HU, IoT, SCEng Solved Problems on Geometric Design

Solved Problems on Geometric Design

1) Calculate the minimum stopping sight distance to avoid a head on collision of car
approaching stationary object at speed of 100km/hr, by assuming the reaction time of
2.5sec and longitudinal coefficient of friction to be 0.37 on a level road.
Solution:
The Stopping sight distance comprises two elements:
 d1 = the distance moved from the instant the object is sighted to the
moment the brakes are applied and
 d2 = the distance traversed while braking (the braking distance).
 The distance traveled before the brakes are applied is:
Vt 100 × 2.5
d = = = .
3.6 3.6
 The braking distance, d2,
V (100)
d = = = .
254(f ± G) 254(0.37 ± 0)
 Then the total stopping sight distance can be
= + = . + . = .

2) Determine the minimum passing sight distance for a two-way traffic road with the
following data:
 Speed of overtaking vehicle = 60 km/hr
 Speed of overtaken vehicle = 50 km/hr
 Acceleration of overtaking vehicle = 4 km/hr/sec
 Reaction time of the driver of the overtaking vehicle = 2.5 sec
 Time passing vehicle occupies left lane = 3.5 sec

Solution:

Safe or minimum passing sight distance (PSD) is;

= + + +
 d1 is the distance traveled during preliminary delay time;
t 4 × 2.5
d = 0.278 t − + = 0.278 × 2.5 60 − (60 − 50) + = .
2 2
 d2 is the distance traveled by passing vehicle on the left lane;
d = 0.278 t = 0.278 × 60 × 3.5 = .

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 d3 is the distance b/n passing vehicle at the end of the maneuver and the
opposing vehicle and is dependent on ambient speeds as per Table 4-14:
d =
 d4 the distance covered by the opposing vehicle;
2 2
d = = × 58.38 = .
3 3

Safe or minimum passing sight distance (PSD) is;

= + + +
= . + . + + .
= .

3) A horizontal curve is to be designed to connect two straight sections of a highway. The PI

is originally determined to be stn 180 + 00, and D is 300. If the radius of the curve is fixed
at 403.15 m, (a) Determine the tangent distance, long chord, middle ordinate, and external
distance; (b) Determine the station numbers of PC and PT.
Given data:
 Station of PI, 180 + 00
 Deflection angle, D = 300
 Radius of circular curve, Rc= 403.15 m

Solution:

a) Determine the tangent distance, long chord, middle ordinate, and external distance

 Tangent length of the curve, T

∆ 30
= = 403.15 = .
2 2
 Long chord, C
∆ 30
=2 = 2 × 403.15 = .
2 2
 Middle ordinate, M
∆ 30
= 1− = 403.15 1 − = .
2 2
 External distance, E
∆ 30
= − 1 = 403.15 −1 = .
2 2

b) Determine the station numbers of PC and PT

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 Length of circular curve, Lc

∆ × 403.15 × 30
= = = .
180 180

 Chainage of tangent points

= . − = (180 + 00) − (1 + 08.02) = + .
= . + = (178 + 91.98) + (2 + 11.09) = + .

4) A horizontal circular curve having an intersection angle of 28° is to have a radius of 1200
m. The point of curve is at station 82 + 30. (a) Determine the tangent distance, long
chord, middle ordinate, and external distance, (b) Determine all the data necessary to
stake the curve if the chord distance between successive stations is to be 100 m.
Given data:
 Station of PC, 82 + 30
 Deflection angle, D = 280
 Radius of circular curve, Rc= 1200 m

Solution:

a) Determine the tangent distance, long chord, middle ordinate, and external distance

 Tangent length of the curve, T

∆ 28
= = 1200 = .
2 2
 Long chord, C
∆ 28
=2 = 2 × 1200 = .
2 2
 Middle ordinate, M
∆ 28
= 1− = 1200 1 − = .
2 2
 External distance, E
∆ 28
= − 1 = 1200 −1 = .
2 2

b) Determine all the data necessary to stake the curve if the chord distance between
successive stations is to be 100 m

 Length of circular curve, Lc

∆ × 1200 × 28
= = = .
180 180

 Chainage of tangent points

= 82 + 30

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= + = (82 + 30) + 586.43 = + .

Setting out of the circular curve:

= 1718.873

Chord Tangential Deflection

Chainage Length angle (α) angle (D)
Point (m) (m) min min
0 (PC) 8230 0 0.00 0.00
1 8300 70 100.27 100.27
2 8400 100 143.24 243.51
3 8500 100 143.24 386.75
4 8600 100 143.24 529.99
5 8700 100 143.24 673.23
6 8800 100 143.24 816.46
7 (PT) 8816.43 16.4306 23.54 840.00
:

= ∆ = ( )= ≈ ⟶ !

5) A horizontal circular curve for a highway is to be designed with transition spirals. The PI
is at station 34 + 93.81, and the intersection angle is 53°. In accordance with the
governing design criteria, the spirals are to be 350 m long and the radius of curve is to be
954.93 m. The approach spiral will be staked by setting the transit at the TS and locating
10 stations on the spiral by means of their deflection angles from the main tangent.
Compute all data needed for staking the approach spiral.
Given data:
 Station of PI, 34 + 93.81
 Deflection angle, D = 530
 Radius of circular curve, Rc= 954.93 m
 Length of transition curves, Ls= 350 m

Solution:
 Shift, S
350
= = = .
24 24 × 954.93
 Spiral angle, θs
350
= 28.65 = 28.65 × =
954.93
 Central angle of circular portion, Dc
∆ =∆−2 = 53 − (2 × 10 30 00 ) =

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 Length of circular curve, Lc

∆ × 954.93 × 31 59 50
= = = .
180 180
 Tangent length of the curve, Ts
∆ 350 53
= +( + ) = + (954.93 + 5.35) = .
2 2 2 2
 Chainage of tangent points
= 34 + 93.81
= − = (34 + 93.81) − 653.78 = + .
= + = (28 + 40.03) + 350 = + .
= + = (31 + 90.03) + 533.31 = + .
= + = (37 + 23.34) + 350 = + .
Determine setting out data using Theodolite method for the transition curve locating 10
stations on the spiral by means of their deflection angles from the main tangent.

 Deflection angle for the transition curve:

=
1 180
⟹ = × × 60
2 3
1 180
⟹ = × × 60
2 × 3500 × 954.93 3
⟹ = 0.001714
Setting out of the first transition curve:
= 0.001714

Chainage Chord Deflection

Point (m) Length (m) l (m) angle (d) min
0 (BS) 2840.03 0 0 0.00
1 2875.03 35 35 2.10
2 2910.03 35 70 8.40
3 2945.03 35 105 18.90
4 2980.03 35 140 33.60
5 3015.03 35 175 52.50
6 3050.03 35 210 75.60
7 3085.03 35 245 102.90
8 3120.03 35 280 134.40
9 3155.03 35 315 170.10
10 (BC) 3190.03 35 350 210.00
:

= = ( )= ≈ ⟶ !

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6) A horizontal circular curve for a highway is to be designed with transition spirals. The PI
is at station 6+000, and the intersection angle is 40°. In accordance with the governing
design criteria, the spirals are to be 90 m long and the radius of curve is to be 300 m. The
approach spiral will be staked at 10 m intervals by setting the transit at the TS and the
circular curve will be staked at 20 m intervals by setting the transit at the SC by means of
their deflection angles from the main tangent. Compute all data needed for staking the
approach spiral.
Given data:
 Station of PI, 6 + 000
 Deflection angle, D = 400
 Radius of circular curve, Rc= 300m
 Length of transition curves, Ls= 90m

Solution:
 Shift, S
90
= = = .
24 24 × 300
 Spiral angle, θs
90
= 28.65 = 28.65 × =
300
 Central angle of circular portion, Dc
∆ = ∆ − 2 = 40 − (2 × 8 35 42 ) =
 Length of circular curve, Lc
∆ × 300 × 22 48 36
= = = . ≈
180 180
 Tangent length of the curve, Ts
∆ 90 40
= +( + ) = + (300 + 1.125) = . ≈
2 2 2 2
 Chainage of tangent points
= 6 + 000
= − = (6 + 000) − 155 = +
= + = (5 + 845) + 90 = +
= + = (5 + 935) + 120 = +
= + = (6 + 055) + 90 = +
Determine setting out data using Theodolite method for the transition curve at 10m intervals
and the circular curve at 20m intervals.
 Deflection angle for the transition curve:
=

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1 180
⟹ = × × 60
2 3
1 180
⟹ = × × 60
2 × 90 × 300 3
⟹ = 0.02122

 Deflection angle for the circular curve:

2 =
360 = 2
⟹ = 1718.873
Setting out of the first transition curve:
= 0.02122

Chord l Deflection
Point Chainage (m) Length (m) (m) angle (d) min
0 (BS) 5845 0 0 0.00
1 5850 5 5 0.53
2 5860 10 15 4.77
3 5870 10 25 13.26
4 5880 10 35 25.99
5 5890 10 45 42.97
6 5900 10 55 64.19
7 5910 10 65 89.65
8 5920 10 75 119.36
9 5930 10 85 153.31
10 (BC) 5935 5 90 171.88
:

= = ( )= ≈ . ⟶ !

Setting out of the circular curve:

= 1718.873

Chainage Chord Tangential Deflection

Point (m) Length (m) angle (α) min angle (α) min
10 (BC) 5935 0 0.00 0.00
11 5940 5 28.65 28.65
12 5960 20 114.59 143.24
13 5980 20 114.59 257.83
14 6000 20 114.59 372.42
15 6020 20 114.59 487.01
16 6040 20 114.59 601.61
17 (EC) 6055 15 85.94 687.55

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= ∆ = ( )= ≈ . ⟶ !

Setting out of the second transition curve:

= 0.02122

Chainage Chord Deflection

Point (m) Length (m) l (m) angle (d) min
17 (EC) 6145 0 0 0.00
18 6140 5 5 0.53
19 6130 10 15 4.77
20 6120 10 25 13.26
21 6110 10 35 25.99
22 6100 10 45 42.97
23 6090 10 55 64.19
24 6080 10 65 89.65
25 6070 10 75 119.36
26 6060 10 85 153.31
27(ES) 6055 5 90 171.88
:

= = ( )= ≈ . ⟶ !

7) A circular curve of 800 m radius has been set out connecting two straights with a
deflection angle of 420. It is decided, for construction reasons, that the midpoint of the
curve must be moved 4 m towards the center, i.e. away from the intersection point. The
alignment of the straights is to remain unaltered. Calculate:
a) The radius of the new curve
b) The distance from the intersection point to the new tangent points
c) The deflection angles required for setting out 30 m chords of the new curve

Solution:

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Referring to figure above:

External distancee (IA) of the previous curve is:
∆ 42
= − 1 = 800 × −1 = .
2 2
Therefore, external distance (IB) of the new curve is:
= +4= .
a) The radius of the new curve
∆
= −1
2
42
60.92 = −1
2
ℎ ℎ =
b) Tangent length (IT1)
∆ 42
= = 856 × = .
2 2
c) The deflection angles required for setting out 30 m chords of the new curve

⟹ = 1718.873
30
⟹ = 1718.873 = 60.24 =
856

8) An approach grade of+1.5 percent intersects a grade of-2.5

of 2.5 percent at station 29 + 00 of
elevation 226.30 m. The connecting parabolic curve is to be 800 m long. Locate the
th
summit.
Given data:
 G1= 1.5 %
 G2= -2.5 %
 Chainage of PVI = 29 + 00
 Elevation of PVI = 226.30 m
 Length of curve, L = 800 m

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Solution:
To locate the summit, it is necessary to get chainage and elevation of PVC as follows:
 Chainage and elevation of PVC:
800
ℎ = ℎ − = 2900 − =
2 2
800
= − × = 226.30 − × 0.015 = .
2 2
The summit (highest point of the curve)
 Chainage of summit (highest point of the curve)
1.5 × 800
= = =
| − | |−2.5 − 1.5|
 Elevation of summit (highest point of the curve)
− ) (
= + +
100 200
1.5 × 230 (−2.5 − 1.5) × 300
= 220.30 + + = .
100 200 × 800

9) A highway must traverse a 6% followed by a -2% grade, the grades intersecting at station 50 +
00 of elevation 1629.00 m.. The length of the crest vertical curve is 2040 m. Calculate the
elevation for the first 600 m of the vertical curve at 100 m intervals, and the highest point of
the curve.
Given data:
 G1= 6.0 %
 G2= -2.0 %
 Chainage of PVI = 50 + 00
 Elevation of PVI = 1629.0 m
 Length of curve, L = 2040 m
Solution:
To determine elevations along the curve, it is necessary to get chainage and elevation of
PVC and PVT as follows:
 Chainage and elevation of PVC:
2040
ℎ = ℎ − = 5000 − =
2 2
2040
= − × = 1629.0 − × 0.06 = .
2 2
 Chainage and elevation of PVT:
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2040
ℎ = ℎ + = 5000 + =
2 2
2040
= − × = 1629.0 − × 0.02 = .
2 2
The elevation for the first 600 m of vertical curve at 100 m interval
Elevation on Final elevation
Chainage Length, initial tangent Offset, y along the curve
(m) x (m) (m) (m) (m)
3980 0 1567.80 0.00 1567.80
4000 20 1569.00 -0.01 1568.99
4100 120 1575.00 -0.28 1574.72
4200 220 1581.00 -0.95 1580.05
4300 320 1587.00 -2.01 1584.99
4400 420 1593.00 -3.46 1589.54
4500 520 1599.00 -5.30 1593.70
4600 620 1605.00 -7.54 1597.46

The summit (highest point of the curve)

 Chainage of summit (highest point of the curve)
6.0 × 2040
= = =
| − | |−2.0 − 6.0|
 Elevation of summit (highest point of the curve)
( − )
= + +
100 200
6.0 × 1530 (−2.0 − 6.0) × 1530
= 1567.80 + + = .
100 200 × 2040

10) A grade of-1.6 percent is followed by a grade of+3.8 percent, the grades intersecting at station
42 + 00 of elevation 210.00 m. The parabolic curve connecting these grades is to pass through
station 42 + 60 of elevation 213.70 m. Compute the required length of curve.
Given data:
 G1= -1.6 %
 G2= 3.8 %
 Chainage of PVI = 42 + 00
 Elevation of PVI = 210.0 m
 Elevation on the curve at chainage 42+60 = 213.70 m
Solution:
To determine the required length of curve:

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( ) ℎ 42 + 60
= + [(4260 − ℎ )× ]
3.8
= 210 + (4260 − 4200) × = .
100
ℎ 42 + 60,
= 4260 − 4260
= 213.70 − 212.28
212 = .
( ⁄2 − 60)
=
( ⁄2)

ℎ = , =| − | = 5.4%
(1.42
( 42 × 800) 120 120
⟹ = 1− , =
(5.4
5 × )
⟹ (1.42 × 6.67 ) = 5.4(1 − )
ℎ
− 3.754 + 1 = 0,
= 0.288 = 3.466
∴ = ( = 3.466 )

11) A down grade of 4% meets a rising grade of 5% in a sag curve. At the start of the curve
the level is 123.06 m at chainage 3420 m, whilst at chainage 3620 m there is an overpass
with an underside level of 127.06 m. If the design curve is to afford a clearance of 5 m at
this point, calculate the required curve length.

Solution:

To find the offset distance CE:

ℎ ℎ = 200 − 4%
= 123.06 − 8 = 115.06

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= 127.06 − 5 = 122.06
∴ = 122.06 − 115.06 =
( )
=
( )

, = ℎ = , ℎ =9%
200
,
( ) (200) 1800
∴ = = × =
( ) 200 ( )
∴ =

12) A falling
alling gradient of 4% meets a rising grade of 5% at chainage 2450 m and elevation
216.42 m. At chainage 2350 m the underside of a bridge has an elevation of 235.54 m.
The two grades are to be joined by a vertical parabolic curve giving 14 m clearance under
the bridge. List the elevations at 50 m intervals along the curve.

Solution:

To find the offset to the curve at the bridge:

ℎ 2350 = 216.42 + 4 = 220.42
ℎ 2350 = 216.42 − 14 = 221
221.54
∴ ℎ 2350 = = 221.54 − 220.42 = .
( ⁄2 − 100)
=
( ⁄2)

ℎ = , = 9%
(1.12 × 800) 200 200
∴ = 1− , =
(9 × )

∴ (1.12 × 4 ) = 9(1 − )

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ℎ ℎ − 2.5 + 1 = 0,
=2 = 0.5
∴ = 400 ( =2 )
To determine elevations along the curve, it is necessary to get chainage and elevation of PVC
and PVT as follows:
Chainage and elevation of PVC:
400
ℎ = ℎ − = 2450 − = 2250
2 2
400
= + × = 216.42 + × 0.04 = 224.42
2 2
Chainage and elevation of PVT:
400
ℎ = ℎ + = 2450 + = 2650
2 2
400
= + × = 216.42 + × 0.05 = 226.42
2 2

Chainage Length, Elevation on initial Offset, Final elevation

(m) x (m) tangent (m) y (m) along the curve (m)
2250 0 224.42 0.00 224.42
2300 50 222.42 0.28 222.70
2350 100 220.42 1.13 221.55
2400 150 218.42 2.53 220.95
2450 200 216.42 4.50 220.92
2500 250 214.42 7.03 221.45
2550 300 212.42 10.13 222.55
2600 350 210.42 13.78 224.20
2650 400 208.42 18.00 226.42

13) A grade of-4.6 percent is followed by a grade of+1.8 percent, the grades intersecting at
station 54 + 20 of elevation 296.30 m. The change in grade is restricted to 2 percent in
100 m. Compute the elevation of every 50 m station on the parabolic curve, and locate the
sag (lowest point of the curve). Applying the tangent-offset method.
Given data:
 G1= -4.6 %
 G2= +1.8 %
 Chainage of PVI = 54 + 20
 Elevation of PVI = 296.30 m
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 Rate of change in grade, r = 0.02 percent per meter

Solution:
Length of curve, L
− 1.8 − (−4.6)
= = =
0.02
To determine elevations along the curve, it is necessary to get chainage and elevation of
PVC and PVT as follows:
 Chainage and elevation of PVC:
320
ℎ = ℎ − = 5420 − =
2 2
320
= + × = 296.30 + × 0.046 = .
2 2
 Chainage and elevation of PVT:
320
ℎ = ℎ + = 5420 + =
2 2
320
= + × = 296.30 + × 0.018 = .
2 2
Elevation of every 50 m station on the parabolic curve
Elevation on Final elevation
Chainage Length, Offset,
initial tangent along the curve
(m) x (m) y (m)
(m) (m)
5260 0 303.66 0.00 303.66
5300 40 301.82 0.16 301.98
5350 90 299.52 0.81 300.33
5400 140 297.22 1.96 299.18
5450 190 294.92 3.61 298.53
5500 240 292.62 5.76 298.38
5550 290 290.32 8.41 298.73
5580 320 288.94 10.24 299.18
The sag (lowest point of the curve)
 Chainage of sag (lowest point of the curve)
4.6 × 320
= = =
| − | |1.8 − (−4.6)|
 Elevation of sag (lowest point of the curve)
( − )
= + +
100 200
(−4.6) × 230 1.8 − (−4.6) × 230
= 303.66 + + = .
100 200 × 320

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14) A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of+2.6 and -1.5 percent. Determine the
minimum length of curve that is needed to provide a sight distance of 450 m to an object
0.33 m in height. Assume that the eye of the motorist is 4.5 m above the roadway.
Given data:
 G1= 2.6 %
 G2= -1.5%
 Sight distance , S= 450 m
 Height of the driver's eyes above the ground, h1 = 4.5 m
 Height of the object above the roadway, h2 = 0.33 m
Solution:
First assume L > S, therefore
S
= =| − | = 4.1%
100 2ℎ + 2ℎ
4.1 × (450)
= = .
100 √2 × 4.5 + √2 × 0.33
, >
= .

15) A vertical curve is to be constructed between a 3.5% grade and a -4% grade. The required
sight distance is 300 m. The dangerous object is considered to be on the pavement
surface, and the driver’s eye level is at 1.05 m above the pavement surface. Determine the
length of the vertical curve that will satisfy the sight distance requirement.
Given data:
 G1= 3.5 %
 G2= -4.0%
 Sight distance , S= 300 m
 Height of the driver's eyes above the ground, h1 = 1.05 m
 Height of the object above the roadway, h2 = 0.00 m

Solution:
First assume L > S, therefore
S
= =| − | = 7.5%
100 2ℎ + 2ℎ

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7.5 × (300)
= = .
100 √2 × 1.05 + √2 × 0.00
, >
= .

16) Determine the minimum length of curve required to connect a descending 4% grade to an
ascending 3% grade. The vertical clearance should be 5.1 m and the required sight
distance is 300 m. The height of eye for a commercial vehicle is 1.83 m and the
hazardous object is 0.46 m above the pavement surface.
Given data:
 G1= -4.0 %
 G2= 3.0%
 Sight distance , S= 300 m
 Height of the driver's eyes above the ground, h1 = 1.83 m
 Height of the object above the roadway, h2 = 0.46 m
 Vertical clearance, C = 5.10 m

Solution:
First assume L > S, therefore

= =| − | = 7.0%
ℎ +ℎ
800 − 2
7 × (300)
= = .
1.83 + 0.46
800 5.1 − 2
Which violates our assumption of L > S
If we assume L < S, then
ℎ +ℎ
800 − 2
=2 − =| − | = 7.0%

1.83 + 0.46
800 5.1 − 2
= (2 × 300) − = .
7
, <
= .

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