Spiral Curve

Spirals are used to overcome the abrupt change in curvature and superelevation that
occurs between tangent and circular curve. The spiral curve is used to gradually change
the curvature and superelevation of the road, thus called transition curve.

Elements of Spiral Curve p = Length of throw or the distance from

tangent that the circular curve has been offset
X = Offset distance (right angle distance) from
TS = Tangent to spiral
tangent to any point on the spiral
SC = Spiral to curve
Xc = Offset distance (right angle distance) from
CS = Curve to spiral tangent to SC
ST = Spiral to tangent Y = Distance along tangent to any point on the
LT = Long tangent spiral
ST = Short tangent Yc = Distance along tangent from TS to point at
R = Radius of simple curve right angle to SC
Ts = Spiral tangent distance Es = External distance of the simple curve
Tc = Circular curve tangent = Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the
L = Length of spiral from TS to any point along spiral
the spiral s = Spiral angle from tangent to SC
Ls = Length of spiral i = Deflection angle from TS to any point on the
PI = Point of intersection spiral, it is proportional to the square of its
I = Angle of intersection distance
Ic = Angle of intersection of the simple curve
is = Deflection angle from TS to SC
D = Degree of spiral curve at any point
Dc = Degree of simple curve
Formulas for Spiral Curves
A spiral curve having a length of 100m is to be laid out
in a certain portion of road. The degree of the central
EXERCISES
curve is 6 degrees.
1. What is the length of the long tangent of a spiral
1. Find the offset distance at the first quarter
easement curve if the spiral angle at SC is 12
point of spiral.
3600 3600 degrees and the offset distance at SC is 8.4m?
= = = 190.99 Distance along the tangent is 79.62m.
() (6)

3 253 2. The length of throw of a spiral is 1.42m. What is the

1 = = = 0.14 corresponding offset distance at SC?
6 6(190.99)(100)

2. Determine the spiral angle at the third quarter 3. An 80m spiral curve connects the central curve of
point of spiral. radius 200m. Determine the spiral angle at SC.
2 180 752 180
= ( )= ( ) 4. The radius of the interior curve of a spiral easement
2 2(190.99)(100)
= 8.43 curve is 190m. If the length of the spiral is 80 m and
3. Compute the maximum speed of the car that the length of the throw is 2.3m, determine the
could pass through the spiral without skidding. external distance if the angle of intersection of the
0.036 3 0.036 3 tangents is 42 degrees.
= ; 100 =
(190.99)
= 80.95

UNSYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE

1 2
= ( + 2 )
2(1 + 2) 1

3 (1 + 2 ) = 1 1 + 2 2
 Determine the ff:

1. location of the summit from PT.

3 (1 + 2 ) = 1 1 + 2 2

3 (80 + 110) = +4.2(80) 3.4(110)

3 = 0.20%

80
= ; = 76.36
4.2 0.2

Location fro PT = 110+80-x= 113.64m

2. Stationing of the summit.

Sta. HP = Sta. V L1+X
Sta. HP = 4+456.36

An unsymmetrical parabolic curve connects a +4.2% 3. elevation of the summit.

grade and a -3.4% grade. The length of curve on the left Elev summit = Elev V L(g) +Area of triangle
side of the vertex is 80m and 110m on the other side. if Elev Summit = 145.2 80(.042)+.5*76.36*.042
the stationing of the point of intersection is 4+460 and
its elev is 145.2 m. Elev summit = 143.44m

Exercise

A vertical highway curve has an approach grade of +7% meeting -4% grade at the vertex. it is required to connect the
two tangents with unsymmetrical vertical parabolic curve. the curve has an offset of 1.32m directly below the
intersection of the tangents. locate the position of the summit from the PC. the vertical curve has a length of 60m on the
side of the PC and 40m from the side of the PT.