Transition Curve

Definition
• A transition curve differs from a circular curve in that its radius is
always changing.
• As one would expect, such curves involve more complex
formulae than the curves with a constant radius and their
design is more complex.
• The transition curve (spiral) is a curve that has a varying
radius. It is used on railroads and most modern highways. It
has the following purposes:

I. Provide a gradual transition from the tangent (r=∞ )to a

simple circular curve with radius R
II. Allows for gradual application of superelevation.
 Radial Force and Design Speed
• When a vehicle moves on a curve, two forces
acts on it:
i. Weight of the vehicle (W)
ii. Centrifugal force (p)
• A vehicle of mass m, travelling at a constant
speed v, along a curve of radius r, is subjected to
a centrifugal force P such that:
wv2
p =
gr
• Roads are designed according to a ‘design speed’ which is constant Thus a
vehicle must be able to comfortable and safely travel the length of a given
stretch of road at the design speed regardless of bends etc.
• The mass of a vehicle is also assumed constant and consequently:
• Thus, The centrifugal force (p) is inversely proportional to the radius of
the curve.
1
pµ
r
• To introduce P uniformly along the length of the transition curve, P must
also be proportional to the length of the transition curve l. Thus,

• Combining above two conditions provides:

rl=K or RL=rl
• This is the fundamental requirement of a transition curve (radius of
curvature is inversely proportion to length). This is ideal TC called as
CLOTHOID
1. The clothoid (also known as Cornu spiral or Euler spiral) is a curve that is
characterized by its curvature being proportional to its length.

1
length ( l ) µ
r
2. Above property makes it very useful as a transition curve in roads and
railway tracks
 The need for Transition Curves
• Circular curves are limited in road designs due to the
forces which act on a vehicle
• as they travel around a bend. Transition curves are
used to introduce those forces
• gradually and uniformly thus ensuring the safety of
passenger.
• Transition curves have much more complex formulae
and are more difficult to set
• out on site than circular curves as a result of the
varying radius.
 Super elevation
• The difference in height between the two sides of
the road is known as the superelevation (SE).
 Super elevation:

m × v2
R

SE

b=width

m ×v2 Normal Force W=mg SE=Super Elevation

R usually slopes between 2.5 – 7 %
tan( a ) =
mg
m ×v2 1 b ×v2
SE = b . × =
R mg g ×R
SE
SE % = ( ) ´ 100
b
 Length of transition curve
The length of the transition curve should be determined based on the
criteria that the required super elevation is provided at a suitable rate.
Total length of TC should achieve the required SE.
as the maximum of the following three criteria:

ØBy arbitrary gradient

Ø Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration,
ØTime rate of change of super elevation

In first method SE (e) is provided at an arbitrary rate, say 1 in n,

Length of TC (L) is provided by

L=ne (n: 300-1200)
 Types of Transition Curve
• There are two types of curved used to form the
transitional section of a composite
• or wholly transitional curve. These are:

1. The clothoid
2. The cubic parabola
The clothid
• The equation of the clothoid can be derived from
r
 Cartesian Coordinates of a point on TC

BP = dx
PC= dy

Angle CBP = phi

P
 FOR CUBIC SPIRAL CUBIC PARABOLA
x=l
and

Shift of a circular curve:

When a TC is
introduced at the
end of a circular
curve it is necessary
to shift the main
curve inward to
accommodate TC.
 Tangent Length
TL=TA+AV For Cubic spiral

For Cubic parabola

Setting out Combind Curve