Welcome to the Memorial University of Newfoundland – Canadian Asphalt Binder Selection (CABS) tool! With this tool, pavement temperatures can be calculated using three different pavement temperature models: LTPP, SHRP, and the newly developed Canadian Pavement Temperature (CPT) Model. In addition, this tool is capable of suggesting the base asphalt binder grade based on computed pavement temperatures.

How to use: Anyone can use this trial version of the web-based tool. It is a user-friendly tool and constructed in step-by-step process. Upon initial entry to CABS, the software will prompt the user to input a project name and a project engineer. Next, the user should select the province and location of interest for their purposes through the available drop down lists. Once the province is selected, the location drop down list will be customized to display all the locations investigated within this province through the study. If the desired location is not available in this list, the user can select the part of province, where the project is located. The final drop down menu allows the user to select which pavement temperature model is to be used; CPT, SHRP, or LTPP. Based on the selected model, CABS will prompt the user to input the required relevant variables. In the case of the CPT model for example, air temperatures, standard deviations, depth to surface, latitude, and reliability are the required inputs. Furthermore, for the CPT model, CABS automatically determines which cluster the location of interest falls within based on the inputed location information. When all of the required data is entered, the “calculate” button may be clicked and the pavement temperature will be computed and displayed. In addition to providing the high and low pavement surface temperatures, CABS also returns the recommended base asphalt binder grade. It should be noted that the suggested binder is not corrected for traffic and is only recommended based on the computed temperatures.

Note: The new CPT model is a recently developed pavement temperature model for use specifically in Canada. CPT model functions by geographically dividing Canada into clusters of unique climatic zones. Independent temperature prediction equations were developed for each of these zones to accurately encompass the complex and varied Canadian climate.

Link to the Software: MUN-CABS Tool

How to use it: MUN-CABS Tutorial

Link to the Original Paper: The CPT Model Paper

Contact Information:

Dr. Kamal Hossain
Assosiate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Carleton University, Ottawa
Advanced Road & Transportation Engineering Lab (ARTEL)
Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
Email: kamal.hossain@carleton.ca

Surya Teja Swarna
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Civil Engineering
Advanced Road & Transportation Engineering Lab (ARTEL)
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John’s, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
Email: stswarna@mun.ca

Alyssa Bernier
M.A.Sc Student
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Advanced Road & Transportation Engineering Lab (ARTEL)
Carleton University, Ottawa
Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
Email: alyssabernier@cmail.carleton.ca