FUNDAMENTALS

OF SURVEYING

SIMPLE CURVE
PREPARED BY:
EN G R. D EN N I S LOPEZ
SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
A simple curve consists of a single arc of a circle connecting two straights. It has radius of the
same magnitude throughout.
 SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
•Point of Curvature (PC) - Point where the curve
leaves the first tangent
•Point of Tangency (PT) - Point where the curve
joins the second tangent
•Point of Intersection (PI) or Vertex - A point of
intersection of the two tangents (PC and PT)
•Middle of Curve (M) – Midpoint of the curve
•Middle of Chord (Q) – Midpoint of the long
chord
SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
•External Distance (E) - Distance from the
vertex to the curve (measured towards the
center of curvature)
•Middle Ordinate (m) - Line joining the middle
of curvature (M) and the middle of the chord
(Q)
•Tangent Distance (T) or Subtangent -
Distance from the vertex to PC or to PT.
•Length of Chord (L) = Distance from PC to PT.
 SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
•Length of Curve (Lc) = Curvilinear distance
from PC to PT.
•Radius (R) – Distance from center of curve
(O) to a tangent point (PC or PT)
•Angle of intersection (I) – The angle of
intersection of the tangents. It is equal to the
angle subtended by PC and PT at O.
•Offset distance (x) = a perpendicular
distance from a tangent line to the curve.
SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
I
T = Rtan 2 T = Length of tangent
I
E= R(sec 2 − 1) R = Radius
I
m= R(1 − cos 2) I = Angle of intersection
I
L = 2Rsin 2 E = External distance

m = Middle ordinate
L = Length of long chord
SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
I
L = 2Rsin 2 L = Length of long chord

I
𝑐 = 2Rsin 2 R = Radius

θ = I/2 I = Angle of intersection

𝑥 = 𝑐 ∗ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ θ = deflection angle

x = offset distance
SIMPLE CURVE
DISCUSSION
𝜋𝑅𝐼
Lc= Lc = Length of curve
180°

20𝐼
Lc= 1 Station = 20 m (SI units)
𝐷

100𝐼
Lc= 𝐷 1 Station = 100 ft (English
System)

Lc= Stationing of PT − Stationing of PC

SIMPLE
CURVE
LAYING OUT OF SIMPLE CURVE
➢ Using deflection angle

➢ Using offset distance

SIMPLE CURVE
Deflection Angle Method
PROCEDURE:
1. Compute all sub-chords and deflection angles needed in plotting the simple curve. The basis for the
first station must be a full station (divisible by 20 meters in metric or 100 feet in English).
2. Set-up the instrument at the vertex or Point of Intersection (PI). The theodolite must be leveled
precisely.
3. Locate the point of curvature (PC) using the theodolite as a guide with the help of range pole and the
steel tape as measuring device. Use compass if the bearing of the tangent line is given.
4. After locating PC, transfer the theodolite to PC and range pole to the vertex.
SIMPLE CURVE

PROCEDURE:
5. Align the telescope to vertex and set the horizontal angle to 0O0’ pointing through PC.

6. Determine the location of the first station (Station A) equal to the first deflection angle and sub-
chord 1 by using the theodolite and range pole as a guide to the head tape man.

7. Repeat the same procedure on all deflection angle and sub-chord to plot the curve.

8. If there is an obstruction, move the instrument to any station and recomputed the remaining
deflection angle needed.
SIMPLE
CURVE

EXAMPLE:
➢Plot the simple curve using
deflection angles and sub-
chord.

➢The stationing of PI =
9+123.80. Use R = 90.45 m
and I = 80 degrees.
 STA. PI = 9+123.80
SIMPLE
CURVE

EXAMPLE:
➢The stationing of PI =
9+123.80. Use R = 90.45 m
and I = 80 degrees.
 STA. PI = 9+123.80
SIMPLE
CURVE

EXAMPLE:
➢The stationing of PI = STA. PC = 9+047.90
9+123.80. Use R = 90.45 m
and I = 80 degrees.
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

Concept:
➢One station in metric system is equal to 20 meters.
➢Using arc basis, the first arc length is 6.29 meters to make the remaining length divisible by 20.
➢Divide the rest of the arc using the interval 20 meters.
➢Reference point is always point PC.
➢Cumulative length of curve is the arc length from PC to a point on the curve.
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

3 4
5
2
6.29 m 6
1
20.00 m
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

3 4
5
2
PC – 1 Lc = 6.29 m 6
1
PC – 2 Lc = 26.29 m
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

Concept:

➢The central angle for each arc on the curve

can be computed using ac length formula.

➢Let 2θ be the central angle of the arc.

 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters

SIMPLE PC
1
0.00
6.29
0.00
6.29
0.00
3.98
0.00
1.99
0.00
6.28
CURVE 2 20.00 26.29 16.65 8.33 26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

Concept:

➢The deflection angle is the angle between the tangent line and the sub-chord.

➢Central angle is one-half of the central angle.

➢Let θ be the deflection angle.

 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28

Concept:

➢Sub-chord is the line from PC to a point on the curve.

 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
Plot the points using 5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
deflection angles and
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
sub-chords.

3 4
5
2
6
1
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
Plot the points using 5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
deflection angles and
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
sub-chords.
θ1
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
Plot the points using 5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
deflection angles and 6 20.00 106.29 2 67.33 33.67 100.29
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
sub-chords.
θ2
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
Plot the points using 5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
deflection angles and
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
sub-chords.

3 4
5
2
6
1
 SIMPLE CURVE

Concept: Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45

Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
➢A simpler procedure Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
is to divide the length PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
of the curve into n- 1 12.63 12.629 8.00 4 12.62
equal parts. 2 12.63 25.258 16.00 8 25.18
3 12.63 37.887 24.00 12 37.61
➢Solve the central 4 12.63 50.516 32.00 16 49.86
angle of each arc. 5 12.63 63.145 40.00 20 61.87
6 12.63 75.774 48.00 24 73.58
➢Solve the length of 7 12.63 88.403 56.00 28 84.93
chord. 8 12.63 101.032 64.00 32 95.86
9 12.63 113.661 72.00 36 106.33
➢Plot the points. PT 12.63 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
SIMPLE
CURVE

4 5 6
3 7
8
2
9
1 Equally spaced!
SIMPLE CURVE

Offset Distance Method

PROCEDURE:
1. Another technique in laying-out a simple curve is by using the offset distance from the tangent line. This
technique is appropriate if there are obstructions along the line of sight from the point of curvature (PC).
2. The offset distance of the given station is the perpendicular distance from the tangent line. The offset
distance can be solved by using the right triangle in the figure.
3. First, compute all the necessary deflection angle and offset distance “x” and “y” by using the deflection
angle and sub-chord.
4. If the vertex was given by the instructor, Set-up the instrument in the vertex and pinpoint the location of
PC. Mark the location of PC using marking pins or chalk.
SIMPLE CURVE

PROCEDURE:
5. Transfer the instrument to the PC. Again, set-up the theodolite properly and focus the line of sight to
the vertex using range pole. Find all the required points along the tangent (distance x) and mark it
using marking pins.

6. In locating points along the curve, transfer the theodolite to the first point along the tangent line.
Focus the line of sight through PC and set the instruments’ horizontal angle to zero. Rotate the
telescope horizontally equal to 90 degrees towards the curve. Make necessary measurements and mark
the first point using marking pins or chalk.

7. Repeat this procedure according to the number of points along the curve.
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord
Point
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters
SIMPLE PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CURVE 1
2
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83
Concept: 5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29
➢Offset distance PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28
(x) using
x 4
Pythagorean 90° 5
Theorem. y 3
6
➢Tangent segment
θ c
(y) using x = c*sinθ
Pythagorean y = c*cosθ
Theorem.
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Point FIELDWORK 8
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord Tangent Segment Offset Distance
2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees
SIMPLE
Lc in meters Lc in meters c in meters y in meters x in meters
PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1
2 CURVE
6.29
20.00
6.29
26.29
3.98
16.65
1.99
8.33
6.28
26.21
6.28
25.93
0.22
3.80
3 20.00 46.29 29.32 14.66 45.78 44.29 11.59
4 20.00 66.29 41.99 21 64.83 60.52 23.23
5 20.00 86.29 54.66 27.33 83.05 73.78 38.13
6 20.00 106.29 67.33 33.67 100.29 83.47 55.60
PT 20.00 126.29 80.00 40 116.28 89.08 74.74

Concept: x
90° 4
➢Offset distance 5
y 3
(x) using
6
Pythagorean
θ
Theorem. c x = c*sinθ
➢Tangent segment y = c*cosθ
(y) using
Pythagorean
Theorem.
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Point FIELDWORK 8
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord Tangent Segment Offset Distance
Lc in meters Lc in meters 2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees c in meters y in meters x in meters
PT SIMPLE
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
6
5 CURVE
20.00
20.00
20.00
40.00
12.67
25.34
6.34
12.67
19.98
39.68
19.86
38.71
2.21
8.70
4 20.00 60.00 38.01 19.01 58.93 55.72 19.20
3 20.00 80.00 50.68 25.34 77.42 69.97 33.13
2 20.00 100.00 63.35 31.68 95.00 80.84 49.89
1 20.00 120.00 76.01 38.01 111.40 87.77 68.60
PC 6.29 126.29 80.00 40.00 116.28 89.08 74.74

Concept:
4
x
➢Offset distances 3 90° y
from the tangent 5
line through PT
x = c*sinθ
c θ
can also be used.
y = c*cosθ
 Lc = 126.29 I = 80.00 R = 90.45
Point FIELDWORK 8
Length of Curve Cumulative Central Angle Deflection Angle Sub-chord Tangent Segment Offset Distance
2θ in Degrees θ in Degrees
SIMPLE
Lc in meters Lc in meters c in meters y in meters x in meters
PC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1
2 CURVE
12.63
12.63
12.629
25.258
8.00
16.00
4
8
12.62
25.18
12.59
24.93
0.88
3.50
3 12.63 37.887 24.00 12 37.61 36.79 7.82
4 12.63 50.516 32.00 16 49.86 47.93 13.74
5 12.63 63.145 40.00 20 61.87 58.14 21.16
6 12.63 75.774 48.00 24 73.58 67.22 29.93
7 12.63 88.403 56.00 28 84.93 74.99 39.87
8 12.63 101.032 64.00 32 95.86 81.29 50.80
9 12.63 113.661 72.00 36 106.33 86.02 62.50
PT 12.63 126.29 80.00 40 116.28 89.08 74.74

Concept: x 5 6
3 4 7
➢Just like in deflection 8
2
angle method, a simple
9
approach is to divide the 1 Equally spaced!
length of curve into n-
equal parts.
SIMPLE CURVE

APPARATUS:
➢ Compass

➢Theodolite (optional)

➢Surveyor’s Tape

➢Pegs / Chaining pins / Marker

➢Plumb bob

➢Range pole
 SIMPLE CURVE

VIDEO EXAMPLES

Laying out simple curve (actual fieldwork):

Civil Anima.l (April 15, 2020). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz6CtOmhZW8

Laying out simple curve using deflection angles:

Maleek, Jayson. (Sept. 11, 2020). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqpnWBjDgo&t=38s

Sujin, George. (April 22, 2021). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlEZhVGvu3o&t=969s

Laying out simple curve using offset distance: Engineer Boy. (Nov. 2, 2017). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dzSUkDKDfU
SIMPLE CURVE

END