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Part 4 - Vertical Curves
Part 4 - Vertical Curves
Vertical curves
The vertical curves are curves used to provide a smooth
change in direction taking place in the vertical plane due
to change of grade introduced at the intersection of two
gradients either as summit curves or sag curves.
The requirement of a vertical curve is that it should
provide a constant rate of change of grade, in which a
parabola fulfills this requirement.
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Vertical CURVES
Types of vertical curves
Introduction.
1. Summits
2. Sags
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(I) Referring figure above, the value of the central offset Y is computed as,
Grade angle A=(-0.75-0.25)= -1%
L/2= 100/2 = 50m, thus the grades IT2, and IJ are diverging at the rate of
1% (1m per 100m) in 50m, hence T2J=(A/100) x (L/2)=4Y=0.5m, Y=
0.125m.
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In order to set out a vertical curve in the field, one requires levels along When r is linked to design speed it is termed as the rate of vertical
the curve at given chainage intervals. acceleration and should never exceed 0.3 m/s2.
Before the levels can be computed, one must know the length L of the Commonly-used design values for r are:
curve using the following parameters: 3%/100 m on crest curves and 1.5%/100 m on sag curves.
(i) K-value. L=KA where: L=Length of a vc It is important to use much larger curves to prevent rapid
A = the difference between the two gradients (grade angle). change of grade and provide adequate sight distances.
K = is called rate of curvature =(100/r) which is related to design
speed (V).
The K-value is defined using rate of change of gradients (r) which is the
rate at which the curve passes from one gradient ( g1%) to the next (
g2%) and is similar in concept to rate of change of radial acceleration in
horizontal transitions.
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(iii) When S = L
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Vertical CURVES
Definitions of important terms
BVC: Beginning of Vertical Curve aka
PVC
V: Vertex aka PVI NEXT IS ON EARTH WORKS
EVC: End of Vertical Curve aka PVT
g1 % : percent grade of back tangent
g2 % : percent grade of forward tangent
L: curve length (horizontal distance) in
feet or stations.
x: horizontal distance from any point on
the curve to the BVC.
r: rate of change of grade.
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