8/5/2019 Compound and Reversed Curves | Surveying and Transportation Engineering Review

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Compound and
Reversed Curves
Compound Curves
A compound curve consists of two (or more) circular curves between two main tangents joined at point of compound curve (PCC). Curve at PC is designated as 1 (R1, L1,
T1, etc) and curve at PT is designated as 2 (R2, L2, T2, etc).

Elements of compound curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PI = point of intersection

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8/5/2019 Compound and Reversed Curves | Surveying and Transportation Engineering Review
PCC = point of compound curve
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
L = length of long chord from PC to PT
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from V1 to V2
θ = 180° - I
x and y can be found from triangle V1-V2-PI.
L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Sta PT = Sta PC + Lc1 + Lc2

Given the stationing of PI

Sta PT = Sta PI − x − T 1 + Lc1 + Lc2

Reversed Curve
Reversed curve, though pleasing to the eye, would bring discomfort to motorist running at design speed. The instant change in direction at the PRC brought some safety
problems. Despite this fact, reversed curves are being used with great success on park roads, formal paths, waterway channels, and the like.

Elements of Reversed Curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PRC = point of reversed curvature
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from V1 to V2

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8/5/2019 Compound and Reversed Curves | Surveying and Transportation Engineering Review
Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Sta PT = Sta PC + Lc1 + Lc2

Given the stationing of V1

Sta PT = Sta V 1 − T 1 + Lc1 + Lc2

Reversed Curve for Nonparallel Tangents

The following figure is an example reversed curves of unequal radii connecting non-parallel tangents.

Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents

The figure below is an example of reversed curves of unequal radii connecting two parallel roads.

Tags: circular road

horizontal curve
road
circular curve
parallel tangents
compound curves
reversed curves
non-parallel tangents

Reversed Curve to Connect Three Traversed Lines

‹ Problem 03 - Simple Curve up Reversed Curve to Connect Three Traversed Lines ›

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8/5/2019 Compound and Reversed Curves | Surveying and Transportation Engineering Review

Surveying and Transportation Engineering

Simple Curves
Compound and Reversed Curves
Reversed Curve to Connect Three Traversed Lines
Spiral Curve
Parabolic Curve
Inner Circle Reading of the Double Vernier of a Transit

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