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Chapter Three-Curves-2010 E.C - Edited-1
Chapter Three-Curves-2010 E.C - Edited-1
Table of Contents
3. Curves .................................................................................................2
3.1. General ..........................................................................................2
3.2. Types of curves and their uses ..........................................................2
3.3. Simple Circular curves ......................................................................4
3.4. PARTS OF SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE ..................................................4
3.4.1. DESIGNATION OF CURVE ............................................................6
3.4.2. RELATION BETWEEN DEGREE AND RADIUS OF CURVE ....................7
3.4.3. FORMULAE FOR ELEMENTS OF A SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE .............9
3.3. Compound curves .......................................................................... 10
3.4. Reverse cures ................................................................................ 12
3.5. Transition curves ........................................................................... 12
3.6. Vertical curves ............................................................................... 14
3.6.1. ELEMENTS OF PARABOLIC VERTICAL CURVE ................................ 16
3.6.2. Vertical Curve Calculation .......................................................... 17
3.6.3. Equations of symmetrical parabolic vertical curve ......................... 17
3.7. Methods of setting out .................................................................... 18
3.7.1. SETTING OUT A SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE BY LINEAR METHODS ... 20
3.7.2. SUCCESSIVE BISECTION OF ARCS. ............................................ 23
3.7.3. SETTING OUT A SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE BY ANGULAR METHODS 23
3.7.4. RANKINE'S METHOD OF DEFLECTION ANGLE ............................... 23
3.7.5. Two-theodolite method ............................................................. 26
3. Curves
3.1. General
The center line of a road consists of series of straight lines interconnected by
curves that are used to change the alignment, direction, or slope of the road.
Those curves that change the alignment or direction are known as horizontal
curves, and those that change the slope are vertical curves.
The initial design is usually based on a series of straight sections whose positions
are defined largely by the topography of the area. The intersections of pairs of
straights are then connected by horizontal curves.
This is necessary for smooth and safe movement of the vehicles and for the
comfort of passengers. The curves required may be in the horizontal planes or in
the vertical planes. Accordingly the curves are classified as horizontal curves
and vertical curves.Horizontal curves are further classified as circular curves
and transition curves.
Figure 3. 1
Figure 3. 2
PC-PI and PI-PT are the two intersecting straights joined by a simple circular
curve PC-M-PT of radius R, as shown in the figure above.
Figure 3. 3
A simple circular curve may either be designated by radius (in feet, meters or
chains) or by degree of the curve. The former system is adopted in UK and
Australia, whereas the latter is in use in U.S.A., Canada, France and India
Field measurements of the curve with any distance or any angle measuring
instrument (e.g. the tape, theodolite), of course, must be made along the chords
and not along the arc. Discuss the relation between the arc length and the
chord length of the following figure.
Figure 3. 4
The degree of a curve can be defined either on the basis of an arc or a chord.
According to the arc definition, the degree of a curve is defined as the central
angle subtended by an arc of 30 or 20 m length (Fig. 3.5(a)). According to the
chord definition, the degree of a curve is the central angle subtended by a chord
of 30 or 20m length (Fig. 3.5(b)). It will define the sharpness of the curve. In
English system, 1 station is equal to 100 ft. In SI, 1 station is equal to 20 m. It is
important to note that 100 ft is equal to 30.48 m not 20 m. In highways, it is
customary to use the arc definition, whereas the chord definition is utilized in
railways.
Figure 3. 5
Figure 3. 6
RD
30
180
30 180
or R
D
1718.9 1719
or R (3.1)
D D
If D is the degree of curve for a 20 m arc, then
RD
20
180
20 180
or R
D
1145.9 1146
or R (3.2)
D D
Chord definition. For a 30m chord, from triangle T1OM
D T1 M 15
sin
2 OT1 R
15
or R
D
sin
2
D D
Since D is very small, therefore, sin . Hence,
2 2
15
R
D
2 180
15 2 180
or R
D
1718.9 1719
or R (3.3)
D D
Similarly, for a 20 m chord, from triangle T1OM
D T1 M 10
sin
2 OT1 R
10
or R
D
sin
2
D D
Since D is very small, therefore, sin . Hence,
2 2
10
R
D
2 180
10 2 180
or R
D
1145.9 1146
or R (3.4)
D D
R
l ,
180
Where is in degrees
If a 30 m arc or chord definition is used, then
1719 30
l
D 180 D
If a 20 m arc or chord definition is used, then
1146 20
l (3.5)
D 180 D
Tangent length
Tangent length, T IT1 IT2 R tan (3.6)
2
Long chord length
T1 D R sin
2
Hence, L 2R sin (3.7)
2
Apex distance
Apex distance, IC IO CO
IC R sec R
2
IC R sec 1 (3.8)
2
Mid-ordinate
Mid-ordinate, O0 CD CO DO
O0 R R cos
2
O0 R1 cos
2
or O0 Rvers (3.9)
2
Therefore, mid-ordinate is also known as versed sine of the curve.
Figure 3. 7
Figure 3. 8
Figure 3. 9
SUPERELEVATION
Although transition curves can be used to introduce the radial force gradually in attempt
to minimize its effect, this effect can also be greatly reduced and even eliminated by
raising one side of the road way or one side of the track relative to the other. The
difference in height b/n the road channel is known as the super elevation.
Figure 3. 10
CREST CURVES: - Which can also be referred to as a summit or hogging curve,
is one for which the algebraic difference is negative when calculated from right to
left.
Figure 3. 11
SAG CURVES. A sag curve (valley or sagging) curve is one for which the
algebraic difference of the gradients is positive when calculated from right to left.
Figure 3. 12
Purposes of vertical curves
There are two general purposes of Vertical curves:
1) Adequate visibility (Sight distance) - For a vehicle to stop or to overtake
safely, it is essential that on coming or any obstructions in the road can
be seen clearly at good time.
2) Passenger comfort & safety- As the vehicle travels along the curve a
radial force acts on the vehicle in the vertical plan.
Figure 3. 13
The curve lengths from PVC to PVI and from PVI to PVT are equal.
Figure 3. 14
The vertical point of curvature (PVC) and the vertical point of tangency (PVT) are
located a horizontal distance of L/2 from the PVI. The PVC is generally designated
as the origin for the curve and is located on the approaching roadway segment.
The PVT serves as the end of the vertical curve and is located at the point where
the vertical curve connects with the departing roadway segment. In other words,
the PVC and PVT are the points along the roadway where the vertical curve
begins and ends.
After located the PVI, PVC, and PVT, you are ready to develop the shape of your
curve. The equation that calculates the elevation at every point along an
equaltangent parabolic vertical curve is shown below.
Figure 3. 15
Let X and Y are the coordinates of point p on the curve with respect to point A.
X= the vertical offset (m) from the vertex (PVI) to the middle of the curve.
Y= the vertical offset (m) from the tangent to any point on the curve.
Figure 3. 16
Let it be required to set out a curve T1CT2 between the two intersecting straights
T1I and T2I (Fig.2.8). R is the radius of the curve, O0 the mid-ordinate, and Ox the
offset at a point P at a distance x from the mid-point (M) of the long chord.
From triangle OMT1:
OM OT 1
2
MT1
2
2 L 2
or OM R
2
Now, CM OC OM
or O0 R OM
2
In triangle OP’G
OG R 2 x 2 , and OM R O0
Hence, PP ' R 2 x 2 R O0 ,
x2
Ox . (approximate expression)
2R
It should be clearly noted that the distance x in the approximate method is
measured from the tangent point T1, while it is measured from the mid-point of
the chord in the previous case (Eqn.3.1)
By assigning different values to x, the corresponding values of offsets Ox be
calculated. The calculated offsets can be set out from the long chord and points
can be established in the field which when joined produce the required curve.
PERPENDICULAR OFFSETS FROM THE TANGENT.
This method is suitable for small values of the radius, length of curve and
deflection angle. In Fig. 3.2, Ox is offset perpendicular to the tangent at a
distance x from the point of curve T1,
Figure 3. 17
PO 2 OE 2 PE 2 ,
or R 2 R O x x 2 ,
2
or R O x R2 x2 ,
x2
or Ox . (approximate expression)
2R
Figure 3. 18
R Ox 2 R 2 x 2 ,
R Ox R 2 x 2 ,
Ox R 2
x2 R , (exact expression) (3.3)
x2
or Ox . (Approximate expression)
2R
Figure 3. 19
Let T1 and T2 be the tangent points. The long chord T1 T2 is bisected at D. Mid-
ordinate is equal to R (1 - cos Δ/2). Thus, point C is established (Fig. 12.12). T1,C
and T2C are joined. T1C and T2C are bisected at D1 and D2, respectively.
Perpendicular offsets D1C1 and D2C2 all will be equal to R (1 - cos Δ/4). These
offsets are set out giving points C1 and C2 on the curve. By the successive bisection
of the chords T1C1, C1C, CC2 and C2T2, more points may be obtained which when
joined produce the required curve.
Figure 3. 20
A deflection angle to any point on the curve is the angle at P.C. between the
tangent and the chord from P.C. to that point. According to Rankine's method,
this deflection angle is equal to half the angle subtended by the arc at the centre.
In Fig. 3.5, T1 is the P.C., a, b, c, etc. are the points on the curve; 1 , 2 , 3 ,etc.
are the respective deflection angles between the chords and the respective
tangents at T1, a, b, etc.; 1 , 2 , 3 etc. are the total deflection angles to the
points a, b, c, etc.
From the property of a circle that the angle subtended by a chord at the centre is
twice the angle between the tangent and the chord. Then,
T1Oa 2 IT1a 21
C1
or 1 radians,
2R
C1 180
or 1 degrees,
2R
C1 90
or 1 degrees
R
C1 180
or 1 60 minutes,
2R
C1
i.e. 1 1718.9 minutes, (3.4)
R
C2 C
Similarly, 2 1718.9 minutes, 3 1718.9 3 minutes
R R
For the first chord T1a, the deflection angle 1 is its tangential angle 1 . For the
Let the tangential angle for chord ab = 2 , i.e. the angle between the tangent at
2 1 2
2 1 2
3 1 2 3
3 2 3
and n 1 2 .... n
n n1 n (3.5)
Set the second deflection angle 2 on the scale so that the line of sight is set
along T1b.
With the zero of the tape held at a and an arrow at the other end (chord
distance = ab), swing the tape about a, till the arrow is bisected by the theodolite
at b. This establishes the second point b on the curve.
The same steps are repeated till the last point T2 is reached.
This method is most convenient when the ground is undulating, rough and not
suitable for linear measurements. In this method, two theodolites are used and
linear measurements are completely eliminated. Hence, this is the most accurate
method. It is based on the principle that the angle between the tangent and the
chord is equal to the angle subtended by the chord in the opposite segment.