CE 201 – FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

Topic: Railroad and Highway Curves

Sub-topic: Vertical Curves – Parabolic Curves

Vertical Parabolic Curve

Vertical curves are used to provide gradual change between two adjacent vertical
grade lines. The curve used to connect the two adjacent grades is parabola. Parabola offers
smooth transition because its second derivative is constant. For a downward parabola with
vertex at the origin, the standard equation is

𝑥
𝑥 4𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑦
4𝑎
𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦

First derivative is the slope of the curve and the second derivative is interpreted as rate of
change of slope.
 

 
 

 
 

 
  

 
 

Elements of Vertical Curve

• PC = point of curvature, also known as BVC (beginning of vertical curve)

• PT = point of tangency, also known as EVC (end of vertical curve)

• PI = point of intersection of the tangents, also called PVI (point of vertical intersection)

• L = length of parabolic curve, it is the projection of the curve onto a horizontal surface which
corresponds to the plan distance.

• S1 = horizontal distance from PC to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve

• S2 = horizontal distance from PT to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve

• h1 = vertical distance between PC and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve

• h2 = vertical distance between PT and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve

• g1 = grade (in percent) of back tangent (tangent through PC)

• g2 = grade (in percent) of forward tangent (tangent through PT)

• A = change in grade from PC to PT

• a = vertical distance between PC and PI

• b = vertical distance between PT and PI

 
  
 

Properties of Parabolic Curve and its Grade Diagram

1. The length of parabolic curve L is the horizontal distance between PI and PT.

2. PI is midway between PC and PT.

3. The curve is midway between PI and the midpoint of the chord from PC to PT.

4. The vertical distance between any two points on the curve is equal to area under the grade
diagram. The vertical distance c = Area.

5. The grade of the curve at a specific point is equal to the offset distance in the grade
diagram under that point. The grade at point Q is equal to gQ.
Formulas for Symmetrical Parabolic Curve

The figure shown above illustrates the following geometric properties of parabolic
curve. Note that the principles and formulas can be applied to both summit and sag curves.

rise = run × slope

𝑎 𝑔𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 𝑔 𝐿

Neglecting the sign of 𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔 : 𝑆 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆

Vertical Distance : ℎ 𝑔𝑆 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ 𝑔 𝑆

Other Formulas: 𝐻 𝐿 𝑔 𝑔 ;

Properties of Parabolic Curve and its Grade Diagram

1. The length of parabolic curve L is the horizontal distance between PI and PT.
2. PI is midway between PC and PT.
3. The curve is midway between PI and the midpoint of the chord from PC to PT.
4. The vertical distance between any two points on the curve is equal to area under the
grade diagram. The vertical distance c = Area.
5. The grade of the curve at a specific point is equal to the offset distance in the grade
diagram under that point. The grade at point Q is equal to gQ.
 

 
Sample Problem 1:
A grade of -4.2% grade intersects a grade of +3.0% at Station 11 + 488.00 of elevations
20.80 meters. These two center gradelines are to be connected by a 260 meter vertical
parabolic curve.
1a. At what station is the cross-drainage pipes be situated?
1b. If the overall outside dimensions of the reinforced concrete pipe to be installed is
95 cm, and the top of the culvert is 30 cm below the subgrade, what will be the
invert elevation at the center?
Solution:

1a. From the grade diagram:

; 𝑆 151.67 𝑚
. . .

𝑑 𝑆 130 151.67 130 21.67 𝑚

Sta A Sta PI d 11488 21.67 11509.67 m
Sta A 11 509.67 km Answer

1b. Vertical distance between PC and PI

𝑎 𝑔𝐿 𝑎 0.042 260 5.46 𝑚

Vertical distance between PC and the lowest point A:

ℎ 𝑔𝑆 𝐴 ℎ 0.042 151.67 3.18 𝑚

Elevation of the lowest point A:

Elev A Elev PI a A1
Elev A 20.80 5.46 3.18
Elev A 23.08 m
Elev of invert Elev A 0.30 0.95

Elev of invert 23.08 0.30 0.95

Elev of invert 21.83 m Answer

Sample Problem 2:

A grade line AB having a slope of +5% intersect another grade line BC having a
slope of –3% at B. The elevations of points A, B and C are 95 m, 100 m and 97 m
respectively. Determine the elevation of the summit of the 100 m parabolic vertical
curve to connect the grade lines.
Solution:
[rise = run × slope]

B(Elev. 100 m)
● 

rise =100 - 95 = 5 m 

A(Elev. 95 m)
● 
run = rise/slope = rise/g
= 5/0.05
= 100 m  
Horizontal distance between A and B 100 - 95 /0.05 100 m
Horizontal distance between B and C 100 - 97 /0.03 100 m

Place the parabolic curve at the middle-half:

Elev PC Elev A 50 0.05 95 2.5 97.5 m
Distance from PC to the summit:
S1/0.05=100/0.08 S1 = 62.5 m
Elevation of the summit:
Elevation of the summit Elev PC 1/2 S1 0.05
Elevation of the summit 97.5 1/2 62.5 0.05
Elevation of the summit 99.0625 m Answer