Design of Highway

Horizontal Alignment

Chapter 16

Dr. TALEB M. AL-ROUSAN

 Horizontal Alignment
 Consists of straight sections of the
road (tangents) connected by
horizontal curves.
 Curves are segments of circles with
radii to provide smooth flow of traffic
along the curve.
 Min radius of horizontal curve
depends on design speed, super
elevation, and side friction.
R = u2/ (15 (e + f))
 Horizontal Alignment Cont.
 Objects located near the inside edge
of the road may interfere with the
view of the driver, which result in
reducing the driver sight distance.
 It is necessary to design a horizontal
curve such that the available sight
distance is at least equal to the safe
stopping sight distance.
 See Figure 16.18 for range of lower
values for SSD on horizontal curves.
 Horizontal Alignment Cont.
Arc : (S/2  R) = (2 θ /360)
S = (2R θ ) / 180
 R= radius of horizontal curve
 S= sight distance = length of arc = distance from the driver to
the object.
 2θ = angle subtended at the center of the circle by arc (S)
θ = (28.65)S/R

(R –m)/ R = cos θ = cos ((28.65)S/R)

m = R[1 – cos((28.65)S/R)]

 See Figure 16.19 for horizontal curve layout.

 Horizontal Curves
 The design entails the determination of:
 Min. radius
 Length of curve
 Computation of horizontal offsets from the
tangents to the curve (setting out).
 Types of horizontal curves:
 Simple
 Compound
 Reversed
 Spiral (transition)
 Simple Horizontal Curves
 See Figure 16.19 for simple horizontal
curve layout.
 The curve is a segment of a circle with
radius R.
 PC: point of curve (point at which curve begins).
 PT: point of tangent (point at which curve ends).
 PI: point of intersection (point at which tangents
intersect) known also as vertex (v).
 The simple circular curve is described by its:
 Radius (e.g. 200-ft radius).
 Degree of curve: has two definitions (the Arc &
the Chord).
•From Triangle (PI-PC-O) : tan ( /2) =T / R

From triangle (PC-O-B) (C/2)/R = sin ( /2)

 Simple Horizontal Curves/ Degree
of Curve
 The Arc: defines the curve in terms of the angle subtended at
the center by a circular arc 100 ft in length.
 See Figure 16. 20 (a).
 It means that for a (2o)curve, for example, an arc of 100 ft will
be subtended by an angle of (2o)at the center.
 If (θ) is the angle in radian subtended at the center by an arc of
the circle, the length of the arc
[L = R θ]
 If (Dao) is the angle in degrees subtended at the center by
an arc of length L, then
θ = ( Dao) / 180 … (rad)
L = [R ( Dao) / 180] = 100
R = (180 * 100) / ( Dao)
R = 5729.6/ (Dao)
 Note that the radius of the curve can be determined if the
degree of curve is known.
 Simple Horizontal Curves/ Degree
of Curve
 The chord: defines the curve in terms of
the angle subtended at the center by a
chord of 100 ft in length.
 See Figure 16. 20 (b).
R = 50/ sin(Dao/2)
 The arc definition is commonly used
for highway work.
 The chord definition is commonly used
for railway work.
 Formulas of Simple Circular Curves
 Referring to Fig 16.19 and using the
properties of the circle, the two tangent
lengths AV and BV are equal = T.
 The angle () formed by the two tangents is
known as the deflection angle.
 Tangent length= T = R tan ( /2)
 Long Chord = C = 2 R Sin ( /2)
 External Distance = E = R [(1/cos ( /2) ) -1]
 Middle ordinate = M = R [1- (cos ( /2))]
 Length of curve= L = [(R  o)/ 180]
Setting Out Simple Horizontal Curve

 Usually set out in the field by staking out points on the curve
using deflection angles measured from the tangent at (PC)
and the length of the chord joining consecutive whole
stations.
 See Figure 16.21.
 the first deflection angle (VAp = (1)/2) determined for the
first whole station on the curve, which is usually less than a
station a way from the PC.
 Next deflection angle
VAq = ((1)/2) + (D/2)
 The next angle : VAv =((1)/2) + (D/2) + (D/2)=
=((1)/2) + D

 The next angle : VAs =((1)/2) + 3D/2

 The last angle VAB =((1)/2) + 3D/2 +((2)/2) = /2

Setting Out Simple Horizontal Curve
Cont.

 To find (1 & 2) use the relation:

(L1/ 1) = (L/ )= (L2/2)
 Where:
 L1 = length of first arc = [( R )/ 180]
 R = [(L1*180)/ ( 
 R = [(180* L)/ ( 
 Which results in: (L1/ 1) = (L/ )= (L2/2)
 In setting out a simple horizontal curve in the field:
1. Locate PC & PT
2. Compute deflection angles from PC to each whole station.
3. Compute and measure chord distance from preceding station
 Note that L1 & L2 are measured along the curve, and the
corresponding chord lengths should be calculated, particularly
when curves are sharp
Setting Out Simple Horizontal Curve
Cont.

 Note that L1 & L2 are measured along the

curve, and the corresponding chord lengths
should be calculated, particularly when curves
are sharp.
 Chord lengths can be calculated by:
 First chord = C1 = 2 R sin (1/2)
 Intermediate chords = C = 2 R sin (D/2)
 last chord =C2 = 2 R sin (2/2)
 See Example 16.7 for Design of Horizontal
Curve
 Compound Curves
 Consist of two or more curves in
succession, turning in the same direction,
with any two successive curves having a
common tangent point.
 See Figure 16.23 for typical layout of
compound curve.
 These curves are used mainly in obtaining
desirable shapes of the horizontal
alignment in difficult topography conditions.
 radii of any two consecutive simple curves
forming the compound curve should not be
widely different to avoid abrupt changes in
alignment.
 Compound Curves
 AASHTO recommends that ratio of flatter
radius to sharper radius should not be
greater than 2:1. this is needed to adjust
for sudden changes in curvature and speed.
 To provide smooth transition from flat to
sharp curve, and to facilitate a reasonable
deceleration rate, the length of each curve
should not be too short.
 See Table 16.10 for min. lengths
recommended by AASHTO.
 Compound Curves Cont.
 See Figure 16.23
 Several solutions can be developed for the
compound curve, but the vertex triangle
method is presented here.
= 1 + 2
t1 = R1 tan (/2)
t2 = R2 tan (/2)
(VG/ sin (2)) = (VH/ sin (1))= (t1 + t2)/ sin (180 – )
= (t1 + t2)/ sin ()
T1 = VG + t1
T2 = VH + t2
 Compound Curves Cont.
 To lay out the curve, find 1 & 2 from
plans.
 Find required parameters (1, 2, t1,
t2. VG, VH, T1, T2).
 Deflection angles can then be
determined for each simple curve in
turn.
 See Example 16.8
 Reverse Curves
 Usually consist of two simple curves with equal radii
turning in opposite directions with a common tangent.
 Used to change the alignment of the highway.
 See Figure 16.25 for reverse curve with parallel
tangents.
 Seldom recommended because sudden changes to
the alignment may result in difficulties for drivers to
keep their lanes.
 When it is necessary to reverse alignment, it is
preferable to design two simple curves separated by
sufficient length of tangent between them to achieve
super elevation. Or
 The simple curves may be separated by an equivalent
length of spiral.
 Reverse Curves Cont.
 If D and d are known, it is necessary to
determine 1 & 2 to set out the curve.
= 1 = 2
angle OWX = 1/2 = 2/2
angle OYZ = 1/2 = 2/2
tan ( /2)= d/D
d= (R – R cos R – R cos )
= 2R (1 – cos ( ))
R = d / 2(1 – cos ( ))
If d and R are known, then
Cos  = 1- (d/2R)
D = d cot (
 Transition (Spiral) Curves
 Transition curves are placed between
tangents and circular curves or between
two adjacent circular curves having
different radii.
 They provide a vehicle path that gradually
increase or decrease the radial force as
vehicle inter or leave the circular curve.
 Degree of transition = 0o at tangent end, to
degree of circular curve at the curve end.
 When placed between two circular curves,
the Degree of transition curve = varies
from that of first curve to that of the
second circular curve.
Transition (Spiral) Curves Cont.
 Min. length of transition curve is given by:
L = (3.15 u3)/ RC
 L = min length of curve (ft)
 U = speed (mi/h)
 R = radius of curve (ft)
 C= rate of increase of radial acceleration
(ft/sec2/sec) (1 – 3)
 C: is an empirical factor that indicate the level of
comfort and safety involved (usually used values in
highway engineering vary from 1 to 3.
 See Table 16.12 for AASHTO recommended values
for length of spiral curves.
 Superelevation Runoff
 Superelevation runoff: the length of highway required
to achieve a full superelevated section from a section
with adverse crown removed, or vice versa.
 Its length depends on:
 Design speed
 Rate of superelevation
 Pavement width
AASHTO recommends that when spiral curves are used
in transition design, the superelevation runoff should
be achieved over the length of the spiral curve.
 It is recommended : length of spiral curve = length of
superelevation runoff.
 Table 16.13 shows recommended lengths for
superelevation runoff.
 Attainment of Superelevation
 Its is essential that when changing from a crowned
cross section to a superelevated one be achieved
without causing any discomfort or creating unsafe
conditions.
 To achieve this change the following methods can be
used on undivided highways:
 A crowned pavement is rotated about the profile of
the center line.
 A crowned pavement is rotated about the profile of
the inside edge.
 A crowned pavement is rotated about the profile of
the outside edge.
 A straight cross-slope pavement is rotated about the
profile of the outside edge.
 ٍٍ ٍSee Figure 16.26.
 Most commonly used method
(less distortion than other methods).
 Superelevation on Divided
Highways
 Superelevation is achieved on divided
highways using three methods:
1. Superelevating the whole cross section ,including
the median.
 mostly rotated about center line
 Used with narrow medians
 Moderate superelevations
2. rotating each pavement seperately around the
median edges, while keeping the median
horizontal.
 Used for medians with 30 ft or less
 Can be used for any median, because by keeping
the median in horizontal plane, the difference in
elevation between the extreme pavement edges
doesn’t exceed the pavement super elevation.
 Superelevation on Divided
Highways
3. The two pavements are treated
separately, resulting in variable elevation
differences between the median edges.
 used in pavements with medians width of
40 ft or greater.