ROUTE SURVEYING

Route surveying is applied to the surveys required to establish the horizontal

and vertical alignment for transportation facilities. Transportation facilities comprise a
network that includes highways, railways, rapid transit guide ways, canals, pipelines,
and transmission lines.

Surveys of some type are required for practically all phases of route alignment
planning design, and construction work. For small projects involving widening or
minor improvement of an existing facility, the survey may be relatively simple and
may include only the obtaining of sufficient information for the design engineer to
prepare plans and specifications defining the work to be done. For more complex
projects involving multiline highways on new locations, the survey may require a
myriad of details including data from specialist in related fields to determine the
location; to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates for construction; and to
prepare deed descriptions and maps for appraisal and acquisition of the necessary
rights of way.

The function of the survey or project engineer is to plan the surveys and
gather all survey data that may be needed to execute the design of a route
alignment for a particular project. This process includes obtaining the necessary
information regarding terrain and land use, making surveys to determine detailed
topography, and establishing horizontal and vertical control required for
construction layout. To acquire these data, the survey engineer must be familiar
with: (1) the geometry of horizontal and vertical curves and how they are used in the
route alignment procedure; (2) the methods of acquiring terrain data utilized in the
route design procedure; (3) the procedures followed in processing terrain data to
obtain earthwork volumes; and (4) the earthwork distribution processes.

Steps to be undertaken in Route Surveys:

1. Reconnaissance survey

It is rapid survey without the use of ordinary instruments in surveying that will
serve as a guide in selecting the route to be taken.

2. Preliminary survey

It is a survey made with the ordinary surveying instruments. The purpose of

which is to fix and mark on the ground the first trial route and to collect data
upon which the final location may be made.

3. Location or final survey

This is the survey used for construction of the project. Construction survey is a
survey used in the implementation and inspection of the project.

Fundamentals of Surveying
Route Curves for Horizontal and Vertical Alignments

Curves are usually employed in lines of communication in order that the

change of direction at the intersection of the straight line shall be gradual. The lines
connected by the curves are tangential to it and are called as tangents or straights.
Straight route of road or track is always desirable, since it provides economy in
construction, transportation and maintenance. But when there is change in
alignment or gradient of road or track, then it becomes a need to provide curves
under following circumstances: (1) excessive cutting and filling can be prevented by
providing the change in alignment by curves; (2) the obstruction which came in the
way of straight alignment can be made easier by providing by pass with the help of
curves; (3) in the straight route, gradient are made more comfortable and easy
providing diversions with help of curves and; (4) in the straight route, costly land
comes in the way then it can avoided by providing diversions with the help of
curves.

Fundamentals of Surveying
HORIZONTAL CURVES

Horizontal curves are provided to change the direction or alignment of a

road. Horizontal curves are circular curves or circular arcs. The sharpness of a curve
increases as the radius is decrease which makes it risky and dangerous. The main
design criterion of a horizontal curve is the provision of an adequate safe stopping
sight distance.

Types of Horizontal Curves:

1. Simple Curves

This is an arc of a circle which provided in the road to impose a curve

between the two straight lines. The radius of the circle determines the
sharpness or flatness of the curve.

C/2 C/2

Where:

= Point of curvature; = Middle ordinate; the distance from

The beginning of the curve
= Point of tangency; the end of curve
= Point of intersection of the tangents,
Also called as vertex
= Length of tangent from PC to PI and
From PI to PT; also known as subtangent
= Radius of simple curve
= Long chord; ength of chord from
PC to PT; point Q is the midpoint of L
= Length of curve from PC to PT;
Point M is the midpoint of Lc
= External distance; the nearest distance
From PI to the curve
Midpoint of curve to midpoint of chord
= Deflection angle; angle of intersection;
Or central angle; It is the angle of
Intersection of the tangents
= Offset distance from tangent to
the curve. (Note: x is perpendicular to T)
= Offset angle subtended at PC between
PI and any point in the curve
= Degree of curve; it is the central angle
subtended by a length of curve equal
to one station. In English system, one
station is equal to 100 ft and in SI, one
station is equal to 20m

Fundamentals of Surveying
 2. Compound Curve

This is a combination of two or more simple circular curves of different radius

having their curvature in the same direction. Essentially, a compound curve
consists of two curves that are joined at a point of tangency and are located
on the same side of a common tangent. Though their radii are in the same
direction, they are of different values.

Where:

= Point of curvature; = Length of first chord

= Point of tangency
= Point of intersection
= Point of compound curve
= Length of tangent of the first curve
= Length of tangent of the second curve
= Vertex of the first curve
= Vertex of the second curve
= Central angle of the first curve
= Central angle of the second curve
= Angle of intersection; +
= Length of first curve
= Length of second curve
= Length of second chord
= Length of long chord from PC to PT
+ T = Length of common tangent
measured from V1 to V2
= 180° - I
X and y can be found from triangle
V − V − PI
L can be found from triangle
PC − PCC − PT

Fundamentals of Surveying
 3. Reversed Curve

A reverse curve consists of two simple curves joined together but curving in
opposite direction. For safety reasons, the use of this curve should be
avoided when possible.

Where:
= Point of curvature;
= Point of tangency
= Point of reversed curve
= Length of tangent of the first curve
= Length of tangent of the second curve
= Vertex of the first curve
= Vertex of the second curve
= Central angle of the first curve
= Central angle of the second curve
= Length of first curve
= Length of second curve
= Length of reversed curvature; +
= Length of first chord
= Length of second chord
+ T = Length of common tangent @ V1 to V2
= Radii of curvature
= Degrees of curves
= Angle between converging tangents; +
= Distance between parallel tangents
= Offset

Fundamentals of Surveying
Types of Reverse Curve Problems:

a. Reversed curve with equal radii and parallel tangents

b. Reversed curve with unequal radii and parallel tangents
c. Reversed curve with radii and converging tangents
d. Reversed curve with unequal radii and converging tangents

4. Transition or spiral curve

The spiral is a curve that has a varying radius. It is used on railroad and most
modern highways. Its purpose is to provide a transition from the tangent to a
simple curve or between simple curves in a compound curve.

Where: = Offset distance (right angle distance)

= Tangent to spiral from tangent to any point on the spiral
= Spiral to curve = Offset distance (right angle distance)
= Curve to spiral from tangent to SC
= Long tangent = Distance along tangent to any point on
= Spiral to tangent the spiral
= Long tangent = Distance along tangent from TS to point
= Short tangent at right angle to SC
= Radius of simple curve = External distance of the simple curve
= Spiral tangent distance = Spiral angle from tangent to any point
= Circular curve atngent on the spiral
= Length of spiral from TS to any point = Spiral angle from tangent to SC
= Length of spiral = Deflection angle from TS to any point on
= Point of intersection the spiral; it is proportional to the square
= Angle of intersection of its distance
= Angle of intersection of the simple curve = Deflection angle from TS to SC
= Length of throw or the distance from = Degree of spiral curve at any point
tangent that the circular curve has been = Degree of simple curve
offset

Fundamentals of Surveying
VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are provided to change the slope in the road and may or
may not be symmetrical. They are parabolic and not circular like horizontal curves.
Identifying the proper grade and the safe passing sight distance is the main design
criterion of the vertical curve, crest vertical curve the length should be enough to
provide safe stopping sight distance and in sag vertical curve the length is important
as it influences the factors such as headlight sight distance, rider comfort and
drainage requirements.

Types of Vertical Curves:

1. Sag Curve

Sag vertical curves are curves that connect descending grades, forming a
bowl or sag. Designing them is very similar to the design of crest vertical
curves. Once again, the sight distance is the parameter that is normally
employed to find the length of the curve.

2. Crest or Summit Curve

Crest curves are those which change the alignment of the road from
downhill to uphill. In designing crest vertical curves, it is important that the
grades be not too high which makes it difficult for the motorists to travel upon
it.

Sample Problem:

1. A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a degree of curve of 6°:

a. Find the nearest distance from the midpoint of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents.
b. Compute the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the midpoint of
the long chord joining the point of curvature and point of tangency.
c. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 10+020, compute the
stationing of a point in the curve which intersects with the line making a
deflection angle of 8° with the tangent through the PC.

2. A simple curve of the proposed extension of Mantabahadra Highway have a

direction of tangent AB which is due north and tangent BC bearing N 50° E.
Point A is at the PC whose stationing is 20+130.46. The degree of curve is 4°:

a. Compute the long chord of the curve

b. Compute the stationing of point D on the curve along a line joining the
center of the curve which makes an angle of 54° with the tangent line
passing thru the PC
c. What is the length of the line from D to the intersection of the tangent AB

Fundamentals of Surveying
 3. The tangents of a simple curve have bearings of N 20° E and N 80° E
respectively. The radius of the curve is 200m.

a. Compute the external distance of the curve

b. Compute the middle ordinate of the curve
c. Compute the stationing of point A on the curve having a deflection
angle of 6° from the PC which is at 1+200.00.

4. The common tangent AB of a compound curve is 76.42m, with an azimuth of

268°30,. The vertex V being inaccessible. The azimuth of the tangents AV and
VB as measured to be 247°50’ and 282°50’, respectively. If the stationing of A
is 43+010.46 and the degree of the first was fixed at 4° based on the 20m
chord. Using chord basis:

a. Determine the stationing of the PC

b. Determine the stationing of the PCC
c. Determine the stationing of the PT

5. The long chord from the PC to the PT of a compound curve is 300 meters
long and the angles it makes with the longer and shorter tangents are 12°
and 15° respectively. If the common tangent is parallel to the long chord.

a. Find the radius of the first curve

b. Find the radius of the second curve
c. If stationing of PC is 10+204.30, find the stationing of PT

6. The locating engineer a railroad curve runs a 6° curve to the PCC, 300m
long from the PC of the compound curve, hence from the PCC a 1°40’ curve
was run towards to the PT 600m long. Use arc basis:

a. It is required to determine the length of the long chord connecting the PC

and PT
b. Find the angle that the long chord makes with the first tangent
c. Find the angle that the long chord makes with the second tangent.

7. The parallel tangents 10m apart are connected by a reversed curve. The
chord length from the PC to the PT equals 120m.

a. Compute the length of tangent with common direction

b. Determine the equal radius of the reversed curve
c. Compute the stationing of the PRC if the stationing of A at the beginning
of the tangent with common direction is 3+420.

8. In a rail road layout, the centerline of two parallel tracks are connected with
a reversed curve of unequal radii. The central angle of the first curve is 16°
and the distance between parallel tracks is 27.60m, stationing of the PC is
15+420 and the radius of the second curve is 290m.
a. Compute the length of the long chord from the PC to PT
b. Compute the radius of the first curve
c. Compute the stationing of the PT

Fundamentals of Surveying
 9. Two parallel tangents have directions of due east and are 200m apart, are
connected by a reversed curve having equal radius of 800m. The PC of the
curve is on the upper tangent while the PT is at the lower tangent. If the
horizontal distance parallel to the tangent from the PC to the PT of the
reversed curve is 800m.

a. Compute the distance of the intermediate tangent between the curves

b. Compute the distance between the centers of the reversed curve
c. Compute the stationing of PT, if stationing of the PC is 10+020.40.

10. A parabolic curve has a descending grade of -0.8 % which meets an

ascending grade of 0.4 % at station 10+020. The maximum allowable change
of grade per 20m station is 0.15. elevation at station 10+020 is 240.60m

a. What is the length of the curve?

b. Compute the elevation of the lowest point of the curve
c. Compute the elevation at station 10+000

11. A symmetrical vertical summit curve has tangents of +4 % and -2 %. The

allowable rate of change of grade is 0.3 % per meter station. Stationing and
elevation of PT is at 10+020 and 142.63 m, respectively.

a. Compute the length of curve

b. Compute the distance of the highest point of curve from the PC
c. Compute the elevation of the highest point of curve

12. A vertical parabolic sag curve of Lapulapu underpass has a grade of -4 %

followed by a grade of +2 % intersecting at station 12+150.60 at elevation
124.80 m above sea level. The change of grade of the sag curve is restricted
to 0.6 %.

a. Compute the length of curve

b. Compute the elevation of the lowesr point of the curve
c. Compute the elevation at station 12+125.60

Fundamentals of Surveying