1/15/2016 Topic: BSM Loudon unpublished transfer function Fenella Johns Administrator	We have included the BSM Loudon transfer function in our LET Tool. Please note that this transfer function has not been officially published, and we do not have the wealth of experience with this transfer function that we have with the traditional South African Mechanistic Design Method transfer functions. Please use it with great caution. As always, we recommend a holistic approach to pavement design and that you use a few different methods for every design.
1/25/2016 Topic: Installing in the Program Files or C:/ directories Fenella Johns Administrator	The default installation of Rubicon Toolbox is into the C:/Program Files directory. However, if you have a 64 bit computer, you will need to install Rubicon in the C:/Program Files (x86) directory. However, Microsoft is making it increasingly difficult to access the Project Files directory. If you are having problems with installing Rubicon here, or using the program when it's installed, then you can try to: Ensure the C:/Program Files or C:/Program Files (x86) directory is not write-protected. Open Rubicon using "Run as Administrator". To do this you will need to find the "Toolbox.exe" file in the folder where the program was installed (typically C:/Program Files/MAS/Rubicon Toolbox or C:/Program Files (x86)/MAS/Rubicon Toolbox), right click and select "Run as Administrator". If you still have problems installing or using Rubicon, you can bypass all the accessibility issues by installing Rubicon directly into the C:/ directory. When you start the Rubicon installation process (using Rubicon ToolBox1.msi, you have to change the installation directory from C:/Program Files to C:/. When you run the upgrade installer (Rubicon Upgrade Extractor Vxxx.exe), you also need to change the default search directory to C:/. Remember you can always contact us if you need help! edited by fenella@rubsol.co.za on 1/25/2016
1/27/2016 Topic: Pavement Definition Tool Not Accepting Inputs? Fenella Johns Administrator	If your Pavement Definition Tool is not accepting data, then it is most likely that you computer has it's decimal marker set to a comma and not a fullstop/period. Rubicon Toolbox requires a fullstop, but many new computers in South Africa are preset to have a comma. To change the decimal marker from a comma to a fullstop, follow these steps: Go to Control Panel, Region (Windows 8) Select Additional Settings Go to Decimal Symbol, and change the symbol to a fullstop (.) -you normally have to type it in, it's not usually in the dropdown list. Click on Apply Click OK to get out the Control Panel. The Pavement Structure Definition Tool (and others) should now work!
9/10/2016 Topic: Thin asphalt layers in mechanistic design Fenella Johns Administrator	During the development of the South African TRH4 Pavement Structural Design Catalogue (1996), thin asphalt layers (< 40 mm) were excluded from the calculation of the critical layer and pavement life. Note that in this approach, the layer itself must still be included in the definition of the pavement structure to account for the asphalt layer thickness and stiffness contribution. This was done for two reasons: The SA fatigue transfer functions are conservative, and almost always predict that the asphalt layer will fail very early. Fatigue failure of the asphalt does not mean the pavement has failed. Routine maintenance (such as crack sealing to prevent water ingress) is assumed and must be performed to make sure the pavement achieves its service objectives over the full structural design period. If this approach is adopted within Rubicon Toolbox, the asphalt layer must be included in the pavement definition. To exclude the layer from the pavement life calculation in the Online Tools, select NONE for the transfer function. It must be noted, however, that with increase in tyre pressures since the 1990s, this approach can introduce risks. It is recommended that designers do sensitivity analyses checking asphalt working strains and use other available transfer functions in a benchmarking exercise. Ideally, the asphalt life should equate to the typical life expectancy of thin asphalt surfacings within the climatic region under consideration – typically 8 to 12 years in southern Africa. edited by on 9/18/2023 edited by on 9/18/2023
11/14/2016 Topic: Adding New Failure Criteria Fenella Johns Administrator	If you have Failure Criteria that you need to use in design calculations but are not available in the Rubicon Online Tools, you can email us the details and we will add the criteria for you. For us to do this, your criteria need to be in a form that allows their use in multi-layer linear elastic calculations. If you would like us to add an equation form, please provide us with the following details: Name for Criteria – be as specific as possible (imagine in time we’ll have a list of 1000!) Exact equation form. Preferably in the Nf = or log Nf = format, and shown as an equation picture Definition of all constants Definition of all other inputs (if applicable), with units Stress or strain parameter used in the equation Where stress/strain calculated (top/bottom/middle of layer; under & between the wheel) Unit for stress/strain parameter (e.g. strain is in microstrain or no unit, stress in kPa, etc) Is a shift factor used? If so, please define Two sample calculations (can be provided in a spreadsheet) showing all the details of the calculation, to use as a check. The Stress-Strain Tool will help you put the examples together A reference for the Transfer Function - preferably the full reference document Note that Failure Criteria added to Rubicon Toolbox online tools will currently be available to all clients and users. We will display the name of company who provided the information regarding the criterion as part of the criterion report. Please email these details to support@rubicontoolbox.com. edited on 12/14/2016 edited by on 10/17/2023

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