World University of Bangladesh

Department of Civil Engineering

Transport & Traffic Design
Course Code: CE 902

Course Teacher:
MD. TANBIR KHAN
Lecturer,
Dept. of Civil Engg, WUB
 Sup-elevation
The outer edge of road pavement is raised w.r.t the inner edge
thus tilting the road surface from outer edges towards the
inner edge. This lateral inclination to the road surface is
known as super-elevation. It is generally denoted by “e”.
Super-elevation is provided due to-
 Counteract the effect of centrifugal force.

 Reduce the tendency of the vehicle to topple or skid.

 For the flowing rain water from the carriage way.

 Calculation of Sup-elevation
W = Weight of the vehicle
P = Centrifugal force
R = Radius of horizontal curve
θ = Angle of inclination
μ = Coefficient of friction
𝑅𝑖 & 𝑅𝑒 = Normal reaction at wheels
𝐹𝑖 & 𝐹𝑒 = Frictional force at wheels

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚, Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
P Cos θ = W Sin θ + 𝐹𝑖 + 𝐹𝑒
= W Sin θ + 𝜇 𝐹𝑖 + 𝐹𝑒 −−−−−− −(𝑖)
 Calculation of Sup-elevation
𝑁𝑜𝑤, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑅𝑖 + 𝑅𝑒 = W Cos θ + P Sin θ −−−−−− −(𝑖𝑖)
From equation (i) & (ii)-
P Cos θ = 𝑊𝑆𝑖𝑛θ + 𝜇 W Cos θ + P Sin θ
⇒ 𝑃 Cos θ + 𝜇 Sin θ = 𝑊 Sin θ + 𝜇 Cos θ
𝑃
⇒ 1 − 𝜇 tan θ = tan θ + 𝜇
𝑊
𝑃 tan θ:𝜇
⇒ =
𝑊 1;𝜇 tan θ
Note: μ is taken as 0.15 & value of tanϴ seldom exceed (1/15). So, μ tanϴ = 0.01. Thus
the value of 1- μ tanϴ can be taken as 1.
 Calculation of Sup-elevation
P But, P =
𝑚𝑣 2
=
𝑤 𝑣2
∴ = tan θ + μ R g R
W 2
P P 𝑣
⇒ = e + μ −−−− −(iii) ⇒ = −−−−− −(𝑖𝑣)
W W gR
Equating equation (iii) & (iv)-
𝑣2
e+μ=
gR
0.278𝑉 2
⇒e= (Neglecting 𝛍)
9.81×R

𝑽𝟐
∴𝐞=
𝟏𝟐𝟕𝑹
 Design of Sup-elevation
Problem: The design speed of a highway is 80 km/hr. There is a
horizontal curve of radius 200 m. Calculate the super elevation to
maintain this speed. If the maximum super elevation of 1 in 15 is not
to be exceed, calculate the maximum allowable speed on this
horizontal curve.

Solution: Considering 75% of design speed for the curve.

0.75𝑉 2 0.75×80 2
∴e= =
127R 127×200
= 0.142 or 1 in 7.06
But, maximum allowable value of e is 0.067 or 1 in 15.
 Design of Sup-elevation
Again friction factor,
𝑉2
e+μ=
127R
802
⇒μ= − 0.067 = 0.185 > 0.15 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐤 .
127×200

Let, 𝑉𝑚 be the maximum allowable speed.

Vm 2
e+μ=
127R
Vm 2
⇒ 0.067 + 0.15 =
127×200
⇒ Vm = 𝟕𝟒. 𝟐𝟓 𝐤𝐦 𝐡𝐫.
 Extra Widening
When a vehicle takes a turn to negotiate a horizontal curve, the rear
wheels do not follow the same path as that of the front wheels. To
compensate this, the carriageway width increased on the entire
curved portion of the road, which is called extra widening of pavement
on curve.
 Reason of Providing Extra Width
Drivers have a tendency to keep away from the edge of the carriage
way, while driving on curves.
The clearance between the vehicles, crossing or passing each other
over horizontal curves is kept more than that on a straight due to
psychological effect.
Rear wheel do not trace the same path as the front wheel.
When design speed can not be balanced by 𝐞 & 𝛍.
At start of the curve, drivers have the tendency to follow the outer
edge.
Trailer unit requires even large width.
 Calculation of Extra Widening
Psychological widening, Mechanical widening,
V 𝑛𝑙 2
ws = wm =
9.5 R 2R
Where, Where,
V = Design speed in km hr. n = No. of lanes.
R = Radius of horizontal curve 𝑙 = Length of the longest vehicle.

Total extra widening,

we = ws + wm
𝑽 𝒏𝒍𝟐
= +
𝟗.𝟓 𝑹 𝟐𝑹
 Calculation of Extra Widening
Problem: Find the total width of the pavement on a horizontal curve
for a new state with a ruling maximum radius. Design speed is 80
km/hr., width of road 7 m and wheel base is 6.1 m.

Solution:
𝑉:16 2 80:16 2
Radius, R ruling = = = 335.13 m
27.5 27.5
∴ Required extra width, we = ws + wm
𝑽 𝒏𝒍𝟐
= +
𝟗.𝟓 𝑹 𝟐𝑹
80 2×6.12
= + = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟏 𝐦
9.5× 335.13 2×335.13
Total pavement width = 7 + 0.571 = 7.571 m
 Off-tracking
Off-tracking is a term used to describe what happens with large
trucks, or any vehicle with more than one set of wheels when the
rear don’t follow the same path as the front wheels while moving
through a turn or a curve. Instead, the rear wheels will follow the
shorter of two paths, instead of tracking behind the path of front
wheels.
The distance between the rear wheels and the kingpin.
The sideways drag of the back tires.
The radius of the curve for which the track is attempting the
turn.
 Gradient of Pavement
The rate of rise or fall of road surface along its length w.r.t
horizontal distance is called gradient.

 Ruling gradient.
 Limiting gradient.
 Exceptional gradient.
 Average gradient.
 Minimum gradient.
 Floating gradient.
 Vertical Curve
In road alignment, when two different gradient meet, the form a
curve in vertical plane known as vertical curve.

Summit curve: The vertical curve having convexity upwards is

called a summit curve. This curves develops when an ascending
road intersects a descending road or vise-versa.

Valley curve: A vertical curve having concavity upwards or

convexity downward is called valley curve.
 Transition Curve
A transition curve is a type of curve which is introduced between
straight and a circular curve or between two branches of a
compound curve. It is in fact a curve with varying radius and is
sometimes called the spiral curve.

It creates smooth running and impart comfort to the passengers.

 It helps in attaining the desired super-elevation gradually.
 The change of derailment are greatly decreased.
Thank You
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