Abstract: A segment of roadway includes a body having a top surface, a length along a direction of travel that is bisected by a length midpoint, and a width perpendicular to the direction of travel and bisected by a width midpoint. A strain sensor array is embedded in the body and includes a plurality of vehicle-strain sensors having at least one of a length and a spatial resolution along the length dimension of equal to or less than fifty centimeters (50 cm). The plurality of vehicle-strain sensors are configured to detect strain on the body resulting from vehicles traveling across the top surface, and are distributed across the body such that at least thirty percent (30%) of the vehicle-strain sensors are positioned on each side of each of the length and width midpoints.

Abstract: A modular pavement slab comprises a body, a strain sensor array, and a sensor processor. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The modular pavement slab is configured to be coupled to at least one other modular pavement slab via connectors along at least one of the side surfaces. The strain sensor array is retained within the body and is configured to detect a plurality of strains on the body resulting from vehicular traffic across the top surface of the body. The sensor processor is in communication with the strain sensor array. The sensor processor is configured to communicate input signals to the strain sensor array, receive output signals from the strain sensor array, and determine a plurality of time-varying strain values, each strain value indicating a strain experienced over time by a successive one of a plurality of regions of the body.

Abstract: A segment of roadway includes a body having a top surface and a strain sensor array comprising one or more optical fiber cables embedded in the body. The strain sensor array includes an integrity sensor and vehicle-strain sensors. The vehicle-strain sensors are configured to detect strain on the body resulting from vehicles traveling across the top surface. Each of the vehicle-strain sensors has at least one of a spatial resolution and a length extending substantially parallel to a direction of travel of equal to or less than fifty centimeters (50 cm), and the integrity sensor has at least one of a spatial resolution and a length of greater than fifty centimeters (50 cm).

Abstract: A segment of roadway including a body and a strain sensor array embedded in the body. The strain sensor array includes vehicle-strain sensors configured to detect strain on the body resulting from vehicles traveling across the top surface. The strain sensor array includes an optical fiber cable comprising the plurality of vehicle-strain sensors, and the optical fiber cable is embedded in a configuration that includes a bend with a bend radius of at least twenty millimeters (20 mm). Each of the vehicle-strain sensors is separated from the bend by a length along the optical fiber cable of at least one centimeter (1 cm), and each of the vehicle-strain sensors is separated from each other of the vehicle-strain sensors by a length along the optical fiber cable of at least one centimeter (1 cm).

Abstract: A pavement system includes a slab having a body comprising pavement materials presenting a top surface. The system includes a reinforcement layer comprising geogrid materials embedded in the body, strain sensors fixed to the reinforcement layer, and a processor configured to collect multiple electrical signals across time from each of the strain sensors and to analyze the electrical signals to determine one or more of: (A) risk of a structural defect in the slab, (B) risk of a problem with underlying sub-grade beneath the slab, and (C) movement of passing objects across the top surface.