Curves

Introduction
Arc of finite radius
Introduced when two straight lines (with
different direction) need to be
joined/connected.
Applied in the highway/railway (Routes).
Make vehicle to move comfortably and
safely, avoiding the sudden change in the
route.
…Introduction
 …Introduction
Types:
Horizontal
-Applied in the horizontal plane
Vertical
-Applied in the vertical plane
Horizontal:
Simple Circular Curve
Compound Curve
Reverse Curve
Transition Curve
Combined Curve
Broken Back Curve
 …Introduction
Simple Circular Curves
• Connects two intersection straight lines
• Consists of a single arc of a circle
i.e. the curve has constant radius
• The curve is tangential to the connected
straight lines at the joining points

R
R R
 …Introduction
Compound Curve
• Combination of two or more simple
circular curves in the same direction with
different radii

R1
R2
 …Introduction
Reverse Curve
• Combination of two or more simple
circular curves in the opposite direction
with same or different radii
• Also known as serpentine curve

O2

R2

R1

O1
 …Introduction
Transition Curve
• Introduced between simple circular curve and
straight line or between two simple circular
curves
• With varying radius
• Provides a gradual change from straight line to
the circular curve and vice versa
• Also known as easement curve R
R
R

Transition Curve
 …Introduction
Combined Curve
• Combination of simple circular curves and
transition curve
Broken back curve
• Two circular curves, having centers in the
same side, connected with a tangent
Tangent

R2
R1
Simple Circular Curves
I’

I
Δ

T1 T2
D

A B
Δ/2
Δ

O
 …Simple Circular Curves
Basic Definitions
i. Point of Intersection (I): The point where the
two straight lines meet, also known as vertex
ii. Back Tangent: The tangent line before the
beginning of the curve (AT1)
iii. Forward Tangent: The tangent line after the end
of the curve (T2B)
iv. Deflection Angle(Δ): The external angle between
two straight lines (∟I’IT2)
v. Angle of Intersection(θ): The internal angle
between two straight lines (∟T1IT2)
The sum of Δ and θ is 180º.
 …Simple Circular Curves
vi. Point of Curvature: Point on the back tangent at
the beginning of the curve, also known as tangent-
curve point (T1)
vii. Point of Tangency: Point on the forward tangent at
the end of the curve, also known as curve-tangent
point (T2)
viii. Tangent Length: Distance between the point of
curvature to the point of intersection; also the
distance between the point of intersection to the
point of tangency (T1I, IT2)
ix. Length of the Curve: Total length of the curve
between point of curvature and point of tangency
(T1CT2)
 …Simple Circular Curves
i. Apex of the Curve: The mid point of the curve,
also known as the summit of the curve (C)
ii. Long Chord: Chord of the circular curve joining
the point of curvature(T1) and point of
tangency(T2) (T1DT2)
xii. Mid Ordinate: The distance between the apex of
the curve (C) and mid point (D) of the long
chord, also known as versine of the curve; (DC)
xiii. External Distance: Distance between the point
of Intersection (I) and apex of the curve (C), also
known as apex distance; (IC)
Designation of a Curve
 Designated by two ways:
By radius (R)
By degree of curvature (D)
 Degree of curvature is the angle subtended at the
center by an arc or chord of specified length(l).
 According to arc definition, the degree of curve is
defined as the central angle subtended by an arc of
20m or 30m length.
 According to the chord definition, the degree of
curve is defined as the central angle subtended by a
chord of 20m or 30m length.
 …Designation of a Curve
Relation between Degree and Radius of Curve
Arc Definition:
30 = RXD (θ = l/r) D in radian
30 = RXDX(π /1800) D in Degree
D = 1718.87/R D
Chord Definition:
Sin(D/2) = 15/R
D/2 X π /1800 = 15/R (For small angle Sin(D/2) =
D/2radians)
D = 1718.87/R
Elements
Length of Curve (l):
T1CT2(l)
 ; Δ is in radian
R

l  R l
R ; Δ is in degree
180
Tangent Length (T): tan(Δ/2) = T/R T = R tan(Δ/2)

Length of long chord (L): sin(Δ/2) = T1D/OT1

Therefore, L = 2T1D = 2R sin(Δ/2)


Apex Distance (External Distance): E=IO–CO =R sec(Δ/2) – R= R (sec

Δ/2 – 1)

Mid-ordinate(M): M = OC – OD = R – R cos Δ/2 = R(1-cos Δ/2)