By studying figure 11-4, you can see that the ratio design speed and allowable superelevation.

Then the between the degree of curvature (D) and 360 is the radius is calculated. same as the ratio between 100 feet of arc and the circumference (C) of a circle having the same radius. Degree of Curve (Chord Definition) That may be expressed as follows: The chord definition (fig. 11-5) is used in railway practice and in some highway work. This definition states that the degree of curve is the central angle formed by two radii drawn from the center of the circle to the ends of a chord 100 feet (or 100 meters) long. If you take a flat curve, mark a 100-foot chord, and determine the central angle to be 030, then you have a 30-minute curve (chord definition). From observation of figure 11-5, you can see the following trigonometric relationship: and also D: Then, solving for R: For a 1 curve, D = 1; therefore R = 5,729.58 feet, or meters, depending upon the system of units you are using. For a 10 curve (chord definition), D = 1; therefore R = In practice the design engineer usually selects the 5,729.65 feet, or meters, depending upon the system of degree of curvature on the basis of such factors as the units you are using.

Since the circumference of a circle equals the above expression can be written as:

Solving this expression for R:

Figure 11-5.Degree of curve (chord definition).

11-5