11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16.

Introduction to setting of curves

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Surveying and Leveling 3(1+2)
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Introduction to setting of curves

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Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves
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Curves are regular bends provided in the lines of communication like roads,
Current course
railways and canals etc. to bring about gradual change of direction.
S&L
Participants They enable the vehicle to pass from one path on to another when the two paths
General meet at an angle. They are also used in the vertical plane at all changes of grade to
MODULE 1. avoid the abrupt change of grade at the apex.
MODULE 2.
MODULE 3.
MODULE 4.
HORIZONTAL CURVES
Lesson 5. Errors
In Chain Curves provided in the horizontal plane to have the gradual change in direction are
Surveying
known as horizontal curves.
Lesson 6.
Corrections In
VERTICAL CURVES
Chain Surveying
MODULE 5. Curves provided in the vertical plane to obtain the gradual change in grade are called
Lesson 7. Plane as vertical curves.
table surveying
Lesson 8. Curves may be circular or parabolic. Curves are generally arcs of parabolas.
Radiation,
Intersection and Curves are laid out on the ground along the centre line of the work.
traversing
MODULE 6. NEED FOR PROVIDING CURVES
Lesson 9.
Levelling- Curves are needed on Highways, railways and canals for bringing about gradual
description of change of direction of motion. They are provided for following reasons:-
level instruments
Lesson 10. i) To bring about gradual change in direction of motion.
Simple levelling
and fly levelling ii) To bring about gradual change in grade and for good visibility.
methods
MODULE 7. iii) To alert the driver so that he may not fall asleep.
Lesson 11.
Contours- iv) To layout Canal alignment.
Introduction
Lesson 12. v) To control erosion of canal banks by the thrust of flowing water in a canal.
Methods of grid
levelling CLASSIFICATION OF CURVES
Lesson 13.
Contours- Map Most types of transportation routes, such as highways, railroads, and pipelines, are
preparation connected by curves in both horizontal and vertical planes.
MODULE 8.
LESSON 14.
Horizontal Curves: Curves used in horizontal planes to connect two straight tangent
Computation of sections.
area and volume
MODULE 9. Two types of horizontal cures:
LESSON 15.
Theodolite –
Circular arcs, and
description of the
instrume... Spirals
Topic 10
Simple Curve: A circular arc connecting two tangents.
Lesson 16.
Introduction to Compound Curve: Two or more circular arcs of different radii tangent to each other.
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11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves
setting of Broken-back Curve: Combination of a short length of tangent connecting two
curves
circular arcs that have centers on the same side.
Courses
Reverse Curve: Two circular arcs tangent to each other, with their centers on opposite
side of the alignment.
Circular curves are further classified as :
1. Simple Curves.
2. Compound Curves.
3. Serpentine Curves.
4. Deviation Curves.
1. Simple Curve:
A simple curve Consists of a single arc of circle connecting two straights. It
has radius of the same magnitude throughout.
2. Compound Curves.
A compound Curve consists of two or more simple curves having different
radii bending in the same direction and lying on the same side of the common
tangent. Their centres lie on the same side of the curve.
3. Reverse or serpentine curve
A reverse or serpentine curve is made up of two arcs having equal or
different radii bending in opposite direction with a common tangent at their
junction . Their centres lie on opposite sides of the curve. Reverse curves are
used when the straights are parallel or intersect at a very small angle.
4. Deviation curve
A deviation curve is simply a combination of two reverse curves. it is used
when it becomes necessary to deviate from a given straight path in order to
avoid intervening obstructions such as bend of river, a building , etc.
They should be avoided as far as possible on main lines and highways where
speeds are necessarily high.
Degree of Circular Curve
The rate of curvature of circular curves can be designated either by their
radius (100-m curve), or by their degree of curve.
The degree of curve:
Arc definition: The central angle subtended by a circular arc of 30m (100-ft).
Chord definition: The angle at the center of a circular arc subtended by a
chord of 30m (100 ft).

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11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves

Definitions and Derivation of Circular Curve Formulas (Ref Fig.)

PI: Point of intersection
PC: Point of curvature (the beginning of the curve)
PT: Point of tangency (the end of the curve)
TC: Tangent to curve
CT: Curve to tangent
R: Curve radius
T: Tangent distance (PC-PI or PI-PT)
LC: Long chord (PC-PT)
L: Length of the curve (along the curve)
E: Length from the PI to the curve midpoint on a radial line.
M: Middle ordinate. The radial distance from the midpoint of the long chord to the
curves midpoint.
POC: Any point on curve.
POT: Any point on tangent.
Da: Degree of any curve (arc definition)
Dc: Degree of any curve (chord definition)
I: Intersection angle (central angle)

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11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves

FIG. CIRCULAR CURVE ELEMENTS

Stationing
Stationing: In route surveying, stationing is used to specify the relative horizontal
positioning of any point along the reference line. The starting point is usually
designated with some arbitrary value.
English Unit System:
Starting point: Usually 10 + 00 ft or 100 + 00 ft is selected.
Metric Unit System:
Starting point: Usually 1 + 000 km or 10 + 00 km is selected. In rural areas, the
spacing is usually taken as 10, 20, 30, and 40m.
Circular Curve Stationing
The beginning point of any project is assign a station value, and all other points along
the reference line are then related to it.
After the tangents have been staked and stationed, the I angle is observed at each PI,
and curves computed and staked.

General Procedure of Circular Curve Layout by Deflection Angles

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11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves

Layout of a curve by deflection angles can be done by

The incremental chord method, and
The total chord method

FIG Circular Curve Layout by Deflection Angles

Layout of a curve by the incremental chord method:
Assume that the instrument is set up over the PC and each full station is to be
marked along the curve.
The first station to be set in this example is 63 + 00.
To mark that point form the PC, a backsight is taken on the PI with zero set on the
instrument’s horizontal circle.
Deflection angle δa to station 63 + 00 is then turned and two tape persons
measure chord ca from the PC and set 63 + 00 at the end of the chord on the
instrument’s line of sight.
With station 63 + 00 set, the tape persons next measure the chord length c from it
and stake station 64 + 00, where the line of sight of the instrument , now set to
δ64, intersects the end of that chord.
This process is repeated until the entire curve is laid out.
Layout of a curve by the total chord method:
The total station instrument is set up over the PC and each full station is to be
marked along the curve.
The first station to be set in this example is 63 + 00.
To mark that point form the PC, a backsight is taken on the PI with zero set on the
total station’s horizontal circle.
Deflection angle δa to station 63 + 00 is then turned and the reflector placed on
line and adjusted until its distance from the instrument is ca from the PC and the
stake set at 63 + 00.
To set station 64 + 00, the deflection angle δ64 is turned, reflector placed on this
line of sight, and adjusted in position until the total chord from the PC to station
64 + 00 is obtained, and the stake set.

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11/13/2019 S&L: Lesson 16. Introduction to setting of curves

This process is repeated until the entire curve is laid out.

Computing Deflection Angles and Chords

For deflection angle method, deflection angles and chords are important values
that must be calculated.
To stake the first station,which is normally an odd
distance from the PC (shorter than a full-station increment), subdeflection angle δa and
subchord ca are needed.
Central angle da subtended by arc sa from the PC to 63 + 00 is calculated by
proportion
da/sa = I/L from which da= sa I / L
Theorem: The angle at a point between a tangent and any chord is equal to half the central
angle subtended by the chord.
Thus subdeflection angle δa needed to stake station 63 + 00 is da/2, or da= sa I / 2L.

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