1

T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
www.usq.edu.au
Curves
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Circular Curve
Basic geometry used for computations
Key elements
Intersection Point (IP) or sometimes call (PI)
Arc Length (Arc)
Chord Length
Tangent length (T) and tangent point (TP)
Secant
2
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Horizontal Curve
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Types of Curves
Simple circular
Two straights joined by
circular curve
3
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Types of Curves
Compound Curve
Two or more contiguous
curves, in the same
direction, with curves of
different radii
Avoid if possible
Keep design speeds
similar
Adjust superelevation to
keep constant f
Radii should not differ by
more than 50%
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Types of Curves
Broken Back Curve
Two curves joined by
short straight
Not desirable
Short straight should be a
maximum of 0.6V where
V in km/hr ie about two
seconds of travel
enable maintenance of
superelevation
Normally try to keep
straight longer 4V
4
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Types of Curves
Reverse Curve
Incorporated to fit the
terrain
Avoid common tangent
points
Allow sufficient length
between curves for
change in superelevation
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Calculating Chainage around Curve
5
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Calculating Chainage around Curve
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Example for you
1. Determine the radius of curve (R) given a
design (operating) speed of 100 km/hr and
maximum superelevation of 5%. Round the
radius up to the nearest 10m.
2. If the curve is to be placed on a horizontal
alignment that has an intersection angle of 35
o
and chainage of 2507.56 at the IP then
determine the chainages of TP1 and TP2.
6
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Firstly Compute R
R
min
= V
2
/127 (e
max
+ f
max
)
For desirable minimum use desirable
maximum for side friction
So R
min
= 100
2
/127 (0.05
max
+ 0.12
max
)
= 10000/ (127*0.17)
= 463.177m
Round up to 470m
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Now compute chainages
1. Tangent Length = R tan (I/2)
= 470 * tan (35/2)
= 148.190m
2. Ch TP1 = 2507.56 148.190 = 2359.370
3. Compute Arc = R*I (in radians)
= 470*35*PI/180 = 287.107
4. Compute TP2 = TP1 + Arc = 2359.37 + 287.107
= 2646.477