Unit 10 Vertical Curves 10.1 Introduction Vertical curves are used to introduce a gradual change between tangent grades. They are parabolic in shape and not part of a circle as horizontal curves. Vertical curves are either sag or crest as shown in Figure 10.1. The major design criterion in designing vertical curves is to select the proper length of the curve. In crest vertical curves, the length should be able to provide at least enough sight distance for stopping. More sight distance is needed at decision points and passing sections. In sag curves, the length of the curve is affected by headlight sight distance (sight distance at night), rider comfort and drainage requirements. G, and G = Tangent grades in percent A= Algebraic difference L= Length of vertical curve \VP1= Vertical point of intersection VPC = Vertical point of curvature \VPT = Vertical point of tangency Figure 10.1: Types of vertical curves 9110.2 Objective The objective of this unit is to demonstrate the procedure for computing a vertical curve, which includes: Selecting the proper length (L) of the curve, «Calculate the elevation of any point on the curve. 10.3 Theory and Concept The discussion in this unit is focused on symmetrical vertical curves. Unsymmetrical curves are infrequent in practice and not considered in this unit. It is important to remember that the length of a vertical curve is measured along the horizontal alignment (horizontal projection), and that the vertical line passing through the VPI (intersecting point of the two tangents) bisects the length of the symmetrical vertical curves. 10.3.1 Crest Vertical Curves ‘The minimum length of the crest vertical curve capable of providing a specific sight distance is given by the following equations which are excerpted from the 1994 edition of AASHTO’s ‘A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets’ (p. 282): When Sis less than L, AS? Tool + sam) (10.1) When S$ is greater than L, as 200i + a} (102)where L_ = length of vertical curve, m S = sight distance, m A = algebraic difference in grades, percent hy = height of eye above roadway surface, m (normally 1070 mm/1000 mm/m) hy = height of object above roadway surface, m (normally 150 mm/1000 mm/m). When the height of eye and the height of object are 1070 mm and 150 mm, respectively, as used for stopping distance, Equations (10.1) and (10.2) are reduced to the following: ‘When S is less than L, AS? L= 10.3 404 (10.3) When S is greater than L, L=28- a (10.4) The designer has to select the appropriate sight distance (S) to be provided on the vertical curve. The absolute minimum distance is the stopping sight distance. The sight distance along any vertical curve should always be equal or greater than the stopping distance. Table 10.1 summarizes the required stopping sight distance as a function of different design speeds. When passing is to be permitted on undivided one lane/direction vertical curves, the sight distance should be large enough to allow passing safely. The passing sight distance (S) as a function of design speed is given in Table 10.2. 93Table 40.1: Design controls for crest vertical curves. Source: AASHTO, 1994, p. 284. ‘Stopping Rate of Vertical Curvature, K > Assumed ‘Sight length (per of A) Design Speed for Coefficient Distance for Speed Condition of Friction Design ® Rounded for Ce) f im Computed Design 30 3030 020 9626 2172.17 33 * a0 038 peer 4ae-c88 53 30 4750 035, 57428 318.9.76 5.10 0 5$-60 033 723.865 13561772 ery 0 670 031 94-1108 21923039 2. 80 7080 030 N3g1304 3149.48.10 %0 7-90 030 132167 aagi-7a44 B71 100 85.100, 029 15202050 6101-10402 e105 ho 91110 028 17952464 79.75-150.28 80.151 20 96120 028 2029-2855 102.200 * Design criterion *L=KA Table 10.2: Design controts for crest vertical curves based on passing sight distance. Source: AASHTO, 1994, p. 287. Minimum Passing Rate of, Design Sight Distance Vertical Curvature, K, Speed for Design® Rounded for Design * (km/h) (m) (length (m) per % of A) 30 217 50 40 285 90 30 345 130 60 407 180 70 482 250 80 541 310 90 605 390 100 670 480 110 728 370 120 792 670 94The length of crest vertical curve based on passing sight distance can be calculated using the following equations: When S L, L=2S- O46 (10.6) A where Sis the passing sight distance and Z and A are as defined earlier. In addition to the sight distance given in Tables 10.1 and 10.2, the “K” which is defined as the length of vertical curve divided by the algebraic difference in grades is also reported as a function of design speeds. This K parameter is very convenient in design since the required length of the vertical curve (L) can be readily calculated without consulting the previous equations, as follows: L=K|\Al (10.7) 10.3.2 Sag Vertical Curves ‘The length of sag vertical curve depends mainly on headlight sight distance. The following formulas show the relation between the length of vertical curve and the headlight sight distance: When Sis less than L, AS? 200|0.6+5 (tan 1°), (10.8) 95When S is greater than L, 1 = 25 — 200]0.6+5 (tan I ) = as -(20*558) (109) A A where L = length of sag vertical curve, m S = light beam distance, m A = algebraic difference in grades, percent. Table 10.3 uses the above equations and reports the rate of vertical curvature (K) for different design speeds. The length of vertical curve can be calculated using K as explained previously in crest vertical curves. esign controls for sag vertical curves. Source: AASHTO, 1994, p. 292. ON Stopping Rate of Vertical Curvature, K Assumed Sight (length (mi per % of A) Design Speed for Coefficient Distance for ‘Speed Condition of Friction Design Rounded for c/n) (kwh) t (mn) Computed Design ta) oy OOO 30 30:30 040 29.6-296 3.88-3.88 20 40-40 444-044 TUT 50 47-50 574-628 10.2011.54 60 55-60 743-846 14-45-1712 0 6370 94.1-110.8 80 7080 128-1394 24.6231.86 90 77-90 1312-1687 29.62-39.95, too 85-100 1870-205.036.71-0.06 no 91-110 98-120 42.95-61.68 947-7272 9610.3.3 Procedure for Computing a Vertical Curve Figure 10.2 illustrates the following relations and definitions: Forward Stations Station 0+00 vie ——— Figure 10.2: Symmetric vertical curve i- Compute the algebraic difference in grades. A=G,-G, (inpercent) where G; is the first grade in the direction of chainage. ii, Based on design speed and type of curve, select the appropriate K. iii Calculate the required vertical length. L=K\A| iv- Compute the chainage (i.c. station) of VPC and VPT as follows: vec = VPI = 2.1 ver = VPI SL 97y- Compute the distance from VPC to high or low point as follows: -1G, A x= vi Compute the elevation of VPC and VPT by using G,, Gz and L. vii- Compute the curve elevation at every required station by using the following equation: yrartbxtc where y = curve elevation ge HG 200L G, p= 100 = elevation of VPC ° \ x = horizontal distance from VPC to station of interest. 10.4 Example Problem Given the following vertical curve data: G; = +2%; G2 =—1%; design speed = 120 kph; VPI @ 6+80.25 with an elevation of 215.331, compute the elevation of high point and every station between VPC & VPT. Assume passing is not allowed along the curve. Solution: G,=+2% G,=-1% 98. A=G)-G,=-1-2=-3 From Table 10.1, K= 202 (upper limit) -. Length of vertical curve: L = K'| | = 202(3)= 606 m ° L=606 Location of VPC = VPI — ze = 680.25 - 303 + vPC @3+7725 Location of VPT=VPI+ 5 = 680.25 + 303 © VPT @9+83.25 VPT- VPC =L (9 + 83.25) — (3 + 77.25) =606 check ¥ Location of high point x = — = 252) — 04m Elev. of VPC = Elev. VPI- (2% * 1) = 215.331 - (ZZ) 100 2 e Elev. of VPC = 209.271 m Bley. of VPT = Elev. PVI- (js . ss) 100" 2 = 215.331 - 3.03 e Elev. of VPT = 212.301 m 99~~ 200L — 200(606) 0.0000248 p22? Lom 100 100 c= Elev. @ VPC = 209.271 Elevation of the curve (y) at distance x as measured from PVC is, year +bx+e y =—0.0000248x" + 0.02x + 209.271 Tangent elevation from VPC up to VPI: Elev. of VPC + se 209.271 + 0.02x Tangent elevation from VPI up to VPT: Elev. of VPT + (606-222 = 212,301 + (606 - x) 0.01 =212.301 + 0.01(606 —x) The tangent and curve elevation can be easily and efficiently computed using the Excel software as shown in Table 10.4. Table 10.4 is graphically represented in Figure 10.3. 100Table 10.4: Solution of example 10.3 Elevation (m) Note Station | Distance Curve Tangent (x) Elevation (m) | Elevation (m) VPC 3477.25 0 209.271 209.271 4+ 0 22.75 209.713 209.726 St 0 122.75 211,353 211.726 6+ 0 222.75 212.498 213.726 ‘VPI 6+ 80.25 303 213.059 215.331 T+ 0 322.75 213.148 215.134 High Point | 7+ 81.25 404 213.311 214.321 8+ 0 422.75 213.302 214.134 O+ 0 522.75 212.962 213.134 vPT 9 + 83.25 606 212.301 212.301 216 + vel 215 po 8 a4 oF High point OF 213 242 YZ pveT 2tt 210 x vec, B i 3 200-48 e : 200 a B 0 100 200 00 400 500, 600 700 Distance (m) Figure 10.3; Vertical curves of example 10.1 10110.5 Lab Exercise Given the following vertical curve data: G, = -3%, G, = +1%, design speed = 120 kph, VPI @ 8+61.255 with an elevation equal to the first three digits of your ID number, compute the elevation of low point and at every 20 m between VPC and VPT. Assume passing is not allowed along the curve. Draw the tangent and the vertical curve (to scale) using any appropriate software.