ROUTE SURVEY

Horizontal Curves

Text book:
Elementary Surveying, Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R. Wolf. 15th Edition, Prentice Hall,2018.

Reference book:
Surveying by Francis H. Moffitt/ Harry Bouchard.
Surveying with Construction Applications by Barry F. Kavanagh.

By: Ms.Zaidi
 Horizontal Curves

• Curves used in horizontal planes to connect

two straight tangent sections are called
horizontal curves.

• -Circular curves
• -Spiral Curves
• Simple Curve
Circular arc connecting two
tangents.
Most often used.

• Compound Curves
Two or more circular arcs of different
radii tangent to each other with their
centers on the same side of
alignment.
Mostly used in exit and entrance
ramps.
 • Broken-Back Curves
The combination of short length of
tangent(less than 100ft) connecting
two circular arcs that have centers on
the same side.

Reverse Curves
It consist of two circular
arcs tangent to each other
with their centers on
opposite sides of the
alignment.
A tangent should be placed
between reverse Curves.

• Compound, broken-back and reverse curves are unsuitable for modern high speed
highways, rapid transit and railroad traffic and should be avoided if possible.

• It is better to replace the Curves with a larger radius circular curve.

• Necessary in mountainous terrain to avoid excessive grades or very deep cuts and
fills.
Spirals are typically placed
between tangents and
circular curves to provide a
transition from a normal
crown section to a
superelevated one.
Spirals are typically
used at intersections
to increase the room
for large trucks to
make turning
movements.
• PC: point of curvature(B.C.)
• PT: point of tangency (E.C.)
• PI: point of intersection(V)
• L=long chord
• Lc=length of curve
• Δ=Intersection angle: central angle subtended by
arc
• E=External: length from PI to the curve midpoint
• M=Middle ordinate: distance from the midpoint of
the long chord to the midpoint of the curve.
• Degree of Curve
(Arc Definition)

• Degree of Curve
( chord Definition)
Angle substended by 100ft chord
 Elements of Circular Curve
Length of Curve(Lc)
LC = T1 GT2

--------------Equation (1)

Tangent Length (traingle OT1 V)

T = length T1 V = length T2 V

--------------Equation(2)

Length of the long chord (L)( triangle OT1 F)

L = length T1 FT2

--------------Equation(3)
 Elements of Curve
External distance (E) (triangle
OT1V :
Cos Δ/2= R/(E+R)

E = length VG= VO - GO

--------------Equation (4)

Mid-ordinate (M) (triangle OT1

F) : Cos Δ/2= OF/R

M = length GF = OG-OF

--------------Equation (5)
 Elements of Curve

Chainages of tangent point :

The chainage of the point of intersection (V) is generally known.

Thus, Chainage of T1 = Chainage of V - tangent length (T) --------------Equation (6)

Chainage of T2 = Chainage of T1 + length of curve (LC) --------------Equation (7)

• Assume that Δ= 8degree 24 min, the station of PI
is 64+27.46 and terrain conditions require the
min radius permitted by the specification of
2864.79ft(arc definition).calculate PC and PT
stationing and the external and middle ordinate
distances for this curve.
– Calculate= Lc=420ft
– D=2degree
– T= 210.38ft
– PC and PT Stationing.
• PC: PI(64+27.46)-T(2+10.38)
• PT:PC(62+17.08+Lc(4+20.00)
– L=419.62
– E=7.71ft
– M=7.69ft
Example Problem
A tangent with a bearing of N 56° 48’ 20” E meets another tangent with a bearing of N 40° 10’
20” E at PI STA 6 + 263.57. A horizontal curve with radius = 300 m will be used to connect the
two tangents. Compute the degree of curvature, tangent distance, length of curve, chord
distance, middle ordinate, external distance, PC and PT Stations.
Solution:
Δ = 56048’ 20” - 40° 10’ 20” = 16038’ 00”
D = 1718/R = 1719/300 = 5043’ 46”
L = πR Δ/180= 3.142 x 300 x 16.63333/180= 87.10 m
T = R tan (Δ /2) = 300 tan (16.63333/2) = 43.85 m
LC = 2R sin (Δ /2) = 2(300) sin (16.63333/2) = 85.23 m
E = R [ 1/cos (Δ /2) -1 ] = 300 [ 1/(cos 16.63333/2) – 1 ] = 3.19 m
M = R [ 1 – cos (Δ /2) ] = 300 [ 1 – cos (16.63333/2) ] = 3.15 m
PC=PI-T=6263.57-43.85=6219.72=6+219.72 m
PT=PI+Lc=6263.57+ 85.23 =6348.80= 6348.80 m
 General procedures of circular curve
layout
• Deflection angles and chords(standard
method)
• Tangent offsets
• Chord offsets
• Middle ordinates
• Other method
– Coordinate method
– Ordinates from long chord.
 Computing sub deflection angle and sub chord
• Sub deflection angle(δa):
da/Sa=D/100
da=SaxD /100
(-here da=2X δ a)
So,
δa =Sa x(D/200) -----[in degree]
δa =0.3x Sa xD -----[in minutes]
OR
• da/Ca= Δ/Lc
da=Δx Ca/Lc-------eq2
(-here da=2Xϭa) So,
Ϭa=Ca x Δ /2xLc
• Length of subchord:
Sin δa = (Ca/2R) *Da=defelection angle at curve length of Sa
Ca= 2R x Sin δa *Ϭa=Da/2
Ca=Sub chord
Setting Out circular curve by Deflection Angle
with incremental Chord

Deflection Angle, δa = Sin-1(ca/2R)

Total deflection angle=Δ/2

 Curve Layout by Deflection Angles
Problem
The centre-line of two straights is projected forward to meet at I, the tangent deflection
angle being 300. If the straight ways are to be connected by a circular curve of radius 200
m, tabulate all the setting-out data, assuming 20-m chords on a through chainage basis,
the chainage of Δ being 2+259.59 .
 Setting Out By Offsets With Deflection Angle

Solution :

1. Tangent length = R (tan θ/2)

= 200 tan 15°= 53.59 m

2. Chainage of T1 = Chainage of I – Tangent Length

= 2255.59 - 53.59= 2202 m

3. Length of circular arc (L) = RπΔ/180°

= 200(π)(300)/180= 104.72 m

4. Chainage of T2 = Chainage of T1 + Length of circular arc

= 2202 m + 104.72 m = 2306.72 m
 Solution
Chord length Curve Deflection Setting-out angle
Chord
Chainage Remarks
number Sum successive
ca δa=Sin-1(ca/2R)
angle
(m) (m) d m s d m s

1 2202. 00 0 0 00 00 0 00 00 T1

2 2220.00 18 2 34 43 2 34 43 Peg 1

3 2240.00 20 2 51 53 5 26 36 Peg 2

4 2260.00 20 2 51 53 8 18 29 Peg 3

5 2280.00 20 2 51 53 11 10 22 Peg 4

6 2300.00 20 2 51 53 14 2 15 Peg 5

7 2306.72 6.72 0 57 45 T2

Check: Last data of setting out angle = Δ/2 = 15°

 Setting Out With Deflection Angle

Example :

The centre-line of two straights is projected forward to meet at I, the tangent

deflection angle being 30°. If the straight ways are to be connected by a circular curve
of radius 200 m, tabulate all the setting-out data, assuming 20-m chords on a through
chainage basis, the chainage of I being 2259.59 m.
I
2259.59m θ = 30º

α2
α1
A B C

T1 T2
 Setting Out By Offsets With Deflection Angle
Solution :

1. Tangent length = R (tan θ/2)

= 200 tan 15°
= 53.59 m

2. Chainage of T1 = Chainage of I – Tangent Length

= 2255.59 - 53.59
= 2202 m

3. Length of circular arc (L) = Rπθ/180°

= 200(π)(30°)/180
= 104.72 m

4. Chainage of T2 = Chainage of T1 + Length of circular arc

= 2202 m + 104.72 m
= 2306.72 m
 Setting Out With Curve Deflection Angle
Solution :
1718.9 (c/R) / 60
5. Table of tabulation setting out data
Chord Chord Chainage (m) Curve Deflection angle Setting-out angle Remarks
number length (c ) o,„ o,„

T1 0 2202. 00 0 00 00 + 0 00 00 T1
A 18 2220.00 2 34 45 = 2 34 45 peg 1
+
B 20 2240.00 2 51 57 = 5 26 42 peg 2
C 20 2260.00 2 51 57 8 18 39 peg 3
D 20 2280.00 2 51 57 11 10 36 peg 4
E 20 2300.00 2 51 57 14 02 33 peg 5
T2 6.72 2306.72 0 57 45 15 0 18 T2

Check: Last data of setting out angle = θ/2 = 15° 0' 18“15°
Compound curves
R1 and R2 are usually known.

  1   2
1
t1  R1 tan
2
2
t 2  R2 tan
2
VG VH t1  t 2 t t
   1 2
sin  2 sin 1 sin( 180  ) sin 
T1  V G  t1
T2  V H  t 2

R1 R 2
L1 
180
L2 
180
Compute the parameter for compound
curve
Given with the following elements of compound curve:
Δ=110
Δ1=70
PI=15+00
R1=300’
R2=800’
Compute the other elements of compound curve.
L1 L2 T1 T2 t1, t2 , PC and PT
 Solution
Δ=110
Δ1=70,
Δ2 =40
PI =15+00
T1 =210’
T2 =291.17’
VG =342
VH =501.17
L1=366.5’
T1 =t1+VG=552’ L2=558.5’
T2 =t2+VH=792.34’

PC =PI-T1=15+00-552= 9+48
PT = 9+48+Lc
= 9+48+(L1+L2)
=18+73
 Reverse curves
Reverse curves are seldom recommended. They are absolutely NOT
recommended for high-speed roads. For high-speed roads, we must provide
a tangent section that will allow full development of superelevation at both
ends.
Avoid due to Dicomfort and safety
 Reverse curves
Reverse curves usually consist of two simple curves with equal radii turning in
opposite directions with a common tangent.
  1   2
1 
angleOWX  
2 2
1  2
angleOYZ  
2 2
Remember that
the deflection
angle is one-half of
the central angle?
P  y1  y 2

y1  ( R1  R1 cos  )
y 2  ( R 2  R 2 cos  )

P  R1  R1 cos   R 2  R 2 cos 
 ( R1  R 2)  cos  ( R1  R 2)
 ( R1  R 2)(1  cos  )
X  x1  x 2

x1  R1Sin
x 2  R 2 Sin

X  R1Sin  R 2 Sin
 Sin ( R1  R 2)
 Reverse curves
  ? andL  ?
Given : D1  8, D 2  10, P  900 ft
Sol :
calculate
R1, R 2

Calculate
1), from : P
2) L
 • A horizontal curve is to be run through a point
A, from the PI, the distance to point A is 100ft
and the angle from the back tangent to a line is
100ft and the angle from the back tangent to a
line from the PI to a point A is 35° 10’. If Δ=65
°10’. Determine R, D T and L.
Solution:
Step 1: Calculate x and y of A-PI
Step 2:Use PGT(triangle ABC) to calculate R
Use higher value of R
 Background-super elevation
• To avoid the skiding of vehicle on horizontal
curve at high speed.
• Factors effecting are radius of curvature and
velocity of vehicle
• To stablize the radius and velocity two factors
may help:
– Side friction(between tire and the pavement)
– Super elevation (e)-banking of the pavement
• What is Superelevation in Highway
Engineering?
• To counter-act the effect of centrifugal force
and reduce the tendency of vehicle to
overturn and to skid laterally outwards,
pavement outer edge is raised with respect to
inner edge. Thus, providing a transverse slope
is known as Super elevation. It is represented
by “ e ”.
 Super elevation
Raising of outer edge of a road with respect to
inner edge to counteract centrifugal force

Forcing acting
on vehicle :
Ff=μW
Fc=mv2/R

W=mg
 Analysis of superelevation
Let us say Design speed = V ft/s; Radius = R ft

Various forces acting on the vehicle:

Σ Fx=0

Wp+Ff=Fc 𝜃

W sin θ+ Ff cosθ = Fccosθ

Divide by cosθ W

W tan θ+ Ff = Fc Here ,
𝑚𝑉 2
We = Fc- Ff --------(1) 𝐹𝑐 =
𝑅
tan θ= θ=e for
small angles And 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑊
 𝑚𝑉 2
We = 𝑅
− 𝜇W

Dividing the equation by W

𝑉2
e= 𝑔𝑅
− 𝜇------eq(2)

OR

𝑉 2 -------eq(3)
R=
𝑔(𝜇+𝑒)
 Example
• A roadway is being designed for a speed of
70mph. At one horizontal curve, it is known
that the superelevation is 0.08 and the
coefficient of side friction is 0.10. Determine
the minimum radius of curve(measured to the
traveled vehicle path that will provide for safe
vehicle operation).
R=??
Sol:
 70 𝑥1.47 2
𝑅=
32.2 0.1 + 0.08

R=1826.85ft
Vertical Curves
 Profiles:
Curve a: Crest Vertical Curve (concave downward)
Curve b: Sag Vertical Curve (concave upward)

Tangents: Constant Grade (Slope)

 Parameters of Vertical Curve
BVC: Beginning of Vertical Curve PVC
V: Vertex PVI
EVC: End of Vertical Curve PVT
g1: percent grade of back tangent
g2: percent grade of forward tangent
L: curve length (horizontal distance) in feet or stations
x: horizontal distance from any point on the curve to the BVC
(g2-g1)/L: rate of change of grade ( A/L)
 −− −𝐸𝑞 𝐴

The slope of this curve at any point is the fist derivative that will be :
𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 −− −eq (1)
𝑑𝑥

And the rate of change of slope is given by second derivative:

𝑑2𝑦
= 2a −− −eq (2)
𝑑𝑥2
VALUE OF constant a:
From eq(2),
𝑔2−𝑔1
The rate of change of slope : 2a , which is equal to 𝐿

𝑔2−𝑔1
Equating , 2𝑎 = 𝐿
𝑔2 − 𝑔1
𝑎= −−−− −𝑒𝑞 (𝑎)
2𝐿
Value of constant b:
at x axis which is the start of curve(@BVC), the value of slope is
g1.and the value of x distance =ZERO,
From eq (1):

𝑑𝑦
= 𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝑔1 and x=0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 −− −eq (1)
𝑑𝑥

𝑔1 = 2𝑎(0)𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑏 = 𝑔1 −− −𝑒𝑞(𝑏)

Value of constant c:
C is the y-intercept. As the curve starts with an elevation of Y(BVC), it is
equal to the y-intercept, i.e.
𝑐 = 𝑌𝐵𝑉𝐶 −− −eq(c)
From eq(a), eq(b) and eq(c),
Eq (A) for calculating the elevation ‘y ‘ at distance x is:

𝑌 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

(𝑔2 − 𝑔1) 2
𝑦= 𝑥 + 𝑔1𝑥 + 𝑌𝐵𝑉𝐶
2𝐿
 High and low point on vertical curve
X is the distance from BVC to the high or low point.
Value of x from eq(a)

𝑑𝑦
eq(b)------- = 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑑𝑥

At low or high point the tangent line is horizontal and at

horizontal line the slope is ZERO.

𝑑𝑦
=0
𝑑𝑥
2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0
𝑏
𝑥=−
2𝑎
Equal-Tangent Vertical Parabolic Curve:
 Equations:
r = (g2 – g1)/L
where:
g2 & g1 - in percent (%)
L – in stations
and
Y = YBVC + g1x + (r/2)x2
where:
YBVC – elevation of the BVC in feet
Example: Equal-Tangent Vertical Curve
Given the information show below, compute and tabulate the
curve for stakeout at full 100’ stations.
 Solution:
EVC= BVC +L
THEREFORE
L = 4970 – 4370 = 600’

We know that a = (g2 – g1) / 2L

a = (-2.4/100 – 3/100)/ 2x 600=
a =- 0.000045; b=g1→b=0.03
c=ypvc →c=Elev at PVC=844.48
ElevBVC = ElevPVI – g1 (L/2) = 853.48 – 3.00 (3) = 844.48’
ElevEVC = ElevPVI – g2 (L/2) = 853.48 – 2.40 (3) = 846.28 ’
 Solution:
y= ax2+bx+c
Station x a x2 bx c Curve Elevation
43 + 70 BVC 0 0 0 844.48
844.48
44 + 00 30 -0.0405 0.9 844.48
845.34
45 + 00 130 -0.7605 3.9 844.48
847.62
46 + 00 230 -2.3805 6.9 844.48
849.00
47 +
00(X=approx.high 330 -4.9005 9.9 844.48
849.48
point on curve)
48 + 00 430 -8.3205 12.9 844.48
849.06
49 + 00 530 -12.6405 15.9 844.48
847.74
49 + 70 EVC 600 -16.2 18 844.48
846.28
It is sometime important to calculate the elevation of the curve’s center
point.This can be done using X=L/2:
𝑦𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑦𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 0.0000405 300 2 + 3% 300 + 844.48
𝑦𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 849.48ft
CHECK:
This can be checked by employing the property of a parabolic curve that the
curve center falls halfway between the vertex and the midpoint of the long
chord.
The elevation of the midpoint of the long chord is simply average of elevations
(BVC and EVC):
844.48 + 846.28
𝑌𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝐿𝐶 = = 845.38ft
2
And the elevation of PVI=853.48ft
Taking the average: 𝑦𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 849.48ft (CHECK)
 High and Low Points on Vertical Curves
Sag Curves:
Low Point defines location of catch basin for drainage.
Crest Curves:
High Point defines limits of drainage area for roadways.
Also used to determine or set elevations based on minimum clearance
requirements.
−𝑔1
Computed by : x=
2𝑎

𝑋 2
By property of parabolic curve: Offset x= E 𝐿
2

Here E=difference in elevation of PVI and Y midpoint.

 Spiral Curves
 A Spiral is a curve with a uniformly changing radius.
 Used in highway and railroad alignment to overcome the
abrupt change in direction that occur from tangent to a
circular curve.
 The length of the spiral curve is also used for the transition
from normally crowned pavement to fully super elevated
(banked) pavement.
Spirals are typically placed
between tangents and
circular curves to provide a
transition from a normal
crown section to a
superelevated one.
Spirals are typically
used at intersections to
increase the room for
large trucks to make
turning movements.
 An Euler spiral is a curve whose curvature changes linearly with its curve
Spiral Curve
length Euler spirals are also commonly referred to as spiros, clothoids, or Cornu
spirals .

A transition curve is sometimes used in horizontal alignment design

It is used to provide a gradual transition between tangent sections and circular curve sections.
Different types of transition curve may be used but the most common is the Euler Spiral.

Properties of Euler Spiral

(reference: Surveying: Principles and Applications, Kavanagh and Bird, Prentice Hall]
Tangent to Spiral:
Ts= 𝑅 + 𝑃 tan Δ/2 + 𝑞
Spiral Tangent Deflection:
Δs=LsD/2000
Total Length of Spiral:
L=Lc+2Ls
Total Deflection:
Δ= Δc+2 Δs
Spiral deflection:
θs=Δs/3
Length of Curve:
Lc=(2πRΔc)/360---for foot or meter units
Lc=100 Δc/D---- for foot units
Δs=(90xLs)/(πR)
 Characteristics of Euler Spiral

• Degree of Curvature of a spiral at any point is proportional to its length at that point
• The spiral curve is defined by ‘k’ the rate of increase in degree of curvature per station
(100 ft)
In other words,

k = 100 D/ Ls
 Central (or Deflection) Angle of Euler Spiral

As with circular curve the central angle is also important for spiral
Recall for circular curve

Δc = Lc D / 100
But for spiral

Δs = Ls D / 200

The total deflection angle for a spiral/circular

curve system is

Δ = Δc + 2 Δs
 Length of Euler Spiral/Spiral Curve

Note: The total length of curve (circular plus spirals) is longer than the original
circular curve by one spiral leg
 Example Calculation – Spiral and Circular Curve

The central angle for a curve is 24 degrees -

the radius of the circular curve selected for
the location is 1000 ft.

Determine the length of the curve (with no spiral)

L = 100 Δ / D or
L = Δ R / 57.30 = 24*1000/57.30 = 418.8 ft

R = 5730 / D >> D = 5.73 degree