Al Al-bayt University

Faculty of Engineering
Surveying Engineering Department

Course of Route Surveying Lab

Prepared by:

Dr.A’kif Al-Fugara
Eng.Alia Al-Mashaqbeh

First Semester 2022/2023

 Lecture 2

SETTING OUT SIMPLE CURVES

Harahsheh 2
 SETTING OUT SIMPLE CURVES METHODS

• The methods of setting out curves can be mainly divided into

two heads depending upon instruments used :

(1) Linear methods:

In the linear methods, only a chain or tape is used. Linear
methods are used when:
(a) a high degree of accuracy is not required,
(b) the curve is short.

(2) Angular /Instrumental methods:

In angular method, an instrument such as a theodolite is used
with or without a chain (or tape).

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 Simple curve setting out: Linear methods

oFollowing are some of the linear methods for setting out

simple circular curves:

(1) By offsets from the tangents.

(2)By ordinates or offsets from the long chord.
(3) By successive bisection of arcs.
(4) By offsets from chords produced (or by deflection
distances).

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Simple curve setting out: Angular /Instrumental
methods
The following are instrumental methods commonly use setting
out a circular curve :

1 ) Rankine's method of tangential (or deflection) angle

2 ) Two theodolite method.
3 ) Tacheometric method.

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 1. Layout of Simple Horizontal Curves:
Offsets from the Tangents Method
o If the deflection angle and the radius of curvature are both
small, the curves can be setout from tangent ,The offsets from
the tangents can be of two types:
o (i) Radial offsets
o (ii) Perpendicular offsets.

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(1)Radial Offsets/ (Exact expression )

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(1)Radial Offsets (Approximate expression)

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EXAMPLE

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(2) Perpendicular Offsets

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(2) Perpendicular Offsets
The maximum value of (x)

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 (2) Perpendicular Offsets
• Notes:

1. This method is suitable for curves of small radius such as curb

lines at road intersections and boundary walls.
2. PC and PT points must be known so as to start offsetting from
them.
3. The curve is set out in two parts, starting from each tangent
(PC-PI and PI-PT).

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Example 1:

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 Example 2:

If ∆ = 30°, R = 250 m, ∆ x = 10m, calculate the necessary elements for setting out this
curve ( first part PC-PI )using the perpendicular offsets from the tangent.

Solution:
Exact: ox = R - (R2 – x2)½
Approximate: ox = x2 / 2R

T = R tan ∆ /2 = 66.987
E = R (1/cos ∆ /2 – 1) = 8.819 m
Xmax = T – E cos ∆ /2 = 64.704 m
OR Xmax =R sin(∆/2) =64.704 m
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 2. Layout of Simple Horizontal Curves:
Offsets/ordinates from the long chord
• This method can be used for longer curves of larger radius,
when a higher accuracy is not required.
• Advantage: The land between tangents and curve need not
be accessible.
• It is sometimes more convenient to set out the curve from
the 'inside'. Many of the points on the tangent may not be
accessible whereas points on the chord joining the two
tangents points may be easily accessible.

• In this case it is convenient to establish the mid-point of the

long chord and refer the distances along the chord to this
point rather than the tangent point.
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2. Layout of Simple Horizontal Curves:
Offsets/ordinates from the long chord

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2. Layout of Simple Horizontal Curves:
Offsets/ordinates from the long chord

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EXAMPLE 1

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EXAMPLE 2

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