EverFE: Software for the 3D Finite Element

Analysis of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements

What is EverFE?
EverFE (current version 2.24) is a user-friendly 3D finite-element analysis tool for
simulating the response of jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) systems to axle loads
and environmental effects. EverFE is useful for both concrete pavement researchers and
designers who must perform either complex nonlinear or simple linear stress analyses of
JPCP. The Universities of Maine and Washington jointly developed EverFE with funding from the
Washington and California State Departments of Transportation. EverFE is available free from
this website to any interested users, and is easily installed on any Windows computer
running NT4.0, Windows 2000, or XP. A complementary software package, EverStressFE,
is available for the analysis of jointed plain concrete pavements.

Significant Features of EverFE

EverFE couples a highly interactive graphical user interface for model development and
result visualization written in Tcl/Tk/Tix/vTk with finite-element code written in object-
oriented C++. The finite element analysis strategies are very computationally efficient and
focus on specific phenomena that are significant for JPCP. Specialized elements and
constitutive relations are used to model dowel and aggregate interlock load transfer across
transverse and longitudinal pavement joints, as well as shear transfer between the
pavements slabs and base layer. The core solver is based on a multigrid-preconditioned
conjugate gradient algorithm suitable for use with un-nested mesh sequences, multiple
element types, and problems involving inequality constraints arising from nodal contact.
Specific features of EverFE are listed below.
 1, 2, or 3 slab/shoulder units can be modeled longitudinally and/or transversely (up
to 9 slab/shoulder units total in a 3x3 configuration). Tie bars can be explicitly
specified between adjacent slab/shoulder units.
Up to three elastic base layers with a bonded or un-bonded base can be specified.
Slab-base shear transfer can be captured via an elastic-plastic distributed horizontal
stiffness between the slabs and base. A tensionless or tension-supporting dense
liquid foundation underlies the bottom-most model layer.
Linear or nonlinear aggregate interlock can be simulated at transverse joints.
Dowels can be precisely located across transverse joints, and dowel looseness
modeled. In lieu of modeling dowel looseness, a dowel-slab support modulus can be
specified to model dowel/slab interaction.
Dowel misalignment and mislocation can be modeled.
A variety of different axle configurations can be easily defined with a minimum
amount of input.
Linear, bilinear, and trilinear thermal gradients through the slab thickness can be
captured.
EverFE's extensive post-processing capabilities permit the visualization of stresses,
displacements, and internal dowel forces and moments. Critical response values at
any point in the model can be easily retrieved.
Interactive help files are integral with the latest versions (2.23 and 2.24), and
accessible from EverFE's help menu. The help files include tutorials to help new
users get acquainted with the software. A theory manual is also installed with
EverFE2.24 that gives the fundamental basis for EverFE's finite-element strategies,
and provides references to relevant literature on the 3D finite-element analysis of
JPCP in sources such as the Transportation Research Record, the Journal of
Transportation Engineering, etc.

Obtaining and Installing EverFE

For Windows XP and Vista: Download EverFE2.24.exe. This file is a Windows executable
for XP and 32-bit Vista that will install all software and documentation. EverFE can then be
run using the new desktop icon or from the Programs menu. Note that you can install
EverFE2.24 on top of older versions without losing the data from your existing projects.
Version 2.24 allows spaces to be used in project names, but is otherwise identical to version
2.23 -- go here for details. To work around Windows security settings, you must install
EverFE directly in C::\EverFE2.24 (the default directory). This version has not been tested
with the 64-bit version of Vista.

For Windows 7: Download EverFE2.25.exe. This file is a Windows executable for

Windows 7 only that will install all software and documentation. It is otherwise identical to
EverFE2.24. You must install this version directly in C::\EverFE2.25 to avoid issues with
Windows security settings. This version has been tested with the 64-bit version of
Windows 7.