1.

3 setting out of curve using Theodolite/

Total Station.

(Periods 2)
Setting out of curve
(By theodolite - Rankein’s method)
Fundamentals of circular curve
Curve facilitates change in direction of alignment in
between two straights (Two tangents).

For a simple circular curve following terminology is

used:-
Tangent length = T1 I = R tan Δ/2
Length of curve = T1AT2 = π R Δ /180
Length of long chord = T1T2(L) = 2 R Sin Δ/2
Apex distance = AI = R Sec Δ/2 – R

Where ‘R’ = Radius

Δ = Deflection angle.
 A

Fig -1
o
ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE
 Curve used in Railway working –
Transitioned circular curve.
• Terminology:-
1.Length of transition curve (LTC) ‘l’ :- Maxi of
i. 0.008 Ca .Vm Based on rate of
change of cant
ii. 0.008 Cd .Vm
gradient = 35 mm/ Sec.
iii 0.72 Ca ( Based on cant gradient of 1:720)
2. Shift ‘S’ = l 2/24.R
3. Combined curve length ‘ CCL’ = π R Δ /180+ l
 Typical calculations
• Example :- Puntamba-Shirdi project - Take off curve.
• Δ = 100º4’00”
• LTC ‘l ‘= 80.00m
• Vertex Ch.= 1356.00m
• Degree of curve = 5.80º (R=1750/5.8=301.724m)
• ‘S’= l 2/24R= 0.883m
• TL (Tangent Length) =(R +S) tan Δ/2 + l /2= 401.059m
Ch of T1 = 1356.00 - 401.059 = 954.941 m
• ‘CCL’ = π R Δ /180 + l = 606.958 m
• Length of circular curve ‘J1 to J2’ = CCL - 2 l
= 446.958 m
 Calculations Contd…
• Ch. Of T2 = Ch of T1 + CCL = 1561.899 m
• Ch of Apex. ( Mid pt. of circular curve) = Ch of
T1 + CCL/2 = 1258.420 m
• Ch. Of J2 = Ch of Apex + Length Circular curve/2
= 1481.899 m
Ch. Of T2 = Ch. Of J2 + l = 1561.899 m
( This should match with Ch of T1+CCL)
Vertex distt. = (R+S) Sec Δ/2 - R = 169.375m
 Field Layout
• Formation of Vertex :- Prolong the both straights
from available references and form the vertex (Point
of intersection - I).
• With theodolite at one straight, mark two points app
2 m apart near probable apex.
• Keep theodolite on another straight and extend the
same and find ‘I’ .
( Practically a thread is held across both points
marked earlier on previous straight.
• This point is Point of intersection - I.
 Field Layout Contd…
 Measure the deflection angle Δ by stationing theodolite at
I.
 To check accuracy of chaining etc. keep theodolite at T1
and measure angle IT1T2 and this should be equal to angle
Δ /2.
 Locate Apex of curve by keeping theodolite at I and
measuring half of included angle (90- Δ /2 ) from one of
tangent and fixing the point by chaining equal to vertex
distt from point I. (This point is good check while laying
curve as mid point)
 Field Layout Contd…

• Laying of transition curve: by theodolite method:-

• Set the theodolite at T1 and set o-o reading towards I.
• For locating first point P1 set angle ά1 =
573(x1)²/R l (in Minutes)
= 573(20) ²/(301.724x80) = 9.49 min = 0º9’29” and measure
distt. of 20m from T1.
 Field Layout Contd…

distance R l ά(in minutes)

20 301.724 80 9.50

40 301.724 80 37.98

60 301.724 80 85.46

80 301.724 80 151.93
Distance x to be measured from T1 only.
 Field Layout Contd…

• By offset method also transition curve can be laid:-

• Offset from tangent y = x³/6Rl in meters
• Check for J1 offset = 4S
• Laying of circular curve:-
• Set the theodolite at J1 .
• Establish a common tangent by setting an angle equal to
twice of deflection at J1 (2ά4) = 5º3’51” from line T1J1
 3 α say = Ø

Establishing a common tangent

 Field Layout Contd…
• For locating point on circular curve with Rankein’s
deflection angle method:-
• δ = 1718.9 * C / R in minutes.
• By measuring angle δ1 from common tangent (T1J1) and
distance C from J1 fix first point P1.
• Δ1= δ1
• Δ2=Δ1+ δ1
• Δ3=Δ2+ δ1
• Fix different points on circular curve by measuring Δ1,Δ2
&Δ3…….etc. and fixing points P1/P2 & P3 …etc at distance
from each consecutive point equal to ‘C=25m” or so.
 Field Layout Contd…
• All angles to be measured from common tangent only.
• For longer curves to avoid error circular portion to be
laid in four parts - from J1 and further, From Apex
towards J1 , From Apex towards J2 and from J2 towards
Apex.
• or at convenient points common tangent be established
and curve laid further w.r.t common tangent.
• To establish common tangent at apex set theodolite at
Apex see vertex and set 90º angle.
Deflection angles for different points.
P1 2º22'25" From J1 –P1 25m
P2 4º44'50" From P1 –P2 25m
P3 7º7'16" From P2 –P3 25m
P4 9º29'41" From P3 –P4 25m
P5 11º52'7" From P4 –P5 25m
P6 14º14'32" From P5 –P6 25m
P7 16º36'57" From P6 –P7 25m
P8 18º59'23" From P7 –P8 25m
P9 21º21'48" From P8 –P9 25m
Deflection angles for different points.