Software Users Manual:

PDDXconvert
Developed for Pooled Fund Study TPF-5(039)
Falling Weight Deflectometer Calibration Center and
Operational Improvements

November 2010

FOREWORD
This report will provide guidance for user of the PDDXconvert software package, primarily as a
stand-alone computer program. PDDXconvert was written to interface between native file
formats produced by the commercially available falling weight deflectometers (FWDs) and the
data input format for the WinFWDCal software that is used for calibrating FWDs. PDDXconvert
standardizes the data format using the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Official's (AASHTO's) Pavement Deflection Data Exchange (PDDX) format.
PDDXconvert can also be used as a stand alone program. It can be used to harmonize the FWD
data file format used with various backcalculation programs. The report will be of interest to
engineers who perform structural evaluation of pavements. This final report covers the initial 2year Phase I and the subsequent Task Orders 1 and 2 of the pooled fund study TPF-5(039).

Jorge Pagan-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.

TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

1. Report No.
2. Government Accession No.
none
4. Title and Subtitle
Software Users Manual: PDDXconvert

3. Recipients Catalog No.

7. Author(s)
David P. Orr, Lynne H. Irwin, and Robert Hansen
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Cornell University Local Roads Program
416 Riley-Robb Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853

8. Performing Organization Report No.

CLRP Report No. 2010-05
10. Work Unit No.

5. Report Date
November 2010
6. Performing Organization Code:

11. Contract or Grant No.

DTFH61-04-C-00041
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report, September 2004November 2010
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
HRDI-13

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296
15. Supplementary Notes
Contracting Officers Technical Representatives (COTR): Eric Weaver (2004-08) and Jane Jiang (2008-10)
16. Abstract
The objective of pooled fund study TPF-5(039) is to upgrade the existing falling weight deflectometer (FWD)
calibration system to make calibration sustainable for the next decade without a loss of quality while ensuring
any new procedures are compatible with all brands of FWDs sold in the United States. This involves upgrading
the hardware and software used in calibration to take advantage of improvements in technology.
PDDXconvert is used to translate the FWD native file format into a standardized Pavement Deflection Data
Exchange format that is prescribed by AASHTO. This enables the FWD calibration software, WinFWDCal, to
import FWD data electronically, saving time and avoiding data entry errors. WinFWDCal and PDDXconvert
work together automatically, and no user input is required to manage the data entry process.

PDDXconvert may also be used as a stand-alone program. For example, it can be used in conjunction with
backcalculation programs to allow data from several different manufacturers' FWDs to be processed by the same
program. This users guide is written to assist that mode of program usage.

17. Key Words

18. Distribution Statement
falling weight deflectometer, FWD,
No restrictions. This document is available through the
backcalculation, calibration, PDDX format,
National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA
electronic data entry, file format conversion
22161.
19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page)
21. No. of Pages
22. Price
Unclassified
Unclassified
15
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

in
ft
yd
mi

inches
feet
yards
miles

in2
2
ft
yd2
ac
2
mi

square inches
square feet
square yard
acres
square miles

fl oz
gal
ft3
3
yd

fluid ounces
gallons
cubic feet
cubic yards

oz
lb
T

ounces
pounds
short tons (2000 lb)

Fahrenheit

Multiply By
LENGTH
25.4
0.305
0.914
1.61

To Find

Symbol

millimeters
meters
meters
kilometers

mm
m
m
km

square millimeters
square meters
square meters
hectares
square kilometers

mm2
2
m
m2
ha
2
km

AREA
645.2
0.093
0.836
0.405
2.59

VOLUME
29.57
milliliters
3.785
liters
0.028
cubic meters
0.765
cubic meters
3
NOTE: volumes greater than 1000 L shall be shown in m

mL
L
m3
3
m

MASS
28.35
0.454
0.907

grams
kilograms
megagrams (or "metric ton")

g
kg
Mg (or "t")

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees)

F

5 (F-32)/9
or (F-32)/1.8

Celsius

lux
2
candela/m

lx
2
cd/m

ILLUMINATION
fc
fl

foot-candles
foot-Lamberts

10.76
3.426

lbf
lbf/in2

poundforce
poundforce per square inch

Symbol

When You Know

mm
m
m
km

millimeters
meters
meters
kilometers

mm2
2
m
2
m
ha
2
km

square millimeters
square meters
square meters
hectares
square kilometers

mL
L
m3
3
m

milliliters
liters
cubic meters
cubic meters

g
kg
Mg (or "t")

grams
kilograms
megagrams (or "metric ton")

Celsius

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS

4.45
6.89

newtons
kilopascals

N
kPa

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS FROM SI UNITS

Multiply By
LENGTH
0.039
3.28
1.09
0.621

To Find

Symbol

inches
feet
yards
miles

in
ft
yd
mi

square inches
square feet
square yards
acres
square miles

in2
2
ft
2
yd
ac
2
mi

fluid ounces
gallons
cubic feet
cubic yards

fl oz
gal
ft3
3
yd

ounces
pounds
short tons (2000 lb)

oz
lb
T

AREA
0.0016
10.764
1.195
2.47
0.386

VOLUME
0.034
0.264
35.314
1.307

MASS
0.035
2.202
1.103

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees)

C

1.8C+32

Fahrenheit

foot-candles
foot-Lamberts

fc
fl

ILLUMINATION
lx
2
cd/m

lux
2
candela/m

N
kPa

newtons
kilopascals

0.0929
0.2919

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS

0.225
0.145

poundforce
poundforce per square inch

lbf
2
lbf/in

*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
PDDXCONVERT SOFTWARE .............................................................................................. 1
THE PDDX STANDARD ........................................................................................................ 1
INSTALLING PDDXCONVERT............................................................................................ 1
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS................................................................................................ 2
CHAPTER 2. MENU ITEMS...................................................................................................... 3
EXIT .......................................................................................................................................... 3
OPEN......................................................................................................................................... 3
REVIEWING FILES ............................................................................................................... 4
CONFIGURE ........................................................................................................................... 6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 7
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................. 9

iii

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Photo. Exit message if unsaved PDDX file exists........................................................3
Figure 2. Photo. Open dialog box for PDDXconvert. .................................................................4
Figure 3. Photo. Review screen from PDDXconvert. .................................................................5
Figure 4. Photo. Configuration screen from PDDXconvert.......................................................5

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. PDDX command line file type codes. ............................................................................2

iv

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
PDDXCONVERT SOFTWARE
The PDDXconvert software was developed as part of an FHWA pooled fund study TPF-5(039):
FWD Calibration Center and Operational Improvements.(1)
PDDXconvert is a computer program designed to convert the native data from each brand of
falling weight deflectometer (FWD) into a modified version of the AASHTO Pavement
Deflection Data Exchange (PDDX) file.(2)
PDDXconvert runs in the background of the FWD calibration software, WinFWDCal. To
electronically transfer FWD data in native file format to WinFWDCal, PDDXconvert is called
using a command line option in WinFWDCal. Instructions on how to use the command line
options are provided in the Command Line Option section of this chapter.
THE PDDX STANDARD
The purpose of the AASHTO Pavement Deflection Data Exchange (PDDX) standard is to foster
a uniform file format for output from all types of pavement deflection devices, including FWDs.
A harmonized file format allows programmers to develop deflection data analysis programs
without the need to provide file readers for the many different formats that have been produced
by equipment manufacturers over a period of years.
While the intent of the standard is to define a harmonized data format, it is not intended to
replace the native file formats of the various manufacturers. Both formats can be provided if the
manufacturer so chooses. Equipment owners have the option to select the desired output file
format. The PDDX format can be used for static, steady-state vibratory, and dynamic pulseloading devices, although the primary focus of standard is for pulse-loading devices (i.e.,
FWDs).
The PDDX format groups related data items into sections with descriptive names and is similar
to the INI format used in Windows-based configuration files. Each line in the file can be either a
section heading or a data entry field with one or more values.
The data created by PDDXconvert do not match the version 1.0 standard from AASHTO. Minor
modifications were needed to meet the needs of FWD calibration. The revised, version 2.0
format of the PDDX Standard created by PDDXconvert is described in the published report of
the pooled fund study TPF-5(039).(1)
INSTALLING PDDXCONVERT
PDDXconvert can be used with WinFWDCal in FWD Calibration or as a self standing program.
PDDXconvert is automatically installed when WinFWDCal is installed.

Software Users Manual: PDDXconvert

For a stand-alone installation, the Install PDDXConvert.msi, is used to install the software. The
default location is the same as WinFWDCal, C:\WinFWDCal, but the user may install the
software at any location of their choosing.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
PDDXconvert can be used in command line mode to generate files automatically. This could be
set up as a batch file, or in a command from within another computer program.
This is how the FWD calibration software, WinFWDCal, calls PDDXconvert when converting
native files into PDDX Standard format.
To call PDDXconvert with the Command Line Option
The following example uses a Visual Basic 6.0 shell command. Different programming
languages will have different format requirements.
Shell app.Path & "\PDDXConvert.exe" + CommandLine
where:
CommandLine
Filename
CurrentFileType

= " " + Filename + ", " + CStr(CurrentFileType)

= The name of the file to be converted including the path.
= An integer assigned to the native file type to be converted.

The first blank space in CommandLine is needed to separate the command \PDDXConvert.exe
from the name of the file. The comma and blank are needed to separate the file name from the
file type. The current file types are shown in table 1.
Table 1. PDDX command line file type codes.
FileTypes
PDDX Standard
Dynatest F25 files output format
Dynatest F20 files in R32-20 and R80-20
'SHRP' compatible format
Carl Bro FWD output format
Carl Bro configuration file exported as text
JILS DAT output format
JILS Setup.Par configuration file
KUAB FWD output format
KUAB INI configuration file
JILS CFG configuration file

Integer sent with

command line
0
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10

CHAPTER 2. MENU ITEMS

EXIT
Exits PDDXconvert. You will be asked to save any files that have been opened, but not yet saved
in PDDX format. The following window will appear for each PDDX file that has been generated,
but not saved.

Figure 1. Photo. Exit message if unsaved PDDX file exists.

OPEN
Opens a file browser allowing a user to open files of various formats and configurations. As
shown in figure 2, PDDXconvert supports the following field data collection operational formats:

Dynatest F20 files in R32-20 and R80-20 'SHRP' compatible format.

Dynatest F25 files from both Version 25 and FWDWin operational programs.

Carl Bro FWD output format.

JILS DAT output format.

KUAB FWD output format.

PDDX Format (allows user to check for missing data needed for FWD Calibration).

In addition, the program supports several FWD configuration file formats to allow direct
importation of the existing settings into WinFWDCal, the FWD calibration software.

KUAB INI configuration file.

Carl Bro configuration file exported as text with the RoSy software program or other
text based configuration files.

JILS Setup.Par and .CFG configuration files (A current Set.Par, cfg and DAT file need to
be imported during calibration setup to get all of the serial numbers and gains associated
with a JILS FWD).

To use, select the file type by selecting a radio button and then browse for a file. Once the file
name has been selected, it will be translated and placed into a PDDX format window. The data
should be reviewed to be sure all necessary information is present.
3

Software Users Manual: PDDXconvert

A Blank PDDX button is available to create data manually in PDDX format. Be sure any data
meet the PDDX standard. Once a blank PDDX is created, add test locations by clicking on the
Add Tests button. Input the number of drops for the test location in the input box.
Once it has been reviewed or prepared, the PDDX file needs to be written. To write the file, click
on Write PDDX File. A file name with the same root name, but the DDX extension is suggested
and will be saved in the same folder as the initial file unless changed in the file dialog box.

Figure 2. Photo. Open dialog box for PDDXconvert.

REVIEWING FILES
PDDXconvert creates a window (figure 3) with all of the possible PDDX fields available in nine
sections. Additional details on the sections can be found in the Appendix C of the project
report.(1)

Pavement Deflection Data Exchange File.

Operations Information.

Units.

Device Information.

Device Configuration.

Device Calibration.

Location Identification.
4

Chapter 2. Menu Items

Figure 3. Photo. Review screen from PDDXconvert.

Figure 4. Photo. Configuration screen from PDDXconvert.

Software Users Manual: PDDXconvert

Data Configuration.

Test Location Number.

The user should review each section carefully. The first column in figure 3 shows the section.
The second column shows the possible data items, while the third column shows the associated
value or values. If the third column is blank, the particular data are assumed to be missing and
will NOT be written during the PDDX file generation.
CONFIGURE
This command allows the user to specify the default file type and location for the input files
(figure 4). Only the field data collection operational formats are allowed to be chosen as defaults.
The data formats used as part of FWD calibration are not selectable.
The user selects the format to be set as the default and uses the browse command button to enter
the default location to save files.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many individuals including calibration center operators and FWD manufacturers provided
helpful assistance, advice, and permission to use information provided during the development of
the calibration protocol and the PDDXconvert software.
The authors particularly want to thank Peter Schmalzer, Half-Space Engineering, who provided
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code for importing several of the file formats
FWD Manufacturers
Ren Clemen, Klavs Olsen and Hans Christian Korsgaard Carl Bro
Karsten Skrydstrup, William Beck and Dave Morrow Dynatest
Abbas Butt and Ole Tholen ERI-KUAB
Reuben Williams and Tim Martin Fugro Consultants LP
Gary Sanati, President/CEO JILS
FWD Calibration Centers
Dave Wassel and Cal Heinl North Atlantic LTPP FWD Calibration Center
David Bullock North Central LTPP FWD Calibration Center
Eric Prieve and Ed Trujillo Western LTPP FWD Calibration Center
John Ragsdale Southern LTPP FWD Calibration Center

REFERENCES
1. Irwin, L.H., D.P. Orr, and D. Atkins. (2010) FWD Calibration Center and Operational
Improvements: Redevelopment of the Calibration Protocol and Equipment.
Report No. FHWA-HRT-07-040. Office of Infrastructure Research and Development,
Federal Highway Administration. McLean, VA
2. AASHTO, (1998) Pavement Deflection Data Exchange, Technical Data Guide. Version 1.0
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Washington, D.C.: