R.T.U KOTA / G.I.T JAIPUR SUBJECT – Surveying (3CE4-05) CIVIL ENGG.

/ III SEM

UNIT – 3
Curve Surveying

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R.T.U KOTA / G.I.T JAIPUR SUBJECT – Surveying (3CE4-05) CIVIL ENGG./ III SEM

Blown up Detail
1.1 Definition of Curve
1.2 Types of Curve
1.3 Notation of Simple Curve
1.4 Designation of Curves
1.5 Elements of Curve Surveying
1.6 Methods of Setting out of curve
1.7 Vertical Curve
1.8 Transition Curve
1.9 Reverse Curve

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1.1 Definition of Curve

• Definition of Curves
• Curves are regular bends provided in the lines of communication like roads, railways
etc. and also in canals to bring about the gradual change of direction.

• They are also used in the vertical plane at all changes of grade to avoid the abrupt
change of grade at the apex.

• Curves provided in the horizontal plane to have the gradual change in direction are
known as Horizontal curves, whereas those provided in the vertical plane to obtain the
gradual change in grade are known as vertical curves.

• Curves are laid out on the ground along the centre line of the work. They may be
circular or parabolic.

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1.2 Types of Curve

• Classification of Curves:
(i) Simple,
(ii) Compound
(iii) Reverse
(i) Simple Curve:
• A simple curve consists of a single arc of a circle connecting two straights. It has radius
of the same magnitude throughout.

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(ii) Compound Curve

• 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.

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1.2 Types of Curve

(iii) Reverse (or Serpentine) Curve:
• A reverse or serpentine curve is made up of two arcs having equal or different radii
bending in opposite directions with a common tangent at their junction. Their centres
lie of opposite sides of the curve.

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1.3 Notation of Simple Curve

1) Back tangent or First Tangent ‐ AT₁ – Pervious to the curve
2) Forward Tangent or Second tangent‐ B T₂ ‐ Following the curve.
3) Point of Intersection ( P.I.) or Vertex. (v) If the tangents AT₁ and BT₂ .are produced they
will meet in a point called the point of intersection
4) Point of curve(P.C.) –Beginning Point T₁ of a curve. Alignment changes from a tangent
to curve.

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1.3 Definition & Notation of Simple Curve

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1.4 Designation of Curves

• A curve may be designated either by the radius or by the angle subtended at the centre
by a chord of particular length In India, a curve is designated by the angle (in degrees)
subtended at the centre by a chord of 30 metres (100 ft.) length. This angle is called the
degree of the curve (D).
• 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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1.5 Elements of Curve Surveying

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1.6 Methods of Setting out of Curve

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1.7 Vertical Curve

• The vertical alignment of a road consists of gradients(straight lines in a vertical
plane) and vertical curves.

• The vertical alignment is usually drawn as a profile, which is a graph with elevation
as vertical axis and the horizontal distance along the centre line of the road as the
the horizontal axis. Just as a circular curve is used to connect horizontal straight
stretches of road, vertical curves connect two gradients.

• When these two curves meet, they form either convex or concave. The former is
called a summit curve, while the latter is called a valley curve. This section covers a
discussion on gradient and summit curves.

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1.7 Vertical Curve

• Gradient
• Gradient is the rate of rise or fall along the length of the road with respect to the
horizontal.

• While aligning a highway, the gradient is decided for designing the vertical curve.
Before finalizing the gradients, the construction cost, vehicular operation cost and
the practical problems in the site also has to be considered.

• Usually steep gradients are avoided as far as possible because of the difficulty to
climb and increase in the construction cost.

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1.7 Vertical Curve

Effect of gradient
The effect of long steep gradient on the vehicular speed is considerable.

This is particularly important in roads where the proportion of heavy vehicles is

significant.

Due to restrictive sight distance at uphill gradients the speed of traffic is often
controlled by these heavy vehicles.

As a result, not only the operating costs of the vehicles are increased, but also capacity
of the roads will have to be reduced.

Further, due to high differential speed between heavy and light vehicles, and between
uphill and downhill gradients, accidents abound in gradients.

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1.8 Transition Curve

To connect a straight line with a circular curve, a horizontal curve with varying radius
is used and this curve is known as a transition curve.
The radius of transition curves ranges from infinity to specified fixed value. To avoid
the slippage problem in circular curve, transition curve is used at the ends of the curve.
Transition curves are used in highways, rail track, etc.
There is a risk of overturning of a truck or trains without this horizontal curve, so to
avoid slippage and minimize the risk of accident, transition curves are used.

Requirements for a transition curves are as given below.

• The radius of the curve at the origin must be infinite,
• At the point where a horizontal curve meets the circular curve, radius of transition
curve must be equal to the circular curve and
• Difference between rate of increase of super elevation and rate of increase of
curvature must be zero.

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1.8 Transition Curve

Types of transition curves are as given:-
• Cubic spiral,
• Cubic parabola and
• Lemniscate curve.

For railways, where turning is very critical, the cubic parabola and the spiral curve
are used. Minimum rate of change of curvature is required for both heavy and light
vehicles on the highway, and this necessitates the use of Lemniscate curves are
used in highways, for which the radius relates to the sine function.

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1.9 Reverse Curve

In civil engineering, a reverse curve (or "S" curve) is a section of the horizontal
alignment of a highway or railroad route in which a curve to the left or right is followed
immediately by a curve in the opposite direction.

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