CURVES - DEFINITON

Horizontal curves Transition curves Vertical curves

Curves of The curves The curves

constant are designed are designed
radius and built to and made to
required to connect the join two
connect two straight lines different
straights set with circular straight
out on the curves slope.
ground.

CURVES - PURPOSE
Horizontal curves Transition curves Vertical curves

For the convenience To avoid the To avoid the

of road users situation where a situation where a
To connect the sudden change in sudden change in
straight lines with a the vehicle entering the vehicle when it
horizontal curve the curve from a starts down the
straight round road after climbing
a hill or otherwise.
CURVES - TYPES
Horizontal curves Transition curves Vertical curves

-Circular curves
-Transition curves None Crest curves
-Compound curves Sag curves
-Reverse curves

CURVES - GEOMETRY
Horizontal curves Transition curves Vertical curves

The parabola has the desirable

I characteristics of
(1)a constant rate of change of
slope, which contributes to
smooth alignment transition,
P R (2)ease of computation of
T1 T2 O vertical offsets, which permits
easily computed curve
elevations

T1 T2
Crest curves
T1 T2
Sag curves
CURVES SETTING OUT METHOD

Horizontal curves Transition curves Vertical curves

Offset From The Wacky turn None

Tangent line Setting out the
Offset From The transition curves
Long chords line from T1 to T2
Deflection angle Setting out the
method transition curves
Sub chords line from T4 to T3
method Setting out the
circular curves from
T2 to T3

Circular curves - types

Simple circular curves

R R

Compound curves
R2 R1

Reverse curves R2
R1

R1
R2