DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

HIGHWAY ENGINEERING AND PAVEMENT DESIGN

PRACTICAL 1

SETTING OUT A SIMPLE CURVE

GROUP 1

TUELO T BAGWISANYI

19000529

LEVEL 400

LECTURE: S D MAYUNGA
INTRODUCTION

Horizontal curve is a transition element in geometric design for highways. It

provides a transition between two tangent strips of roadway, allowing a
vehicle to negotiate a turn at a gradual rate rather than a sharp bend. The
design of the curve is dependent on the intended design speed for the
roadway, as well as other factors including drainage and friction. The radius of
the curve determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve. In setting out a
horizontal curve can be done by setting out of a curve by deflecting angle or
by two theodolite method. Using the angle deflection method, the curve is set
out by the use of deflection angles turned at the point of curvature from the
tangent line to the points along the curve. This method uses station
measurements which are not applicable when using the two-theodolite
method. When using the two-theodolite method, the curve is set out through
angular measurements only. In this method, two theodolites are used, one at
the point of curvature and one at the point of tangency to simultaneously
measure deflection angles from both points.
Types of Horizontal Curves
A curve may be simple, compound, reverse, or spiral.
Compound and reverse curves are treated as a combination of 2 or more
simple curves, whereas the spiral curve is based on a varying radius.
i) Simple Curve
The simple curve is an arc of a circle. It is the most commonly used. The
radius of the circle determines the “sharpness” of “flatness” of the curve.
The larger the radius, the “flatter” the Curve. This is the type of curve used
for this experiment.
ii) Compound Curve
Surveyors often have to use a compound curve because of the terrain. This
curve normally consists of 2 simple curves curving in the same direction and
joined together.
iii) Reverse Curve
A reverse curve consists of 2 simple curves joined together but curving in
opposite directions. For safety reasons, the surveyor should not use this curve
unless absolutely necessary.
iv) Spiral/Transition Curve
The spiral is a curve with varying radius used on railroads and some modern
highways. It provides a transition from the tangent to a simple curve or
between simple curves in a compound curve

Purpose of setting out a simple curve

 Increase comfort to passenger on the curve
 Reduce overturning
 Allow higher speed
 Less wear on gear and tyre
Figure 1 showing horizontal curve

Elements of a simple curve

1. Back tangent: the tangent T1 previous to the curve is called as the back tangent. It is also
known as the forward tangent or rear tangent.
2. Forward tangent: the tangent T2 following the curve is called as the forward tangent. It also
known as the second tangent.
3. Point of intersection (PI): Where back and forward tangents meet.
4. Intersection angle (I): deflection angle at PI or central angle = the angle formed by two radii
5. Radius (R): radius of a circle
6. Point of tangent (PT): the point where circular curve ends.
7. Point of curvature (PC): the point where the circular curve begins
8. Length of curve (L): the distance along the curve from PC to PT
9. Tangent distance (T): the distance along the line PC to PI to PT
10. Long chord (LC): the chord from PC to PT
11. External Distance (E): the distance from PI to mid-point of curve
12. Middle Ordinate (M): the distance from mid-point of curve to mid-point of long chord.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the elements of a simple curve including measuring of angles and sub chord distances
either from point of curvature PC or from point of tangent PT to other points along the curve.

APPARATUS

Total station/ theodolite

50m tape

2 ranging poles

8 pegs

PROCEDURE

 Having computed the curve elements T, L, L C and ∂’s the total station was set up at point PI
and levelled properly.
  From PI point, PC and PT were established by laying out the tangent distance T.
 The total station was then moved from point PI to point PC and levelled properly.
 At point PC, the total station was oriented to point PI and the plates were set to a reading of
(00°00’00’’).
 The total station was then rotated with the first deflection angle to establish point P 1 and
from there the first sub-chord distance of 5m was measured from point PC to P 1.
 At point PC, the total station was oriented to PI and the reading was set again to zero
(00°00’00’’).
 The total station was then rotated with the second deflection angle to establish point P 2 and
from there the second sub-chord distance of 5m was measured from P 1 to P2.
 The process of measuring the deflection angles was repeated until point PT was reached.
 After the last deflection angle was set, the last sub-chord distance was measured and
recorded from point P6 to point P7 which was also PT.

COMPUTATION OF ELEMENTS OF A CURVE

Group 1 data:

R=55m

Intersection angle = 40°

Sub-chord distance of 5m

CALCULATIONS

Tangent distance (T):

∆
T=Rtan
2
40
= 55tan = 20 m
2
Length of a curve(L):

π
L= R∆
180
π
L = 55*40* =38.4m
180
Length of long chord (Lc)

∆
Lc =2Rsin
2
40
Lc =2*55sin =37.6m
2
Deflection angle:
 1718.9∗c
∂=
60∗R
1718.9∗5
∂= = 2°36’16”
60∗55

Table 1 Showing deflection angles from P1 to P2

Sub-Chord Distance ∆ Total deflection angle Remarks

5 2°36’16” 2°36’16” P1
5 2°36’16” 5°12’32’’ P2
5 2°36’16” 7°48’48’’ P3
5 2°36’16” 10°25’4’’ P4
5 2°36’16” 13°1’20’’ P5
5 2°36’16” 15°37’36’’ P6
5 2°36’16” 18°13’52’’ P7

Measured sub chord distance (Pn-1 to Pn) =8.3m