# US 12,000,095 B1 · Systems and computer-implemented methods for analyzing transfer of force through pavement slabs

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- Number: US 12,000,095 B1
- Document ID: US12000095B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/471,470
- Filed: 2021-09-10
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-06
- Assignees: Integrated Roadways, LLC
- Applicants: Integrated Roadways, LLC
- Inventors: Tim Sylvester
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000095B1

## CPC

- E01C 11/00: Details of pavings {(E01C1/005, E01C5/003, E01C5/005, E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325 take precedence)}
- E01C 5/00: Pavings made of prefabricated single units (specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/04, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00; making artificial stones C04B; building stones E04C; flooring E04F)
- E01C 5/005: {Individual couplings or spacer elements for joining the prefabricated units (E01C5/10 takes precedence)}
- E01C 5/06: made of units with cement or like binders
- E01C 11/16: Reinforcements ({as anchoring elements between layers E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325} ; for building in general E04C)
- E01C 23/01: Devices or auxiliary means for setting-out or checking the configuration of new surfacing, e.g. templates, screed {or reference line} supports (form rails E01C19/50); Applications of apparatus for measuring, indicating, or recording the surface configuration of existing surfacing, e.g. profilographs (E01C23/07 takes precedence; measuring roughness or irregularity in general G01B)
- G01G 3/125: {wherein the weighing element is an optical member}
- G01G 19/022: {for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies in motion (G01G19/045 takes precedence)}
- G01G 19/025: {wheel-load scales}
- G01G 19/03: for weighing during motion ({G01G19/022, G01G19/045,} G01G19/04, G01G19/07 take precedence {; weighing a continuous stream material during flow G01G11/00; check weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers G01G15/00})
- G01G 19/52: Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture (with walking sticks A45B3/08)
- G01K 11/3206: at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering
- G01L 1/246: {using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings}
- G01L 17/00: Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies
- G01M 5/0041: {by determining deflection or stress}
- G01M 5/0091: {by using electromagnetic excitation or detection}
- G01P 3/36: Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light (G01P3/68 takes precedence; gyrometers using the Sagnac effect, i.e. rotation-induced shifts between counter-rotating electromagnetic beams G01C19/64)
- E01C 2201/00: Paving elements
- E01C 2201/20: Drainage details
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01P: MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT (measuring or recording blood flow A61B5/02, A61B8/06; monitoring speed or deceleration of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L3/00; vehicle lighting systems adapted to indicate speed B60Q1/54; determining position or course in navigation, measuring ground distance in geodesy or surveying G01C; combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement G01C23/00; measuring velocity of sound G01H; measuring velocity of light G01J7/00; measuring direction or velocity of solid objects by reception or emission of radiowaves or other waves and based on propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time, direction of propagation, G01S; measuring speed of nuclear radiation G01T; measuring acceleration of gravity G01V; {measuring or recording the speed of trains B61L23/00; speed indicators incorporated in motor vehicles B60K35/00; measuring frequency or phase G01R; traffic control G08G})

## Abstract

A system for pavement slab analysis based on data regarding transfer of force through a sensing volume responsive to exertion of weight on the sensing volume by passing objects including a precast pavement slab defining the sensing volume and having a top surface, a plurality of strain gauges embedded in the pavement slab within the sensing volume, and load-transferring connector(s) attaching the pavement slab to an adjacent slab. The strain gauges are distributed across an XY coordinate plane parallel to the top surface. The system also includes a processing element and computer-readable instructions for receipt of electrical signals from the strain gauges and to analysis of the electrical signals to determine one or more of the following: (A) risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab, and (C) movement of the passing objects across the top surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer-implemented method for pavement slab analysis based on data regarding transfer of force through a sensing volume responsive to exertion of weight on the sensing volume by passing objects, the method comprising:
receiving, at a processing element, electrical signals from a plurality of strain gauges embedded in a precast pavement slab defining the sensing volume, the plurality of strain gauges being distributed across an XY coordinate plane, the XY plane being parallel to a top surface of the pavement slab; and
analyzing, at the processing element, the electrical signals to determine one or more of the following: (A) risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab, and (C) movement of the passing objects across the top surface;
the pavement slab being attached to an adjacent slab with one or more load-transferring connectors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein multiple electrical signals are collected across time from each of the plurality of strain gauges, the analysis of the electrical signals including determining localized variances in strain responses in one or more corresponding segments of the sensing volume and the analysis determining one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the analysis includes comparing a first localized paving element response in a first segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a first of the plurality of strain gauges against a second paving element response in a second segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a second of the plurality of strain gauges and determining that differences between the paving element responses of the first and second segments is indicative of one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the analysis includes comparing a first localized paving element response in a first segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a first of the plurality of strain gauges against a second paving element response in a second segment of a second sensing volume of the adjacent slab and determining that differences between the paving element responses of the first and second segments is indicative of one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the analysis includes determining a change in strain detected by at least two of the plurality of strain gauges to determine movement of one of the passing objects across the top surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gauges is distributed across both sides of a middle of the pavement slab as determined along the X axis of the XY coordinate plane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gauges is distributed across at least fifty percent (50%) of a longitudinal length of the pavement slab as determined along the Y axis of the XY coordinate plane.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the pavement slab defines an internal pocket extending from one of a plurality of side faces for each of the one or more load-transferring connectors, the plurality of strain gauges being distributed so as to overlap with one or more of the internal pockets on the XY plane.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of strain gauges comprise one or more fiber optic sensing cables.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the processing element is housed in a server remote from the pavement slab.

### Claim 11

A system for pavement slab analysis based on data regarding transfer of force through a sensing volume responsive to exertion of weight on the sensing volume by passing objects, the system comprising:
a precast pavement slab defining the sensing volume and having a top surface;
a plurality of strain gauges embedded in the pavement slab within the sensing volume, the plurality of strain gauges being distributed across an XY coordinate plane, the XY plane being parallel to the top surface;
one or more load-transferring connectors attaching the pavement slab to an adjacent slab; and
a processing element and non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions instructing the processing element to perform the following steps—
receive electrical signals from the plurality of strain gauges,
analyze the electrical signals to determine one or more of the following:
(A) risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab, and
(C) movement of the passing objects across the top surface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein multiple electrical signals are collected across time from each of the plurality of strain gauges, the analysis of the electrical signals including determining localized variances in strain responses in one or more corresponding segments of the sensing volume and the analysis determining one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the analysis includes comparing a first localized paving element response in a first segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a first of the plurality of strain gauges against a second paving element response in a second segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a second of the plurality of strain gauges and determining that differences between the paving element responses of the first and second segments is indicative of one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the analysis includes comparing a first localized paving element response in a first segment of the sensing volume corresponding to a first of the plurality of strain gauges against a second paving element response in a second segment of a second sensing volume of the adjacent slab and determining that differences between the paving element responses of the first and second segments is indicative of one or both of: (A) the risk of a structural defect in the pavement slab, (B) the risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the pavement slab.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the analysis includes determining a change in strain detected by at least two of the plurality of strain gauges to determine movement of one of the passing objects across the top surface.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of gauges is distributed across both sides of a middle of the pavement slab as determined along the X axis of the XY coordinate plane.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of gauges is distributed across at least fifty percent (50%) of a longitudinal length of the pavement slab as determined along the Y axis of the XY coordinate plane.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the pavement slab defines an internal pocket extending from one of a plurality of side faces for each of the one or more load-transferring connectors, the plurality of strain gauges being distributed so as to overlap with one or more of the internal pockets on the XY plane.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of strain gauges comprise one or more fiber optic sensing cables.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the processing element is housed in a server remote from the pavement slab.