntis.gov

19. Security Classif. (of this report) 

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21 .No. of Pages

83

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
SI* (MODERN METRIC) CONVERSION FACTORS 

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS TO SI UNITS

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol 

LENGTH

in inches 25.4 millimeters mm 

ft feet 0.305 meters m 

yd yards 0.914 meters m 

mi miles 1.61 kilometers km 

AREA 

in2 square inches 645.2 square millimeters mm2

ft2 square feet 0.093 square meters m2

yd2 square yard 0.836 square meters m2

ac acres 0.405 hectares ha

mi2 square miles 2.59 square kilometers km2

VOLUME 

fl oz fluid ounces 29.57 milliliters mL 

gal gallons 3.785 liters L 

ft3 cubic feet 0.028 cubic meters m3 

yd3 cubic yards 0.765 cubic meters m3 

NOTE: volumes greater than 1000 L shall be shown in m3

MASS oz ounces 28.35 grams g

lb pounds 0.454 kilograms kg

T short tons (2000 lb) 0.907 megagrams (or "metric ton") Mg (or "t") 

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees) o

F Fahrenheit 5 (F-32)/9 Celsius oC 

or (F-32)/1.8 

ILLUMINATION 

fc foot-candles 10.76 lux lx

fl foot-Lamberts 3.426 candela/m2 cd/m2

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS 

lbf poundforce 4.45 newtons N 

lbf/in2 poundforce per square inch 6.89 kilopascals kPa 

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS FROM SI UNITS 

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol 

LENGTH mm millimeters 0.039 inches in 

m meters 3.28 feet ft 

m meters 1.09 yards yd 

km kilometers 0.621 miles mi 

AREA mm2 square millimeters 0.0016 square inches in2 

m2 square meters 10.764 square feet ft2 

m2 square meters 1.195 square yards yd2 

ha hectares 2.47 acres ac

km2 square kilometers 0.386 square miles mi2 

VOLUME 

mL milliliters 0.034 fluid ounces fl oz 

L liters 0.264 gallons gal 

m3 cubic meters 35.314 cubic feet ft3 

m3 cubic meters 1.307 cubic yards yd3 

MASS 

g grams 0.035 ounces oz

kg kilograms 2.202 pounds lb

Mg (or "t") megagrams (or "metric ton") 1.103 short tons (2000 lb) T 

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees) o

C Celsius 1.8C+32 Fahrenheit o

F 

ILLUMINATION 

lx lux 0.0929 foot-candles fc 

cd/m2 candela/m2 0.2919 foot-Lamberts fl

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS 

N newtons 0.225 poundforce lbf 

kPa kilopascals 0.145 poundforce per square inch lbf/in2

*SI is the symbol for the International System of Units. Appropriate rounding should be made to comply with Section 4 of ASTM E380. 

(Revised March 2003)

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 1

GETTING STARTED.............................................................................................................. 2

CHAPTER 2. EARLY-AGE JPCP PROJECTS ....................................................................... 5

PROJECT INFO....................................................................................................................... 5

Project Information ................................................................................................................. 5

Geography............................................................................................................................... 5

Monthly Weather Data Window............................................................................................. 6

STRATEGIES........................................................................................................................... 7

Strategy Toolbar...................................................................................................................... 9

Strategy Information ............................................................................................................... 9

Design ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Materials and Mix Design Inputs.......................................................................................... 14

Construction.......................................................................................................................... 22

Climate Inputs....................................................................................................................... 27

Analysis................................................................................................................................. 30

Evaporation Rate Analysis.................................................................................................... 32

Dowel Analysis..................................................................................................................... 33

COMPARISONS MODULE ................................................................................................. 34

Quick Compare ..................................................................................................................... 35

Sensitivity Comparisons ....................................................................................................... 36

CHAPTER 3. LONG-TERM JPCP PROJECTS .................................................................... 41

PROJECT INFORMATION................................................................................................. 41

STRATEGIES......................................................................................................................... 41

Strategy Information ............................................................................................................. 42

Performance Parameters ....................................................................................................... 42

Joint Design .......................................................................................................................... 44

Traffic Inputs ........................................................................................................................ 44

Long-Term Analysis............................................................................................................. 47

Multiple Long-Term Comparative Strategies....................................................................... 48

Early-Age and Long-Term JPCP Analysis—Sample Scenario ............................................ 49

CHAPTER 4. EARLY-AGE CRCP ANALYSIS..................................................................... 57

PROJECT INFO..................................................................................................................... 57

STRATEGIES......................................................................................................................... 57

Strategy Information ............................................................................................................. 57

Design Inputs........................................................................................................................ 57

Materials and Mix Design Inputs.......................................................................................... 59

Construction.......................................................................................................................... 59

Environment.......................................................................................................................... 60

Post 72-Hour Temperatures.................................................................................................. 60

CRCP Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 61

Interpretation of CRCP Analysis .......................................................................................... 63

iii
CHAPTER 5. REPORTS........................................................................................................... 65

COMET MODULE ................................................................................................................ 65

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 75

iv
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Screen Capture. Opening window showing the New Project selection window with 

options for type of project to analyze....................................................................................... 3

Figure 2. Screen Capture. Project Information input window under the Project Info tab .............. 4

Figure 3. Screen Capture. Icons for navigation tools in the Geography window........................... 5

Figure 4. Screen Capture. Geography window showing a yellow circle around a yellow point 

to indicate project location and additional yellow points indicating the nearest weather 

stations (Austin, TX)................................................................................................................ 6

Figure 5. Screen Capture. Inputs to the Monthly Weather window. .............................................. 7

Figure 6. Screen Capture. Comparison of Simple and Advanced Views....................................... 8

Figure 7. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu that appears beneath View in the main toolbar........ 8

Figure 8. Screen Capture. Commands on the strategy toolbar. ...................................................... 9

Figure 9. Diagram. Schematic of the geometry input required for a HIPERPAV® analysis....... 10

Figure 10. Screen Capture. Geometry input window under the General category....................... 11

Figure 11. Screen Capture. Inputs for the Dowels window.......................................................... 12

Figure 12. Screen Capture. Slab Support input window in the Advanced View.......................... 13

Figure 13. Screen Capture. Inputs for the Cement window.......................................................... 15

Figure 14. The list of available cement types............................................................................... 15

Figure 15. Screen Capture. Help icon........................................................................................... 15

Figure 16. Screen Capture. Heat of Hydration help window in version 3.3................................. 16

Figure 17. Screen Capture. Inputs for the PCC Mix window....................................................... 17

Figure 18. Screen Capture. List of available coarse aggregate types in the PCC Mix window ... 17

Figure 19. Screen Capture. List of available admixture types in the PCC Mix window.............. 18

Figure 20. Screen Capture. Fly ash class drop-down menu.......................................................... 18

Figure 21. Screen Capture. PCC Properties window for early-age JPCP analysis....................... 18

Figure 22. Screen Capture. List of options for Strength Type in PCC Properties window.......... 19

Figure 23. Screen Capture. Information provided by clicking the help icon under PCC 

Properties window.................................................................................................................. 19

Figure 24. Screen Capture. Illustration of the inputs for calorimetry data. .................................. 21

Figure 25. Screen Capture. Inputs for maturity ............................................................................ 22

Figure 26. Screen Capture. Inputs in the Construction window................................................... 23

Figure 27. Screen Capture. First of three help windows............................................................... 24

Figure 28. Screen Capture. Help window for curing. ................................................................... 25

Figure 29. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu listing choices for curing methods....................... 25

Figure 30. Screen Capture. Help window explaining strength for opening inputs....................... 26

Figure 31. Screen Capture. Climate window with drop-down menu for toggling between 

climatic condition windows ................................................................................................... 27

Figure 32. Screen Capture. Options available to the user for manipulating the graphs. .............. 28

Figure 33. Screen Capture. Warning message advising user of a construction time too far 

into the future for which forecasted data cannot be downloaded........................................... 29

Figure 34. Screen Capture. Simple View analysis window for early-age JPCP........................... 30

Figure 35. Screen Capture. Advanced View Analysis window for early-age JPCP..................... 31

Figure 36. Screen Capture. Advanced View Analysis window showing high risk for 

early-age cracking .................................................................................................................. 32

Figure 37. Screen Capture. Evaporation Rate Analysis window for early-age JPCP analysis..... 33

Figure 38. Screen Capture. Dowel Analysis window for early-age JPCP.................................... 34

v
Figure 39. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Quick Compare window showing the location 

of the Comparisons module in the main toolbar. ................................................................... 35

Figure 40. Screen Capture. Quick Compare Stress-to-Strength Ratio window showing a 

comparison of two strategies.................................................................................................. 36

Figure 41. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Add Sensitivity Comparison wizard. ...................... 37

Figure 42. Screen Capture. Snapshot of Sensitivity Comparisons Stress-to-Strength ratio 

window................................................................................................................................... 38

Figure 43. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Sensitivity Comparison Summary window for 

PCC mix temperature............................................................................................................. 39

Figure 44. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Sensitivity Comparisons Summary window for 

construction time.................................................................................................................... 40

Figure 45. Screen Capture. Strategy type drop-down menu......................................................... 41

Figure 46. Screen Capture. Strategy Information for long-term JPCP analysis. .......................... 42

Figure 47. Screen Capture. Performance Parameters input window for long-term JPCP 

analysis................................................................................................................................... 43

Figure 48. Screen Capture. Load-Transfer Design input window for long-term JPCP 

analysis................................................................................................................................... 44

Figure 49. Screen Capture. General Traffic Loading window for long-term JPCP analysis........ 45

Figure 50. Screen Capture. Single Axle Load window for long-term JPCP analysis. ................. 46

Figure 51. Screen Capture. Growth Rate input window for long-term JPCP analysis................. 47

Figure 52. Screen Capture. Analysis window for long-term JPCP............................................... 48

Figure 53. Drop-down menu for distress to plot........................................................................... 48

Figure 54. Screen Capture. Plot method drop-down menu........................................................... 48

Figure 55. Screen Capture. Icons on Geography toolbar to select Austin, TX............................. 51

Figure 56. Screen Capture. Early-Age Analysis window for the siliceous river gravel 

strategy. .................................................................................................................................. 52

Figure 57. Screen Capture. Early-Age Analysis window for siliceous river gravel strategy ....... 53

Figure 58. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu with “LT JPCP” selected ..................................... 55

Figure 59. Screen Capture. Selection of early-age strategies to compare .................................... 55

Figure 60. Screen Capture. Long-term strategy transverse cracking results. ............................... 56

Figure 61. Screen Capture. Geometry input window for early-age CRCP analysis..................... 58

Figure 62. Screen Capture. Steel Design input window for early-age CRCP analysis. ............... 59

Figure 63. Screen Capture. Early-Age Construction input window for early-age CRCP 

analysis................................................................................................................................... 60

Figure 64. Screen Capture. Post 72-hour Air Temperatures input window for early-age 

CRCP analysis........................................................................................................................ 61

Figure 65. Screen Capture. Analysis window for early-age CRCP.............................................. 62

Figure 66. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu for time period to plot.......................................... 62

Figure 67. Screen Capture. Help icon under CRCP Analysis window......................................... 63

Figure 68. Screen Capture. CRCP analysis with poor cracking characteristics. .......................... 64

Figure 69. Screen Capture. HIPERPAV® Report window .......................................................... 65

Figure 70. Screen Capture. Tools drop-down menu in HIPERPAV® ......................................... 66

Figure 71. Screen Capture. Mix Constituents input window in COMET..................................... 66

Figure 72. Screen Capture. Factor Limits input window in COMET........................................... 67

Figure 73. Screen Capture. Create trial batches command button in Level 1 Outputs................. 67

Figure 74. Screen Capture. Trial batches in kg/m3, gravimetric form.......................................... 68

vi
Figure 75. Screen Capture. Predicted responses for each trial batch............................................ 68

Figure 76. Screen Capture. Lab results window........................................................................... 69

Figure 77. Screen Capture. Desirability function for 28-day strength.......................................... 70

Figure 78. Screen Capture. Level 2 outputs—command to optimize mixes. ............................... 70

Figure 79. Screen Capture. Optimum mixes sorted by desirability in volumetric form............... 71

Figure 80. Screen Capture. Optimum mixtures in terms of optimization factors......................... 72

Figure 81. Screen Capture. Response predictions for optimum mixtures .................................... 72

Figure 82. Screen Capture. Individual response desirabilities for optimum mixtures.................. 73

Figure 83. Screen Capture. Report view for printing purposes. ................................................... 74

vii
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Inputs for 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. times of placement strategies .......................................... 50

Table 2. Long-term inputs for aggregate selection sample scenario ............................................ 54

viii
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

HIgh PERformance PAVing (HIPERPAV® is a software tool that uses a systems approach for 

predicting the early-age behavior of jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) and continuously 

reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). In addition, long-term JPCP behavior can be evaluated 

based on early-age JPCP analyses. 

This kind of a tool can be very helpful to engineers, contractors, and concrete suppliers. 

HIPERPAV® can be used during planning, design, construction, and post-construction 

evaluation phases. Typical applications for which it can be useful include optimizing pavement 

designs and construction methods, thereby preventing the need for expensive pavement repairs in 

the future; developing project quality control specifications to ensure optimized methods are 

followed; and conducting forensic investigations to identify potential early-age factors that may 

have led to specific performance patterns after construction. 

There have been several versions of HIPERPAV®, starting with the official first release, 

HIPERPAV® I (version 2.0). Since its inception, it was always understood that HIPERPAV®

would need to evolve as new materials were introduced into the industry, new discoveries in 

research were reported, and new models for predicting concrete behavior were developed. For 

this reason, there have been a number of versions of HIPERPAV® developed over the years. 

Each new version includes new features that address ways to improve analyses and user 

friendliness. Subsequent versions to 2.0 include HIPERPAV II® (version 3.0), HIPERPAV III®

(version 3.2), and now HIPERPAV III® (version 3.3).(1,2)

This manual is intended to provide guidance on how to use HIPERPAV III® (version 3.3). 

Listed below are several key features that distinguish HIPERPAV III® (versions 3.2 and 3.3)

from HIPERPAV II® (version 3.0) and HIPERPAV I® (version 2.0).

• Enhanced moisture model that improves the accuracy of the software’s predictions was 

incorporated.

• Improved interface, which allows users to navigate the software with more ease.

• Ability to characterize the heat evolution of a particular cement paste, which improves 

the precision of the software’s models.

• Batch mode that allows the user to analyze several strategies at once.

• Comparisons module (also referred to as the Comparisons Tool) that includes sensitivity 

analysis tools that allow the user to quickly discern differences in the effects of design, 

materials, construction, and climatic variables on strength gain, stress development, and 

early-age strength-to-stress relationships.

The latest release of HIPERPAV®, HIPERPAV III®, version 3.3, includes three additional key 

features to those listed above. The following key features were added in version 3.3:

• Ability to analyze mix designs that include blast furnace slag aggregate. 

1
• Ability to download online forecasted weather data. 

• Updated default values for Portland cement concrete (PCC) coefficient of thermal 

expansion (CTE) in accordance with recent research conducted by the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), which suggests that default values used in previous versions of 

HIPERPAV® were overestimated.

In subsequent paragraphs, HIPERPAV III® (version 3.3) is referred to as version 3.3. Likewise, 

previous versions are referred to simply by their software version number. The following 

chapters and subsections guide the user through using the software in a step-by-step manner. The 

chapters are broken down by the type of project (i.e., early-age JPCP, long-term JPCP, or earlylife CRCP) that will be analyzed. Subsections within the chapters explain how to navigate each 

section and corresponding input windows.

GETTING STARTED

Download the software at the following URL: 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/software/research/infrastructure/pavements/hiperpav/ver3-3.

Clicking the icon that appears on the desktop launches the software in any HIPERPAV®

version. If there is no icon but the software is installed, click the “Windows_Start” button and 

select HIPERPAV® from the menu under “All Programs”. 

Once the software is launched, the New Project window appears, which prompts the user to 

choose the type of project for which the analysis (or analyses) will be run. Click the option 

button next to the appropriate choice. (Figure 1 shows the very first window that appears in all 

versions of HIPERPAV® with “Early-Age JCPC” selected as the project type.) Then click 

“OK”. Now the user is ready to enter job-specific inputs for the project type selected.

2
Figure 1. Screen Capture. Opening window showing the New Project selection window with 

options for type of project to analyze.

Once the user has selected a project type, the user must navigate through a few input windows 

for each type of project to create a strategy. Strategies are further explained in the Strategies 

subsection of chapter 2 of this manual. Input windows are grouped in categories within sections. 

Sections are represented by tabs (Project Info, Strategies, and Comparisons) located horizontally 

in the main toolbar at the top as shown in figure 2. Input and analysis windows for each section 

are listed in tree view on the left side bar of every window (see Project Information, Geography, 

and Monthly Weather Data in figure 2). The first input window for all three project types is the 

Project Information window under the Project Info tab (see figure 2).

3
Figure 2. Screen Capture. Project Information input window under the Project Info tab.

4
CHAPTER 2. EARLY-AGE JPCP PROJECTS

This chapter provides guidance on how to navigate the early-age JPCP project type sections and 

input/analysis windows. Sections include Project Info, Strategies, and Comparisons tabs. 

PROJECT INFO

There are three categories under the Project Info tab: Project Information, Geography, and 

Monthly Weather Data (see figure 2).

Project Information 

The Project Information category consists of only one input window, which appears immediately 

after choosing early-age JPCP as the project type (figure 2). In this window, the user can enter 

general project information, including the project name, project ID, section name, and station 

numbers corresponding to the beginning and end of the project to be analyzed. A comment box 

is also provided for the user to enter any additional information.

Geography 

The Geography category is the second category of input windows listed. It consists of one 

window with input fields. To navigate the Geography window, five tools with corresponding 

icons are available for use. The user can click the icons shown in figure 3:

Figure 3. Screen Capture. Icons for navigation tools in the Geography window.

The user should select the location of the project within the 50 States (see, for example,

figure 4). This step is important because weather data obtained from historical records or from 

downloaded forecast data rely on this input. When a project location is selected, the software 

automatically identifies the nearest weather stations and performs a weighted average of the 

historical data available for air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover. The 

averaged data are automatically entered as the default values in the Climate window. The 

Climate window is named Environment in versions of HIPERPAV® previous to version 3.3. If 

the user chooses to download current forecasted data, instead of relying on historical averages, 

the data retrieved are specific to the location as identified by this input. 

Magnify the map.

Decrease magnification of the map.

Select the location of the project.

Drag the map.

Zoom to show the entire map.

5
To select a location, first click the pushpin icon and then select the location on the map. Once the 

location has been selected on the map, it is highlighted in yellow. Location latitude, longitude, 

and elevation automatically appear in the box on the right above the map. Alternatively, latitude 

and longitude can be entered manually, and the location is selected by clicking “Set Location” 

(elevation does not need to be entered). In the box above the map and to the left of the location 

information, the cities with weather stations nearest that location are indicated in bolded font. 

Figure 4. Screen Capture. Geography window showing a yellow circle around a yellow 

point to indicate project location and additional yellow points indicating the nearest 

weather stations (Austin, TX).

Monthly Weather Data Window

If the user has more accurate rainfall data, those data can be entered in the input window for 

Monthly Weather Data (figure 5). This window appears for early-age and long-term JPCP 

project types, but does not appear for CRCP projects. It should be noted that monthly rainfall 

data are used for the long-term JPCP analysis only. 

6
Figure 5. Screen Capture. Inputs to the Monthly Weather window.

STRATEGIES 

After navigating through the windows in the Project Info tab, the next step is to navigate the 

windows in the Strategies tab. Individual strategies for a single combination of structural design, 

materials and mix design, construction methods, and climate inputs are created under this tab. 

Initially, a single default strategy is created based entirely on inputs entered thus far under the 

Project Info tab and default values automatically entered into input fields within the input 

windows under this tab. The default values represent typical inputs for a paving project. Creation 

of this initial strategy and the ability to add additional strategies are accomplished by using the 

strategy toolbar and then navigating through a number of input windows.

Over the years, following the release of version 2.0, features were added to the software making 

it more user friendly. These features include help icons and the option to use a simplified set of 

input windows under the Strategies tab. Help icons were added to version 3.0 and appear next to 

selected inputs on various windows in the Strategy section. These icons link the user to more 

information about that specific input. In addition to the help icons, in version 3.2, two use levels 

were incorporated: a Simple View, which is intended for novice users and users with very 

limited project-specific information, and an Advanced View, which is intended for users with 

more experience in pavement design and who have more detailed data that can be used as inputs 

(see figure 6). The user can choose which view is preferred by clicking View in the main toolbar 

7
(see figure 7) and scrolling down to select the right choice from the drop-down menu. Note that 

the Simple View is an option only for early-age JPCP projects. 

Figure 6. Screen Capture. Comparison of Simple and Advanced Views.

Figure 7. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu that appears beneath View in the main 

toolbar.

No matter which view the user chooses, the analysis performed by the software for early-age 

cracking potential is the same, that is, the same models are used to calculate strength gain and 

stress development. The input windows for the categories in the Simple View have been pared 

8
down to prompt the user for data on only the most critical input variables. Variables for which 

there are no input fields are assigned default values, which are used by the models for analysis. 

In the Advanced View, the user has the ability to enter values for more variables, making the 

analysis using the same models more job-specific and thereby more accurate.

Strategy Toolbar

The strategy toolbar is provided to create, add, delete, and analyze strategies. It includes the 

commands shown in figure 8:

Figure 8. Screen Capture. Commands on the strategy toolbar.

Multiple strategies can be created for a single project. To perform any of the functions listed in 

the strategy toolbar (except add a strategy), the strategy for which the function will be performed 

must be highlighted. This can be done by simply clicking the strategy of interest.

Strategy Information

Strategy Information is the first category of input windows under the main section labeled 

Strategies. In both Simple and Advanced Views, there is only one input window, which includes 

input fields for user name and comments.

Design 

Design is the second category of inputs in the Strategies section. The user can enter values using 

either metric or United States Customary Units (USCS). Units of measure for all inputs are set to 

USCS by default. They can be changed to metric units in one of the following two ways: 

1. The user can choose a unit of measure for each input individually. This is done by 

clicking the drop-down menu that appears next to each input and selecting the desired 

option.

2. The user can choose a unit of measure for all inputs at once. To do this, the user must 

click Tools in the main menu, scroll down to Options, and choose either Metric or 

USCS and click Apply. 

Add a strategy.

Copy the currently selected strategy.

Delete a strategy.

Validate a strategy to verify that inputs are within allowable ranges.

Run an analysis for the currently selected strategy.

9
HIPERPAV® can also convert from one unit system to the other for individual inputs. To 

convert from one unit to another, check the Convert Value box and click the desired unit in the 

drop-down menu next to each input where it applies.

General

In the Simple View, fields of inputs for reliability level, geometry, and slab support are grouped 

in the General window. Geometry inputs include thickness, width, and transverse joint spacing as 

shown in figure 9. Slab support inputs include a drop-down menu from which the user chooses 

the material that will be placed directly beneath the concrete layer. If the material is a subbase 

material (i.e., asphalt concrete, asphalt stabilized, cement stabilized, or unbound aggregate), the 

subbase thickness input field becomes active, and a default value of 6 inches for thickness 

appears automatically. The user can change this input to a job-specific value. If a subgrade 

material is chosen (i.e., lime-treated clay or untreated clay), the subbase thickness input field 

remains dark.

Figure 9. Diagram. Schematic of the geometry input required for a HIPERPAV® analysis.

In the Advanced View, reliability level and geometry are grouped in the General window (see 

figure 10), while slab support inputs are in a separate window. In the Advanced View, there are 

additional inputs for subbase support, which include subgrade stiffness, subbase properties, and 

axial restraint. There is also separate input window for dowels.

Slab

Width

Paving Width

Longitudinal

Joints

Transverse

Joints Joint Shoulder

Shoulder

Spacing

Slab

Width

Paint Stripe

Slab

Width

Paving Width

Longitudinal

Joints

Transverse

Joints Joint Shoulder

Shoulder

Spacing

Slab

Width

Paint Stripe

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Figure 10. Screen Capture. Geometry input window under the General category.

Dowels

The Dowel input window is found under the Design category only in the Advanced View. 

HIPERPAV® models assess how dowel bars affect the early-age behavior of the joint in jointed 

concrete pavements by calculating the change in bearing stress of the dowel on the concrete as a 

function of temperature and time. If the bearing stress is greater than the concrete’s early-age 

bearing strength, then it is probable that the dowel will loosen in the pavement at a faster rate 

than if the bearing stress was designed to be less than the concrete’s bearing strength. Cyclic 

loadings, particularly during the early age, commonly cause crushing of the concrete at the dowel 

interface owing to the high stresses at those locations. Voids at the dowel-concrete interface will 

eventually cause the dowel to provide reduced load transfer efficiency.

If the user desires to evaluate dowel bearing stresses, then the dowel size, Poisson’s ratio, and 

modulus must be entered (figure 11); default values appear automatically in the input fields. In 

addition, the 28-day effective modulus of dowel support is required. The modulus of dowel 

support is defined as “the bearing stress in the concrete mass developing under unit deflection of 

the bar.”(3) Default values are automatically provided as inputs, but should be modified to jobspecific values. It should be noted that if dowels are being considered in the analysis, additional 

information is required on concrete compressive strength in the PCC Properties window under 

the Materials and Mix Design category; this is explained in more detail in the subsection later in 

this chapter entitled PCC Properties. In addition, a third analysis category appears (see 

figure 11).

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Figure 11. Screen Capture. Inputs for the Dowels window.

Slab Support

In the Advanced View, input fields for slab support are grouped and include subbase material, 

subbase properties, subgrade stiffness, and axial restraint. See figure 12.

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Figure 12. Screen Capture. Slab Support input window in the Advanced View.

Subbase Material and Subbase Properties. The user chooses what material will be placed 

directly beneath the concrete pavement layer from a drop-down menu similar to that found in the 

Simple View. If the material is a subbase material, input fields for subbase thickness and subbase 

estimated modulus values become active and include default values. The user can change these 

values to job-specific values. If the user chooses a subgrade material from the drop-down menu, 

however, then the aforementioned input fields do not become active. Only the subgrade stiffness 

values can be modified. 

Subgrade Stiffness. Either a k-value or modulus value can be used to define the subgrade 

stiffness input. The user chooses between the two by clicking the option button next to the 

desired input option. Once the option button is clicked, the input field that corresponds to that 

choice becomes active. Data for job-specific k-values or subgrade modulus values can be 

obtained in three ways: 1) correlations with soil types and other subgrade support tests (i.e., 

California bearing ratio, R-value, etc.); 2) determination of elastic modulus of individual layers 

(e.g., with the use of deflection testing) and backcalculation methods; or 3) plate load testing. 

Examples of standard test methods for obtaining elastic modulus data include America 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) T 274 Preparation of 

Test Specimens of Bituminous Mixtures by Means of California Kneading Compactor, which

may be used to characterize relatively low stiffness materials such as natural soils, unbound 

granular materials, stabilized materials, and asphalt concrete. Alternatively, the repeated-load 

13
indirect tensile test method ASTM D 4123 Standard Test Method for Indirect Tension Test for 

Resilient Modulus of Bituminous Mixtures may be used to test bound or higher stiffness materials 

such as stabilized bases and asphalt concrete. The elastic modulus of base materials with a high 

cement content may be obtained with the ASTM C 469 Standard Test Method for Static Modulus 

of Elasticity and Poisson's Ratio of Concrete in Compression test method. 

Axial Restraint. Default axial restraint values are based on a linear relationship between critical 

restraint stress and movement at sliding. These values change automatically based on the type of 

subbase material chosen from the drop-down menu. The user can, however, modify these values 

to be job-specific by choosing user-defined linear or user-defined nonlinear options and then 

entering the appropriate values for critical restraint stress, movement at sliding, and curvature, 

which can be obtained from restraint tests. A restraint, or pushoff test, consists of casting a small 

slab with the approximate thickness of the projected pavement on top of the same subbase type. 

A horizontal force is applied on one side of the slab with a hydraulic jack, and a load cell is used 

to measure the applied load. Dial gages are installed at the opposite side to measure the slab 

movement. The restraint stress is determined from the applied force divided by the area of the 

test slab. The testing history of restraint stress and slab movement during the pushoff procedure 

is recorded, and the restraint stress at free sliding is evaluated.(4)

Materials and Mix Design Inputs

Materials and Mix Design is the third category of input windows under the Strategies section. In 

the Simple View, the inputs for cement type, aggregate type, admixtures, fly ash, batch 

proportions, and PCC 28-day strength values are grouped in one window. That is not the case in 

the Advanced View, however. Cement type has its own input window and includes additional 

input fields to better characterize cement properties. Aggregate type, admixtures, fly ash, and 

batch proportion inputs are grouped in a second window. Strength inputs and additional inputs 

for other PCC properties are grouped in a third window. Finally, maturity data inputs are 

grouped in a fourth window.

Cement

The Cement input window, shown in figure 13, includes input fields for cement properties and 

the Blaine Fineness Index. To define cement properties, the user can choose an ASTM cement 

type classification (drop-down menu shown in figure 14), enter user-defined percent values for 

oxides, or enter user-defined percent values for Bogue compounds. If selected, the user-defined 

oxides or Bogue compounds are entered in tabular form. The Blaine Fineness Index can be 

estimated from the cement type or user-defined if this information is available.

14
Figure 13. Screen Capture. Inputs for the Cement window.

Figure 14. The list of available cement types.

A help window can be accessed by clicking the yellow icon with a question mark (see figure 15). 

The information in this window explains how heat of hydration is affected by different 

cementitious materials (see figure 16).

Figure 15. Screen Capture. Help icon.

Help icons are provided in several software windows to provide additional guidance on 

the proper selection of inputs.

15
Figure 16. Screen Capture. Heat of Hydration help window in version 3.3.

PCC Mix 

The PCC Mix window is used to enter the mix design inputs (figure 17), which include input 

fields for aggregate type, admixture type, fly ash, and batch proportions.

The type of coarse aggregate used in the mix is selected from a drop-down menu (see figure 18). 

The option for slag aggregate is new in version 3.3. Only version 3.3 and versions thereafter 

have the ability to analyze the risk for early-age cracking of JPCP projects in which the coarse 

aggregate of the PCC mix is a slag aggregate. 

16
Figure 17. Screen Capture. Inputs for the PCC Mix window.

Figure 18. Screen Capture. List of available coarse aggregate types in the PCC Mix 

window.

The type of chemical admixture used is also chosen from a drop-down menu that lists types as 

defined by ASTM C 494 Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete. Note 

that Type A and F are not included because they would not affect the analysis (hover over the 

input cell at the top of the drop-down menu to see tool tip). If fly ash is used, it is necessary to 

specify the fly ash class and approximate calcium oxide (lime) content for Class F (see dropdown menu in figure 20). Default batch proportions by mass are provided and should be adjusted 

by deleting those default values and entering job-specific inputs.

17
Figure 19. Screen Capture. List of available admixture types in the PCC Mix window.

Figure 20. Screen Capture. Fly ash class drop-down menu.

PCC Properties 

The PCC Properties input window includes input fields for 28-day strength, concrete coefficient 

of thermal expansion, 28-day modulus, and ultimate drying shrinkage (figure 21). In addition, 

heat of hydration inputs can be entered, which was a new addition in version 3.2.

Figure 21. Screen Capture. PCC Properties window for early-age JPCP analysis.

18
28-Day Strength. The 28-day strength value is automatically set to a default value for splitting 

tensile strength (STS) of 520 psi. The user should enter tensile strength values that correspond to 

test results obtained for the job-specific mix. The STS is used to predict the formation of cracks 

in the early-age JPCP. Tensile strength is determined through the ASTM C 496 Standard Test 

Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens or AASHTO T 198 

Standard Method of Test for Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens. To 

enter a job-specific value, delete the default and enter the correct value.

Alternatively, the user can estimate the STS based on relationships with other strength types (see 

drop-down menu in figure 22). In the equation shown next to the 28-day strength inputs, “STR” 

is the PCC 28-day strength type. The user can choose to enter data for 28-day compression or 

flexural strength tests, and the equation will automatically calculate the tensile strength. Notice 

that there are strength coefficients in the equation. These coefficients can be estimated using 

default conversion factors; however, the user is cautioned to develop project-specific coefficients 

based on laboratory testing for the mix being studied (see figure 23). 

Figure 22. Screen Capture. List of options for Strength Type in PCC Properties window.

Figure 23. Screen Capture. Information provided by clicking the help icon under PCC 

Properties window.

The compressive strength (CS) is used to assess dowel-bearing stresses at early ages with the 

dowel analysis module. If dowels are part of the design and are being considered in the analysis 

(i.e., in the Advanced View, in the Dowels input window, the user clicked “Include Dowels in 

19
Early-Age Analysis”), then in the PCC Properties input window, a group of CS coefficients 

appear. This group of inputs becomes active only when the type of 28-day strength value is a CS 

value. Like the STS coefficients, these coefficients can be estimated using default conversion 

factors, but, it is recommended that job-specific values based on laboratory testing be used.

PCC Modulus of Elasticity. The PCC modulus of elasticity, by default, is estimated from the 

28-day strength inputs. More accurate values for this input can be obtained from ASTM C 469 

Standard Test Method for Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson's Ratio of Concrete in 

Compression testing of job-specific concrete specimens. 

PCC Ultimate Drying Shrinkage. PCC ultimate drying shrinkage is set at a default value that is 

estimated from the mix design inputs. More accurate values for this input can be obtained from

the AASHTO T 160 Standard Method of Test for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic Cement 

Mortar and Concrete test procedure at 40-percent relative humidity. This test is equivalent to 

ASTM C 157 Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic Cement Mortar 

and Concrete. 

PCC CTE. In all versions prior to version 3.3, the default value for the PCC CTE is estimated 

by a model that correlates PCC CTE to coarse aggregate CTE. Default CTE values for the coarse 

aggregate are automatically engaged when the user chooses the aggregate type from the dropdown menu in the PCC Mix input window. Alternatively, the user has the ability to enter a 

known aggregate CTE, or a known PCC CTE. If the user enters a known aggregate CTE, 

HIPERPAV® calculates a PCC CTE based on that input.

In version 3.3, however, values reported by FHWA in Coefficient of Thermal Expansion in 

Concrete Pavement Design were incorporated as default values for PCC CTE in version 3.3.(5)

Using the AASHTO T 336 test method, FHWA conducted research to evaluate the PCC CTE of 

a number of cores taken from various sections that are a part of the Long-Term Pavement 

Performance program. The PCC CTE values reported by this research were lower than expected 

for the aggregate types within the cores. Based on a correlation of PCC CTE to aggregate CTE, 

FHWA results suggest that typical aggregate CTE values may be lower than those found in 

literature and that have been used as default values in previous versions of HIPERPAV®. 

It was decided that recent work by FHWA represented the most up-to-date information and more 

accurate values for PCC CTE. Therefore, these values were incorporated in version 3.3. It is 

important to mention that although the previous default values in the HIPERPAV® software are 

considerably higher than those measured via AASHTO T 336, the CTE values actually used for 

calibration of the software were laboratory measured values that are in agreement with AASHTO 

T 336. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm the validity of HIPERPAV® models. 

Heat of Hydration. Heat evolution (heat of hydration) influences thermal gradients and affects 

tensile stresses in early-age concrete. By default, HIPERPAV® models heat evolution using

linear regression models that related heat of hydration to cementitious materials chemistry. A 

more accurate approach for characterizing heat of hydration was added for the first time as a 

feature of HIPERPAV III® version 3.2. The feature was the ability to enter semi-adiabatic test 

results, thereby improving the precision of the software’s mathematical models in predicting 

thermal stress and strength development. 

20
In the Advanced View only, input fields for heat of hydration include “Estimate from Mix” and 

“User-Defined”. By default, “estimated from mix” is selected. Selecting this input instructs the 

software to use linear regression models to calculate heat of hydration. Choosing “UserDefined”, however, opens another window for semi-adiabatic test result inputs (see figure 24). 

Figure 24. Screen Capture. Illustration of the inputs for calorimetry data.

Maturity Data 

Like the Dowel input window under Design, the Maturity Data input window is accessible only 

in the Advanced View. HIPERPAV® will estimate maturity for early-age concrete using default 

inputs derived from typical, normal mix designs and the 28-day strength input. However, using 

user-defined maturity data inputs derived from the concrete for which the HIPERPAV® analysis 

is being run is highly recommended. Real, job-specific maturity data inputs improve the 

accuracy of HIPERPAV® predicted strength gain and stress development in early-age concrete.

Maturity data should be collected in accordance with ASTM C 1074 Standard Practice for 

Estimating Concrete Strength by the Maturity Method. The standard requires casting a certain 

number of concrete cylinders as specimens. Sensors that measure temperature and time are 

embedded into several of the cylinders. Cylinders (not embedded with sensors) are then broken 

in compression at different time intervals within 28 days after casting. Maturity is calculated 

using mathematical formulas that relate strength, concrete temperature, and time. 

In HIPERPAV®, users can either enter inputs obtained from the temperature-time factor method 

(which uses the Nurse-Saul maturity relationship), or the equivalent age method (which uses the 

Arrhenius relationship) for calculating maturity. For either method, maturity and strength 

information are entered in tabular format and automatically plotted on the window, as shown in 

figure 25.

21
Figure 25. Screen Capture. Inputs for maturity.

Construction 

The Construction category is the fourth category and consists of only one input window no 

matter which view (i.e., Simple View or Advanced View) is used. It includes input fields for 

initial conditions, curing, sawcutting, and strength for opening to traffic. An input to characterize 

the moisture condition of the base was added for the first time in version 3.2. 

Initial Conditions

For the input fields grouped under “Initial Conditions”, default values appear in the input fields 

for temperature of the concrete mix, temperature of the supporting layer, and base moisture 

condition. It is recommended that the temperature of the supporting layer be measured at 

approximately 2 inches below its surface to obtain a more representative value of the average 

temperature in this layer.

In addition, the first of three help icons that appear in this window explains how the moist and 

dry options represent two extremes and advises users to opt for a dry base if there is a potential 

for extreme moisture loss from the slab to the base (see figure 27).

22
Figure 26. Screen Capture. Inputs in the Construction window.

23
Figure 27. Screen Capture. First of three help windows.

Curing Method

Input fields for curing method and age at which curing is applied are in the next group of inputs 

in this window. The user is encouraged to enter job-specific inputs; otherwise, default inputs of 

“Single Coat Liquid Curing Compound” applied at hour “0” will be assumed for analysis. The 

curing method is selected from the drop-down menu shown in figure 29. The age when curing is 

applied is defined as the total time that elapses from when water comes into contact with cement 

at the batch plant to the time when the slab is covered with some kind of membrane to prevent 

moisture loss from the surface. If removable curing methods, such as polyethylene sheeting, are 

selected, the age when curing is removed is also required. A second help icon is available among 

the curing method inputs that includes information on the effects of curing type selection. 

24
Figure 28. Screen Capture. Help window for curing.

Figure 29. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu listing choices for curing methods.

Sawcutting

Inputs for sawcutting joints are entered in the next group of input fields. The following three 

input options are available to the user:

• Saw at Optimum Time: HIPERPAV® assumes that as soon as the concrete is strong 

enough to sawcut, the joints are formed, and HIPERPAV® performs the analysis based 

on the transverse joint spacing entered.

• User-Defined Sawing Age: HIPERPAV® simulates the stress development for a semiinfinite slab until the specified sawing age. After that time, the stress development is 

simulated based on the transverse joint spacing entered.

25
• No Sawing: HIPERPAV® simulates the stress development for a semi-infinite slab for 

the 72-hour analysis. This option is useful to estimate the latest sawcutting time. The time 

when the stress exceeds the strength for this scenario would correspond to the latest 

sawcutting time. However, this option must be used with caution because a great amount 

of liability is involved. It is recommended that joints be sawcut at a maximum of 18 to 24 

hours after paving, regardless of predicted conditions.

Although not a recommended practice, the user may also estimate the effect of skip sawcutting 

for the first two options. Options for skip sawcutting, varying from every other joint to every 

fifth joint, may be specified in the drop-down menu next to the “Skipping sawcutting every” 

checkbox. If this option is selected, the user also needs to enter the time when the skipped joints 

are cut. 

Strength for Opening to Traffic

If a given strength for opening to traffic is required, this information can be entered in the 

Construction inputs window. A third help icon for this input is provided (see figure 30). The user 

can select the strength type to be used for opening to traffic. After the analysis is run, the strength 

for opening to traffic is indicated in the analysis window (shown later in figure 34 and figure 35) 

if this strength is achieved within the 72-hour analysis period. 

Figure 30. Screen Capture. Help window explaining strength for opening inputs.

26
Climate Inputs

The Climate category is the last category of input windows. In versions previous to version 3.3, 

the window in this category was titled Environment. Although the name of the window has 

changed, the input fields have remained the same and are the same for both the Simple and 

Advanced Views. The user enters climate data for ambient temperature, wind speed, cloud 

coverage, and relative humidity for the first 72 hours following construction. Each type of 

climatic condition has its own input window. The user can toggle between the four windows by 

choosing accordingly from a drop-down menu next to the phrase “Data to display”, as shown in 

figure 31. Data for each climatic condition appears in the respective window in two ways: listed 

in a table and illustrated in graphical format.

Figure 31. Screen Capture. Climate window with drop-down menu for toggling between 

climatic condition windows.

Construction date and time are entered below the type of climatic condition drop-down menu. 

Each of these job-specific inputs has its own drop-down menus from which the user can choose 

accordingly. By default, the box next to the words: “Prompt to update hourly data” is checked, 

and a window will appear with a message every time the date or time is changed. The user 

should click “Yes” to confirm. To cancel this prompt, the user must uncheck the box. 

There are three ways climate inputs can be entered: the data can be estimated from the built-in 

historical database, the user can enter it directly, or the data can be downloaded from the 

27
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Web site. The option to download 

climate data from NOAA is a new, automated feature in version 3.3. 

Estimating Climate Inputs

The HIPERPAV® software is equipped with an internal database of historical climatic 

conditions. The information in the database was assimilated from weather stations all over the 

country, including Alaska and Hawaii, and spans more than 30 years of climatic records. Based 

on the location identified in the Geography window of the Project Info section, the software 

automatically identifies the nearest weather stations and performs a weighted average of the 

historical data for air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover. The averaged 

data are automatically entered as the default values in the Climate window.

Manually Entering Climate Inputs

Alternatively, the user can manually enter real-time data instead of historical averages. A single 

data point, multiple data points, or a range of data can be entered manually. To manually enter 

data, the user can perform one of the following two processes:

• Enter values directly into the table for specific times. 

• Manipulate the graph by performing one the following steps:

o Clicking the Point button and then dragging individual points on the plot 

(see figure 32).

o Specifying high and low values for each day by clicking the High-Low button and 

dragging the red points (see figure 32).

o Simulating a cold front condition by clicking the Cold Front button and dragging 

down the desired point (see figure 32).

Figure 32. Screen Capture. Options available to the user for manipulating the graphs.

28
If the construction date or time is changed, it is important that data within each climatic 

condition window (i.e., ambient temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover) be 

estimated again using the “Estimate” or “Estimate All” buttons. The “Estimate” button only 

updates the data displayed in the current window. The “Estimate All” button updates the data in 

all windows. Options for plotting weather data in terms of elapsed time from construction or for 

time of day are provided. In addition, an auto-scale feature can be selected to cover a wider or 

narrower range of data.

Downloading Forecasted Climate Inputs

With version 3.3, the user can now choose to download forecast data from NOAA. To use this 

automated feature, there must be a connection to the Internet. Figure 31 shows the location of the 

“Download Forecast” button under Weather Data Tools. When the “Download Forecast” button 

is clicked, the ambient temperatures, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover data 

forecasted by NOAA for the project location will be automatically entered into the software. It 

should be noted that the user must identify the project location in the Geography window for 

NOAA to provide an accurate forecast for a specific location.

With this new feature, users no longer have to manually enter job-specific weather conditions 

when the database does not accurately represent real conditions. However, there are a few 

anomalies that the user must be aware of when running and interpreting an analysis in which 

downloaded weather forecast data are used. 

The NOAA service provides forecasted data; that means that it will report data for the future, but 

not for current or past conditions. What this means is that HIPERPAV® cannot use downloaded 

data for an analysis of a strategy in which the construction time has elapsed or is too far into the 

future. Any time beyond 7 days is too far in the future; there is not enough data provided by 

NOAA to support a complete HIPERPAV® analysis. A HIPERPAV® analysis requires 72 

hours’ worth of data. If an analysis is run for a construction time that will occur at a point in time 

for which the NOAA service cannot provide enough (or any) forecasted data, a warning message 

will appear (see figure 33). In this case, HIPERPAV® will use historical data or manually 

entered data for the analysis. 

Figure 33. Screen Capture. Warning message advising user of a construction time too far 

into the future for which forecasted data cannot be downloaded.

NOAA provides updated forecast data every 3 to 6 hours for the first 72 hours from the current 

time. The number of hours for which data are provided at 3-hour intervals depends on when 

29
during the day the NOAA service was accessed. The NOAA service provides forecasted weather 

data for 3- and 6-hour intervals based on a routine schedule that is a fixed feature of the NOAA 

service. When the user clicks the “Download Forecast” button, the forecast available at that 

moment in time through the NOAA service is downloaded into HIPERPAV®. Whether or not 

data provided by the service are at 3- or 6-hour intervals, HIPERPAV® interpolates between the 

intervals so that values exist for every hour of the analysis period. 

Analysis 

Once the user has entered all of the inputs into the Design, Mix Design, Construction, and 

Climate input windows, an analysis can be run. Clicking the icon found in the Strategy 

toolbar will begin the analysis process. After clicking the icon, the Analysis window appears. If 

the user is in Simple View mode, the Analysis window will resemble figure 34. If the user is in 

Advanced View mode, the Analysis window will resemble figure 35. 

Figure 34. Screen Capture. Simple View analysis window for early-age JPCP.

30
Figure 35. Screen Capture. Advanced View Analysis window for early-age JPCP.

Notice that the only difference between the two windows is that for the Simple View, the 

evaporation analysis is shown in the upper right-hand corner. For the Advanced View, the 

evaporation analysis appears as a separate window. The information that is presented in both 

views includes PCC strength and critical stresses. This information is presented in a tabular and 

graphical format. The numerical value of tensile stress and strength can also be obtained by 

hovering the mouse over the point of interest on the graph. In addition, if the user checks the box 

next to the words “Display strength for opening to traffic?” found at the bottom of the 

Construction window, then a note above the graph and a green point along the strength gain 

curve on the graph will appear indicating when the proper strength for opening to traffic is 

achieved (see figure 34 and figure 35).

Interpretation of Analysis Results

HIPERPAV® executes a series of powerful algorithms that calculate the PCC pavement stress 

and strength development continuously for the first 72 hours following placement. The user is 

presented with a graphical window, which plots the results of the analysis as they are computed 

in real time. The user can observe the trend of the strength and stress development and assess the 

risk for early-age cracking based on the specific user inputs. 

Figure 35 shows outputs from a typical analysis of a strategy in which the combination of 

pavement design, mix and materials design, construction methods, and climate conditions 

31
suggests a low risk for early-age cracking, or a high probability of good performance. This can 

be concluded with comfortable certainty because the strength curve (blue line) remains above the 

stress curve (red line) at all times during the first 72 hours. Note the cyclical manner in which the 

critical stress occurs. Peaks in the stress curve occur at critical periods when either tensile 

stresses at the top of the slab are dominant (yellow areas) or when tensile stresses at the slab 

bottom are dominant (blue areas); the former is in the early morning hours, and the latter is just 

after midday. In this scenario, the risk for PCC pavement early-age distress (random transverse 

cracking) is low because the stress does not exceed the strength during the first 72 hours after 

placement.

Figure 36 shows an Analysis window for a strategy in which the combination of pavement 

design, mix and materials design, construction methods, and climate conditions result in a high 

risk for early-age cracking. The risk is high because the predicted critical stress curve exceed the 

predicted strength gain curve 15, 39, and 63 hours after construction.

Figure 36. Screen Capture. Advanced View Analysis window showing high risk for earlyage cracking.

Evaporation Rate Analysis

The Evaporation Rate Analysis window is shown in figure 37. This analysis is a function of the 

wind speed, relative humidity, air temperature, and predicted concrete temperatures. The effect 

of curing methods is not considered in the evaporation rate analysis. The predicted evaporation 

32
rate is presented in both graphical and tabular form. Because wind speed is critical in evaporation 

rate predictions, evaporation rate is predicted as a function of multiple wind speeds. The black 

curve corresponds to the evaporation rate calculated for the wind speed entered in the climate 

input screen. 

Figure 37. Screen Capture. Evaporation Rate Analysis window for early-age JPCP 

analysis.

Dowel Analysis

The Dowel Analysis window compares the concrete bearing strength to the bearing stress 

generated in proximity to the dowels owing to slab curling as shown in figure 38. Because slabs 

in the field may show different curling conditions from one slab to the other, the following two 

scenarios are considered: 1) two slabs with similar curling conditions (curl-curl stress), and 2) 

one slab flat and the adjacent slab in a curled shape (flat-curl stress). It is believed that the actual 

stress to which a concrete/dowel may be subjected would be intermediate between these two 

conditions. As in the Evaporation Rate Analysis window, the Dowel Analysis results are 

presented in both a graphical and a tabular form. 

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Figure 38. Screen Capture. Dowel Analysis window for early-age JPCP.

COMPARISONS MODULE

The Comparisons module was added as a new feature in version 3.2. Accessed by clicking just to 

the right of “Strategies” in the main toolbar, as shown in figure 43, Comparisons includes 

sensitivity analysis tools. Two sensitivity analyses tools are available in this module: Quick 

Compare and Sensitivity Comparisons.

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Figure 39. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Quick Compare window showing the location 

of the Comparisons module in the main toolbar.

Quick Compare 

Quick Compare allows the user to quickly identify the differences between strategies. The 

advantage of this tool is the ability to compare up to 10 individual strategies and see how their 

differences affect concrete properties. The user checks the strategies of interest (limit of 10) and 

clicks the “Compare” button. A chart that lists the elapsed time and any input differences is 

generated. The user can toggle between the chart and graphs that provide a visual, side-by-side 

comparison of strategies for properties including strength, critical stresses, strength-to-stress 

differences, and stress-to-strength ratios for each of the chosen strategies (see figure 40). 

35
Figure 40. Screen Capture. Quick Compare Stress-to-Strength Ratio window showing a 

comparison of two strategies.

Sensitivity Comparisons

Like Quick Compare, the Sensitivity Comparisons tool also generates a chart and graphs, which 

the user can use to compare analyses. However, the user is not comparing the differences 

between individual strategies. Instead, this tool compares the effects of changing inputs for a 

single strategy. 

To use this tool, add a comparison with the Add button, , located in the upper left corner of 

the window. An Add Sensitivity Comparison wizard window pops up, prompting the user to 

select the strategy of interest (see figure 41). The user then selects the input variable to evaluate, 

a range for that variable (if applicable), and an analysis interval. HIPERPAV® then calculates 

the following properties: strength, critical stresses, strength-to-stress differences, and stress-tostrength ratios for the range identified.

For example, figure 41 shows the Add Sensitivity Comparison inputs for the Initial Mix 

Temperature variable. A range from 50 oF to 90 oF is used. Also, an interval of 10 oF is selected 

so that the wizard runs an analysis for every 10 oF starting at 50 oF and ending at 90 oF. 

36
Figure 41. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Add Sensitivity Comparison wizard.

Figure 42 presents the results from this sensitivity analysis in terms of stress-to-strength ratio. A 

Summary window shows the maximum stress-to-strength ratio for each analysis run in a bar 

chart as seen in figure 43. The bars are plotted in a color gradient from green (low cracking risk) 

to red (high cracking risk) to show the proximity to the critical stress-to-strength ratio of 100 

percent (cracking risk threshold). 

37
Figure 42. Screen Capture. Snapshot of Sensitivity Comparisons Stress-to-Strength ratio 

window.

38
Figure 43. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Sensitivity Comparison Summary window for 

PCC mix temperature.

Most often, users of previous versions 2.0 and 3.0 requested the ability to compare the effect of 

different times of construction without having to create individual strategies for each interval of 

time. The Sensitivity Comparisons tool gives the user that ability. The user identifies a base 

strategy, selects Construction Time as the variable to evaluate, and chooses a range from 1 to 

6 hours.

For this sensitivity analysis, the user also has the option to use custom initial PCC mix and 

support layer temperatures for each analysis interval. If this information is not readily available, 

HIPERPAV® can estimate these temperatures based on current environmental conditions for 

each construction time if the user leaves the check boxes under each of these inputs unchecked.

HIPERPAV® calculates and generates charts and graphs accordingly. Similar to the previous 

example, the user can see in one snapshot the effect that time of construction has on stress-tostrength ratio. Figure 44 shows a summary of the stress-to-strength ratio for a time of 

construction sensitivity analysis. The user can quickly see that during some morning hours there 

is a higher probability of exceeding the cracking risk line.

39
Figure 44. Screen Capture. Snapshot of the Sensitivity Comparisons Summary window for 

construction time.

40
CHAPTER 3. LONG-TERM JPCP PROJECTS

The main focus of the software is on the early-age behavior of JPCP. The long-term performance 

module should be used to further optimize early-age pavement design, materials selection, and 

construction procedures. The long-term JPCP project type analysis is intended to be a tool for 

examining relative, rather than absolute, performance based on early-age factors. This means that 

HIPERPAV® is intended to be used for evaluating and comparing the long-term performance 

analysis of one early-age strategy to another. In this way, the long-term module can reinforce 

good paving practices. It must not be used for pavement (structural) design purposes. 

In this chapter, the long-term comparative analysis of early-age strategies is demonstrated. The 

user should be familiar with the early-age JPCP analysis windows before proceeding with this 

chapter. The long-term project type analysis includes Project Info and Strategies sections. In 

each section, project-specific data are entered into input windows that are categorized and listed 

in menu format down the left sidebar of every window.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Once the user selects the Long-Term JPCP option in the New Project selection window (see 

figure 1), the Project Information input window appears. Project Information is one of three 

categories for which there are input windows. The same input categories listed for early-age 

JPCP are listed for long-term JPCP. This is because the process for analyzing early-age strategies 

must be completed before long-term analyses can be run. Refer to chapter 2 for a step-by-step 

explanation of how to navigate the early-age section.

STRATEGIES

After navigating through the Project Info tab, two early-age JPCP strategies with default inputs 

are automatically generated by the software. The user should modify the inputs for the specific 

situation. Once the inputs for all of the early-age strategies have been entered and both strategies 

have been analyzed, long-term JPCP strategies can be created by selecting “LT JPCP” under the 

strategy type drop-down menu (see figure 45). For more detail on how to navigate the Strategies 

module for early-age strategies, refer to the Strategies subsection later in this chapter.

Figure 45. Screen Capture. Strategy type drop-down menu.

Notice that although two early-age strategies were analyzed, only one long-term strategy is 

generated automatically. Long-term JPCP strategies represent a single evaluation in which two 

early-age strategies are compared. Therefore, for every long-term strategy, two early-age 

41
strategies are required. This allows the user to see how early-age factors affect long-term 

pavement performance. 

The long-term JPCP Strategies module includes four categories of input windows and one 

analysis window. Input categories include Strategy Information, Performance Parameters, Joint 

Design, and Traffic Loading (see figure 46).

Figure 46. Screen Capture. Strategy Information for long-term JPCP analysis.

Strategy Information 

The Strategy Information category consists of only one input window. In this window the user 

must identify which early-age strategy is the “Base Strategy” and which is the “Comparison 

Strategy”. Fields for user name and comments also are provided. After the long-term strategy is 

run, the date of analysis will appear in this window.

Performance Parameters

The Performance Parameters category also consists of only one input window. The user is able to 

enter the long-term analysis period, the reliability level, and the initial roughness index (IRI) 

(figure 47). An option is also provided to assess the effect of built-in curling. Built-in curling is a 

term used to describe the curling state that develops at set and that later influences the curled 

shape of the slab as the thermal gradient is subsequently modified by the hydration process and 

climatic conditions. HIPERPAV® considers the following two slab curling conditions: 

42
• Consider built-in curling effect checkbox—unchecked: Curling stresses are computed for 

thermal gradient at time of loading only (assumes flat slab when thermal gradient is 

zero).

• Consider built-in curling effect checkbox—checked: Curling stresses are computed for 

thermal gradient at time of loading plus built-in curling present at PCC set time. 

Because built-in curling relaxes with time, neither of the conditions described above is actually 

correct, but it is believed that the actual condition will lie between these two. During the model 

validation, it was observed that, depending on the thermal gradient built-in at set (positive or 

negative), considering built-in curling would show greater potential of cracking in some 

instances, and for others, not considering built-in curling would be more critical. Therefore, this 

option was left in the user’s control. The most critical case can be identified by running longterm strategies for both built-in curling and no built-in curling conditions at different times of 

placement. Long-term relaxation effects are difficult to assess at present, due to limitations of 

available models. In the future, these limitations may be overcome with the development of more 

sophisticated built-in curling models.

In addition to the above inputs, the user can set the maximum allowable joint faulting, transverse 

cracking, longitudinal cracking, IRI, and serviceability in this input window. These set limits are 

compared with the analysis results in the Long-Term Analysis window. If the analysis has 

predicted a level of distress that the user denotes as “terminating” (beyond the predefined distress 

threshold), HIPERPAV® reports it as the end of the service life for that analysis. However, the 

analysis continues until the analysis period is completed. 

Figure 47. Screen Capture. Performance Parameters input window for long-term JPCP 

analysis.

43
Joint Design

The Joint Design category’s single input window allows the user to select the type of load 

transfer device to consider in the analysis (i.e., dowels, tie bars, both, or none). Dowels reinforce 

the transverse joint, while tie bars reinforce the longitudinal joint (figure 48). 

Users should note that dowel bar inputs for early-age analysis strategies do not apply to the longterm analysis. If dowels are selected as the load-transfer device in the long-term analysis, then 

for both the early-age base and early-age comparison strategies, dowels are used in the analysis, 

whether they were included as part of the early-age strategies’ analyses or not. 

The user can select from no transfer devices, only dowels, only tie-bars, or both dowels and tie 

bars. If dowels are selected, dowel spacing and length are required entries in addition to dowel 

size and modulus. If tie bars are selected, their size and spacing must be entered. The transverse 

sawcut depth is also entered as part of the joint design inputs.

Figure 48. Screen Capture. Load-Transfer Design input window for long-term JPCP 

analysis.

Traffic Inputs 

Traffic loading inputs must be included in the long-term analysis. Five input windows are 

provided for this category: General, Single Axle, Tandem Axle, Tridem Axle, and Growth Rate.

General 

In the General window (figure 49), the mean truck tire pressure is required. The user also 

chooses to either estimate or define the traffic load spectra. If estimated, default traffic load 

44
spectra (generated by HIPERPAV® (versions superseding software version 2.0) based on typical 

averages of rural and urban highway traffic) are used as inputs in the following three input 

windows. If the user-defined option is selected, the user can enter specific single axle, tandem 

axle, or tridem axle load values in the cells for traffic loading in their respective windows.

Figure 49. Screen Capture. General Traffic Loading window for long-term JPCP analysis.

Axle Load 

If the user manually enters the load spectra information, these inputs are entered in the single 

axle load, the tandem axle load, and the tridem axle load windows (figure 50).

For each traffic load spectra category, the number of single tire and dual tire axle loads per year 

are entered against the axle load group. The single tire, dual tire, or total load spectra per axle 

type is shown on the plot, depending on the column selected. The total number of axles per axle 

load group is the sum of the respective single tire and dual tire values. 

45
Figure 50. Screen Capture. Single Axle Load window for long-term JPCP analysis.

Traffic Growth Rate 

The Growth Rate information is entered in the Growth Rate window (figure 51). The user can 

choose from three different growth functions to calculate the traffic growth rate: linear, 

exponential, or logistic. Depending on the function selected, the input requirements vary. For any 

function shown, the traffic loading is divided by the base-year traffic loading and plotted against 

time. Two plot methods may be selected: annual or cumulative.

46
Figure 51. Screen Capture. Growth Rate input window for long-term JPCP analysis.

Long-Term Analysis

With the input assigned, the user should save the project file before performing a long-term JPCP

analysis. After the analysis is run, a window appears showing the analysis status. The base 

strategy is analyzed first, followed by the comparison strategy (figure 52). For each strategy, 

several structural and functional distresses are predicted, including the following: 

• Joint faulting. 

• Transverse cracking. 

• Longitudinal cracking. 

• IRI.

• Serviceability.

After the analysis is complete, users can now select the type of distress to plot by selecting the 

distress drop-down menu (figure 53). Each distress type is plotted as a function of time. The 

distress magnitudes are presented in tabular format at the end of the prediction lifetime or at the 

time the threshold value is reached, whichever occurs first.

Using the data values plot method, absolute values of the distress are provided (see plot method 

drop-down in figure 54). If the change plot method is chosen, the change in predicted distresses 

between the base strategy and the comparison strategy is plotted.

47
Figure 52. Screen Capture. Analysis window for long-term JPCP.

Figure 53. Drop-down menu for distress to plot.

Figure 54. Screen Capture. Plot method drop-down menu.

Multiple Long-Term Comparative Strategies

When more than two early-age strategies are to be compared in the long-term module, the 

comparison is accomplished by creating additional strategies with the Strategy toolbar. Once the 

strategy is created, the additional strategies to compare are selected in the Strategy Information 

window, as previously described. 

48
Early-Age and Long-Term JPCP Analysis—Sample Scenario

In this section, step-by-step instructions are provided to show the effect of aggregate selection on 

early-age thermal cracking potential and on long-term transverse cracking. The early-age inputs 

used for this exercise are presented in table 1. Input values in bold represent the inputs that are 

different for these two early-age strategies.

49
Table 1. Inputs for 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. times of placement strategies.

Input Category Input Window Input Value

Project Information

Geography Austin, TX

Monthly Weather 

Data

Estimate Monthly Data from Location

Strategy Information Reliability Level 90 percent

Design 

Geometry

New Slab Thickness = 250 mm

New Slab Width = 3.65 m

Transverse Joint Spacing = 4.5 m

Dowels Analysis Disabled

Slab Support

Material Type = HMA (rough)

k-value = 55 MPa/m 

Subbase Thickness = 15 cm

Subbase Modulus = 3500 MPa

Axial Restraint = Estimate from Material Type

Materials and Mix 

Design

Cement ASTM Cement Type Classification = Cement Type I

Blaine Fineness Index = Estimate from Cement Type

PCC Mix

Aggregate Type = Siliceous River Gravel (Baseline 

Strategy) Limestone (Comparison Strategy)

Admixtures = None

Fly Ash Class = Class F (CaO <= 7.0 percent

Coarse Aggregate = 1100 kg/m3

Fine Aggregate = 800 kg/m3

Water = 128 kg/m3

Cement = 284 kg/m3

Fly Ash = 60 kg/m3

GGBFS = 0 kg/m3

Silica Fume = 0 kg/m3

PCC Properties

28-Day Splitting Tensile Strength = 3.2 MPa

PCC 28-Day Modulus = 35,000 MPa

PCC Ultimate Drying Shrinkage = Estimate from Mix

PCC CTE = Estimate from Aggregate Type

Maturity Data Default Strength Gain

Construction Construction

Initial PCC Mix Temperature = 32.2 oC 

Initial Support Layer Temperature = 31.7 oC 

Curing Method = Single Coat Curing Liquid Compound

Age Curing Applied = 0 Hours

Sawcutting: Saw at Optimum Time

Skip Sawcutting: Not Used

Strength for Opening to Traffic = Not Relevant for This 

Analysis

Climate Climate

Construction Date: July 18, 2002 (year irrelevant for 

analysis because temperatures are historical averages)

Construction Time: 11:00 a.m.

Temperature, Windspeed, Relative Humidity, and Cloud 

Cover = Estimate from Location

HMA = Hot mix asphalt

GGBFS = Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag

PCC = Portland cement concrete

CTE = Coefficient of thermal expansion

50
To perform this analysis, a new long-term JPCP analysis is selected in the New Project selection 

window (see figure 1). The first step is to select the project location in the Geography input 

window. For details on how to do this, see the explanation presented in the Geography 

subsection of chapter 2 of this manual. If not yet chosen, use the icons in the Geography toolbar 

shown in figure 55 to select Austin, TX, in the U.S. map. 

Figure 55. Screen Capture. Icons on Geography toolbar to select Austin, TX.

Next, select “Estimate Monthly Data from Location” in the Monthly Weather data window (see 

figure 5). 

To enter the early-age inputs for the siliceous river gravel strategy, select the Strategies tab. To 

rename this strategy “Siliceous River Gravel,” right-click on it and select “Rename” or select 

“Rename” from the Strategy option on the top menu. Under “Strategy Information” the 

reliability level is set to 90 percent. In the same way, all other inputs shown in Table 1 are 

entered under the design, materials and mix design, construction, and climate input windows. For 

this exercise, data for temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and cloud cover are set to the 

default values estimated for that location.

After all the above inputs are entered, the user can perform the analysis by clicking on the 

analysis icon of the Strategy toolbar or by selecting “Run Analysis” from the Strategy option on 

the top menu. The results from this analysis are presented in figure 56. The results show a high 

risk of thermal cracking for the siliceous river gravel strategy.

pin

zoom 

drag 

51
Figure 56. Screen Capture. Early-Age Analysis window for the siliceous river gravel 

strategy.

To proceed with the second strategy (using limestone coarse aggregate), the user may either 

enter the information on a new strategy or create a copy of the siliceous river gravel strategy. The 

latter is recommended because all previously entered data that are identical for the second 

strategy will be automatically copied to the second strategy. To do this, select the siliceous river 

gravel strategy and click the copy strategy icon. “Copy of Siliceous River Gravel Strategy” 

appears under the strategy list. To rename this strategy “Limestone,” right-click it and select 

“Rename” or select “Rename” from the Strategy option on the top menu.

For the limestone strategy, change the aggregate type to limestone in the aggregate type dropdown menu under the PCC Mix input window (see figure 17). After completing the inputs for 

the limestone strategy, perform the analysis by clicking the analysis icon of the Strategy 

toolbar. The result from this analysis is presented in figure 57.

52
Figure 57. Screen Capture. Early-Age Analysis window for siliceous river gravel strategy.

After the two early-age strategies have been analyzed, select “LT JPCP” under the analysis type 

drop-down (see figure 58). Then, under “Strategy Information” select the siliceous river gravel 

early-age strategy as the base strategy and the limestone early-age strategy as the comparison 

strategy (see figure 59). Complete entries in the remaining input windows with the information 

provided in table 2.

53
Table 2. Long-term inputs for aggregate selection sample scenario.

Input Category Input Window Input Value

1. Strategy 

Information Strategy Information Base Strategy: Siliceous River GravelComparison Strategy: Limestone

Performance 

Parameters

Performance 

Parameters

Analysis Period: 30 Years

Reliability Level: 90 percent

Initial Ride: 0.8 m/km

Consider Built-in Curling Effect: Yes

Distress Thresholds: 

Maximum Joint Faulting: 3 mm 

Maximum Transverse Cracking: 25 percent

Maximum Longitudinal Cracking: 25 percent

Maximum Ride (IRI): 2.7 m/km 

Minimum Serviceability: 2.0

Joint Design Joint Design

Load Transfer Devices: Dowels and Tie-Bars

Dowel Properties:

Size (Diameter): 32 mm

Spacing: 300 mm

Modulus: 200,000 MPa

Tie-Bar Layout:

Size: 19.1 mm

Spacing: 0.9 m

Transverse Sawcut Depth: 33 percent of Thickness

Traffic Loading

General Mean Truck Tire Pressure: 0.84 MPa

Traffic Load Spectra: Estimate Spectra from ESAL

Annual ESAL (Design Lane): 250,000

Single Axle Load Estimate from ESAL

Tandem Axle Load Estimate from ESAL

Tridem Axle Load Estimate from ESAL

Growth Rate Growth Function: Linear

Annual Growth Rate: 3 percent

Plot Method: Annual

ESAL = Equivalent Single Axle Load

54
Figure 58. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu with “LT JPCP” selected.

Figure 59. Screen Capture. Selection of early-age strategies to compare.

Choose LT 

JPCP for 

Long-Term 

Analysis

55
After all the inputs have been entered, the user may perform the analysis by clicking the 

analysis icon of the Strategy toolbar or by selecting “Run Analysis” from the Strategy option on 

the top menu. The joint faulting analysis is presented after the analysis is run. Transverse 

cracking may be selected from the distress to plot drop-down menu (figure 53). The transverse 

cracking results for the siliceous river gravel and limestone early-age strategies are shown in 

figure 60. The strategy with siliceous river gravel coarse aggregate shows a greater development 

of transverse cracking compared with the strategy with limestone coarse aggregate. From this 

analysis, selecting the limestone coarse aggregate source with a lower CTE appears to result in 

better performance, both in the early age and in the long term.

Figure 60. Screen Capture. Long-term strategy transverse cracking results.

56
CHAPTER 4. EARLY-AGE CRCP ANALYSIS

In this chapter, the analysis for an early-age CRCP project type is demonstrated.

After the user selects the Early-Age CRCP option in the New Project selection window 

(figure 1), the software creates an early-age CRCP strategy with default inputs that the user can 

modify with information for the specific situation. The input windows are similar to those 

required for the early-age JPCP analysis, but with some differences. There are only two sections, 

or tabs for which input windows are categorized: Project Info and Strategies.

After inputs are entered in the Project Information window, one or more strategies for that 

specific location can be created for analysis under the strategies section.

PROJECT INFO

There are two categories of input windows under the Project Info tab: Project Information and 

Geography. These two categories are the same as those for Early-Age JPCP project types. For 

details on how to enter job-specific data for these categories, refer to the Project Information and 

Geography subsections of chapter 2 of this manual.

STRATEGIES 

Like the Strategies tab for Early-Age JPCP project types, Early-Age CRCP strategies are created 

using a toolbar of icons. For information on how to use the Strategy toolbar to create, add, or 

delete strategies, see the Strategy Toolbar subsection of chapter 2 of this manual.

The CRCP Strategies section contains the following categories of input windows:

• Strategy Information.

• Design.

• Materials and Mix Design.

• Construction.

• Environment.

Strategy Information

In the Strategy Information input window, the user can enter his or her name. After the strategy 

is run, the date of analysis will also appear in this window. A comment box is available for each 

strategy. This window is similar to the Strategy Information window for early-age JPCP 

analyses, although no reliability information is required (see the Strategy Information subsection 

of chapter 2 of this manual).

Design Inputs

The Design category includes input windows for geometry, steel design, and slab support

information.

57
Geometry

The Geometry window (figure 61) provides fields to enter the slab thickness and slab width. The 

slab width that should be entered is the widest spacing between adjacent longitudinal joints. 

Figure 61. Screen Capture. Geometry input window for early-age CRCP analysis.

In addition, long-term desirable CRCP cracking characteristics (after 1 year), including 

minimum and maximum crack spacing and average crack width, can be entered; these will later 

be indicated by the dashed lines in the early-age CRCP analysis plot. 

Steel Design

The longitudinal steel information can be entered in the Steel Design window (figure 64). 

Information about the longitudinal steel layout and steel properties is required. For the steel 

layout, the bar spacing and size are needed, as well as the number of steel mats. The steel 

properties needed are the steel yield strength, steel modulus, and CTE. HIPERPAV® then 

calculates, based on the input, the percent steel for the current slab thickness. 

58
Figure 62. Screen Capture. Steel Design input window for early-age CRCP analysis.

Slab Support

This window is the same as the one found in the Early-Age project type. For information about 

this window, see the more detailed Slab Support subsection in chapter 2 of this manual.

Materials and Mix Design Inputs

The second input category is Materials and Mix Design. It is the same as the one found in the 

Early-Age JPCP project type; for details, see the subsection Materials and Mix Design Inputs in 

chapter 2 of this manual.

Construction

The third input category pertains to construction information. The Early-Age Construction 

window is shown in figure 63. In this window, the initial temperatures of the concrete mix and 

support layer are entered. Information on the curing method used (drop-down menu) is required 

along with the time of application, and if removable curing methods are selected, the age when 

curing is removed is also required.

In addition, if the effect of construction traffic is enabled, loading conditions are required. The 

user can assess the influence of construction traffic on the performance of the CRCP by entering 

59
the days before the wheel load is applied, the wheel load, and the radius of the circular loaded 

area. 

Figure 63. Screen Capture. Early-Age Construction input window for early-age CRCP 

analysis.

Environment

The input windows for the Environment category are the same as in the Early-Age JPCP input 

windows described in the Climate Inputs subsection of chapter 2 of this manual.

Post 72-Hour Temperatures

For the early-age CRCP analysis, the post 72-hour temperatures are required (figure 64). The 

critical analysis period corresponds to the time when construction traffic is applied. For this 

period, the minimum and maximum air temperatures are also required. In addition, after the 

critical analysis period, the date of the minimum temperature for the year is needed to estimate 

the pavement age for the largest temperature drop to which the pavement will be subjected. This 

date can be estimated by HIPERPAV® (versions 3.0, 3.2, and 3.3), or it can be defined by the 

user. Similarly, either HIPERPAV III® can estimate the minimum and maximum temperatures, 

or these can be input manually. 

60
Early age for concrete includes the first 72 hours after construction for both JPCP and CRCP.

Cracking in CRCP typically progresses until approximately 1 year after construction. After 

1 year, cracking typically remains constant. The HIPERPAV III® analysis extends beyond early 

age, and up to 1 year (early life), to realistically assess the behavior of in-service CRCP.

Figure 64. Screen Capture. Post 72-hour Air Temperatures input window for early-age 

CRCP analysis.

CRCP Analysis

With the inputs assigned, the user should save the file before performing an early-age CRCP 

analysis. The Analysis window for an early-age CRCP strategy is shown in figure 65. After the 

analysis is run, a window appears showing the analysis status. The analysis output, in tabular 

format, includes the average crack spacing and its standard deviation, the average crack width, 

the maximum steel stress, and the bond development length. Interpretation of the analysis is 

performed by comparing the cracking results with the thresholds previously set in “Desirable 

CRCP Cracking Characteristics” in the Geometry input window. These thresholds are also 

presented in the Analysis window for comparison. 

The plot can either show the incremental or cumulative frequency versus crack spacing. Plots for 

the following three different points in time are provided: 1) at 3 days after construction; 2) for 

the critical analysis period when construction traffic is applied; and 3) at 1 year of age (“Time 

Period to Plot” drop-down menu in figure 66). The crack spacing frequency also is presented in 

61
tabular format. The numerical value of crack spacing frequency can also be obtained by hovering 

the mouse over the point of interest in the plot. As shown in figure 67, a help window is provided 

to caution the user on the validation of the crack width model incorporated in HIPERPAV III®. 

This window also defines the analysis period used for CRCP behavior analyses.

Also, because more than one strategy can be analyzed with HIPERPAV III®, comparisons can 

be made between the analysis results more easily. It is possible to toggle between the Analysis 

windows by selecting one strategy and then the other one (for this, the user must have analyzed 

at least two strategies previously for comparison and toggled between them).

An analysis window for evaporation rate is also provided. The Evaporation Rate Analysis is the 

same as for the early-age JPCP (see the Evaporation Rate Analysis subsection of chapter 2 of this 

manual). 

Figure 65. Screen Capture. Analysis window for early-age CRCP.

Figure 66. Screen Capture. Drop-down menu for time period to plot.

62
Figure 67. Screen Capture. Help icon under CRCP Analysis window.

Interpretation of CRCP Analysis

One of the objectives of the CRCP analysis is to achieve a crack spacing distribution that falls 

within the predefined thresholds, with only a small percentage of cracks falling above and/or 

below the maximum and minimum crack spacing limits, respectively, as shown in figure 65. In 

this analysis, both crack width and crack spacing are within acceptable limits. An example of a 

CRCP analysis with poor cracking characteristics is shown in figure 68. In this second analysis, 

neither crack spacing nor crack width fall within acceptable limits. In addition, a large 

percentage of crack spacings fall below the predefined minimum crack spacing threshold. 

63
Figure 68. Screen Capture. CRCP analysis with poor cracking characteristics.

It is also recommended to compare the maximum steel stress predicted with the steel yield 

strength to evaluate the potential of wide cracks or steel rupture. The bond development length is 

predicted to compare with the predicted crack spacing. The user should achieve a minimum 

average crack spacing of twice the bond development length to ensure good CRCP behavior. 

64
CHAPTER 5. REPORTS

For any HIPERPAV III® version 3.3 analysis, reports can be generated by clicking the print icon 

in the upper icon toolbar or by selecting “Print” from the file menu. After selecting “Print” a 

HIPERPAV® Report window is displayed as shown in figure 69. In this window, icons in the 

top left allow the user to print the report as shown, preview the report, and export the results to a 

Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. 

Figure 69. Screen Capture. HIPERPAV® Report window.

COMET MODULE

The Concrete Optimization, Management, Engineering, and Testing (COMET) module is a 

simplified derivation of the Concrete Optimization Software Tool that was developed by FHWA 

and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for optimizing concrete mixes. COMET 

can be accessed within HIPERPAV® by selecting “COMET” in the tools drop-down menu in 

the main toolbar, shown in figure 70. COMET optimizes concrete mixes based on early-age 

strength, 28-day strength, and cost.

65
Figure 70. Screen Capture. Tools drop-down menu in HIPERPAV®.

Once selected, the initial COMET window appears as shown in figure 71. Inputs and outputs can 

be selected from the menu-like list on the left side of the window. The inputs for the window 

selected are displayed on the right. The first item on the tree view, “Event Log”, reports potential 

problems that may arise while running the software. Also, the tree view shows two levels of 

inputs and outputs. Level 1 inputs generate the experiment design of trial batches required for 

optimization. Level 2 inputs produce a set of optimum mixes based on the trial batch test results, 

and desirability functions defined for each response (early-age strength, 28-day strength, and 

cost). 

As shown in figure 71, mix constituents are limited to cement, pozzolan, water, coarse aggregate, 

and fine aggregate. For each constituent, the specific gravity and cost is required. 

Figure 71. Screen Capture. Mix Constituents input window in COMET.

The user provides optimization ranges for coarse aggregate fraction, cementitious content, 

pozzolan substitution, and water-to-cement (w/cm) ratio (see figure 72).

66
Figure 72. Screen Capture. Factor Limits input window in COMET.

With the inputs in Level 1, trial batches are developed for the experimental program by running 

the “Create Trial Batches” command button in the Level 1 outputs window, as shown in 

figure 73. As a result, 29 trial batches are generated, which can be displayed in volumetric 

(percent of total volume) and gravimetric (weight per unit of volume) form. The gravimetric 

form is presented in figure 74. 

Figure 73. Screen Capture. Create trial batches command button in Level 1 Outputs.

67
Figure 74. Screen Capture. Trial batches in kg/m3

, gravimetric form.

In addition, as shown in figure 75, the cost for every trial batch is computed, and default models 

in COMET are used to predict early-age strength and 28-day strength as a function of mix 

constituents. Predicted responses are only approximate and may be used in a planning stage in 

which the mix constituents may not be known or are not available for testing. 

Figure 75. Screen Capture. Predicted responses for each trial batch.

68
After the Level 1 inputs and outputs are complete, the user can proceed with Level 2 analysis. To 

continue with this analysis, the user must enter the laboratory testing results for each response for 

the trial batches generated in Level 1 (see figure 76). Alternatively, the user may fill in these 

values using default models by clicking the “Reset to Predicted Values” command button, if a 

preliminary analysis is desirable.

Figure 76. Screen Capture. Lab results window.

The user can assign desirability functions for each of the optimization responses under the cost, 

early-age strength, and 28-day strength desirability windows. (A sample desirability function is 

shown in figure 77 for 28-day strength.)

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Figure 77. Screen Capture. Desirability function for 28-day strength.

After the Level 2 inputs are entered, optimization of mixes is performed by clicking the 

“Optimize Mixes” command button in the Level 2 outputs window (see figure 78). With this 

command, regression models based on the results from the experimental program or from the 

predicted responses are developed as a function of the mix proportions. 

Figure 78. Screen Capture. Level 2 outputs—command to optimize mixes.

These models predict responses for a comprehensive set of mixtures within the factor limits 

specified in the factor limits window. Finally, optimum mixes are identified in terms of the 

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individual desirability for every response and the maximum overall desirability for all responses, 

and are presented in volumetric and gravimetric form. Optimum mixes are shown in volumetric 

form in figure 79.

Figure 79. Screen Capture. Optimum mixes sorted by desirability in volumetric form.

In addition, the optimum mixes are also displayed in terms of the optimization factors, predicted 

responses, and individual response desirabilities as shown in figure 80, figure 81, and figure 82

respectively.

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Figure 80. Screen Capture. Optimum mixtures in terms of optimization factors. 

Figure 81. Screen Capture. Response predictions for optimum mixtures.

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Figure 82. Screen Capture. Individual response desirabilities for optimum mixtures.

A report that can be used for printing the inputs and outputs for the entire analysis is generated, 

as shown in figure 83. To print, click on the print icon on the upper icon toolbar.

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Figure 83. Screen Capture. Report view for printing purposes.

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REFERENCES

1. Ruiz, J.M., Rasmussen, R.O., Chang, G.K., Dick, J.C., and Nelson, P.K. ComputerBased Guidelines for Concrete Pavements Volume II—Design and Construction 

Guidelines and HIPERPAV II® User’s Manual, Office of Infrastructure Research and 

Development, FHWA-HRT-04-122, Federal Highway Administration, February 2005.

2. Ruiz, J.M., Xu, Q., Chang, G.K., Dick, J.C., Garber, S.I., and Rasmussen R.O. 

HIPERPAV III® Moisture Transport and Sensitivity Analysis Enhancements, FHWA09-048, Federal Highway Administration, January 2009.

3. Ioannides, A.M. and Korovesis, G.T., “Analysis and Design of Doweled Slab-onGrade Pavement Systems,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, 118(6), pp. 745–

768, November–December 1992.

4. Robert, O.R. and Rozycki, D.K., “Characterization and Modeling of Axial SlabSupport Restraint,” Transportation Research Record No. 1778, Transportation 

Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC, 2001.

5. FHWA. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion in Concrete Pavements, Advanced 

Concrete Pavement Technology Program, FHWA-HIF-09-015, Washington, DC, 

October 2011.

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