C h a p t e r 1 - Simple Curves | 1

CHAPTER 1

SIMPLE CURVE

INTRODUCTION
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ROUTE SURVEYS

- are surveys, made for the purpose of locating any buildings, highways,
canals, power transmission lines, pipe lines and other utilities which are
constructed for purposes of transportation or communication

AN OUTLNE OF TYPICAL SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS IN ROUTE SURVEYING

1. RECONNAISSANCE
a. General routes are selected and vertical controls are established
b. Reconnaissance report is made accompanying a reconnaissance maps
2. PRELIMINARY SURVEY
a. There are survey parties that executes this phase of work
1. Transit Party
- Runs the traverse
2. Level Party
- Sets bench marks and determines the profile
3. Topographic Party
- Runs the cross sectioning work
b. A preliminary map is prepared for determination of possible cost of project
3. LOCATION SURVEY
a. Five survey team must go out in the field
1. Transit Party
- Stakes the location of circular curve with proper stationing
2. Level Party
- Checks the selected bench mark and execute the profile work
3. Cross Section Party
- Slope stake are set on the ground
-
4. Landline Party
- Property lines and other important details are indicated on the
plan
5. Special Team
- Takes care of the special survey for structure
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b. All survey mark are consolidated with the following prepared

1. Location Map
2. Location Profile
3. Cross Section
4. Earthwork Estimates
5. Right of Way Maps
6. Structure Maps and Plans

SIMPLE CURVES
- Is a circular arc extending from one tangent to the next

ELEMENTS OF A SIMPLE CURVE

1. Point of Curvature (P.C.)

- Point where the curve leaves the first tangent
2. Point of Tangency
- Point where the curve joins the second tangent
3. Tangent Points
- P.C. & P.T.
4. Vertex
- A point of intersection on of the two tangent (P.C. and P. T.)
5. Tangent Distance
- Distance from the vertex to the P.C. and P.T.
6. External Distance
- Distance from the vertex to the curve (measured towards the center of
curvature)
7. Middle Ordinate
- Line joining the middle of curvature and the middle of the chord

GEOMETRY OF THE CIRCULAR CURVE

1. An inscribed angle is measured by one half its intercepted arc

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<ABC = <AOB

2. Inscribed angles having the same or equal intercepted arcs are equal

3. A
n
angle formed a tangent and a chord is measured by one half its intercepted arc
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4. Tangents from an external point of a circle are equal

5. Angles whose sides are perpendicular to each are either equal or supplementary
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<ABC = <FED

SHARPNESS OF THE CURVE

1. Degree of the Curve: Arc Basis

- Is the angle at the center subtended by an arc of 20m is the metric system of
100 ft. in English system
- Method generally used in highway practice

a. Metric System

By Ratio and Proportion

20 2
=
360
20 (360)
=
2
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1145.916
=

b. English System

By Ratio and Proportion

100 2
=
360

100 (360)
=
2

5729.58
=

(5 times the metric system)

2. Degree of the Curve: Chord Basis

- An angle subtended by a chord of 20m in a metric system or 100ft in English
system

a. Metric System
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! !"
sin !
= !

!"
R= !
!"#
!

b. English System

3. Radius
- Length of radius is stated

ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

P.C. = Point of Curvature

P.T. = Point of Tangency
P.I. = Point of Intersection
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R = Radius of Curve
D = Degree of the Curve
T = Tangent Distance
I = Angle of Intersection
E = External Distance
M = Middle Ordinate
Lc = Length of Curve
C = Long Chord
C1 and C2 = Subchord
D1 and D2 = Subangle

1. Tangent Distance
! !
Tan ! = !
!
T= R tan !
2. External Distance (E)
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! !
Cos =
! !"
! !
OV = ! = R sec !
!"#!

!
E = R sec
!
!
E = R (sec 1)
!

3. Middle Ordinate (M)

! !"
Cos =
! !
!
AO = R cos
!

M = R OA
!
M = R R cos
!
!
M = R ( 1 cos )
!

4. Length of Chord (C )
! !
Sin = !
!
!

= sin
2 2
5. Length of Curve (Lc)

20
= ( )

20
=

100
= ( )

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100
=

PROBLEM #1

The length of a curve having a degree of curve 4 is equal to 210 m

a. Compute the Middle Ordinate

b. Compute the External Distance of the Curve
c. Compute the Area of the Fillet of the Curve

a. Middle Ordinate
!
M = R ( 1 - )
!

Solve for I :
Lc = 210 m
20
=

D = 40
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!" ! !"# (!)

I= =
!" !"
0
I = 42
Solve for R
!!"#.!"#
R= = 296.48
!
!
M = R (1- cos )
!
!"
= 286.48 ( 1 cos )
!

M = 19.03 m

b. External Distance
!"
E = R (sec 1)
!
!"
= 286.48 ( sec 1)
!

E = 20.38 m
c. Area of the Fillet of the Curve (AF)
AF = 2AT - ASECTOR
Solve for I:
!
T = R tan
!
!"
T = 286.48 tan
!

T = 109.97 m
Area of Triangle (AT)
!
AT = RT
!
!
AT = (286.48)(109.97)
!

AT = 15,752.10 m2
Area of the Sector
! 2
ASECTOR = r
!
! !
ASECTOR = (286.48)2(42 x )
! !"#

ASECTOR = 30,080.52 m2
Finally:
AF = 2AT - ASECTOR
AF = 1423.68 m2
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PROBLEM # 2

A simple curve connects two tangents AB and BC with bearings N85030E and
S68030E respectively. If the stationing of the vertex is 4+360.2 and the stationing of PC
4+288.4

a. Determine the Radius

b. Determine the External Distance
c. Determine the Middle Ordinate
d. Determine the Chord Distance
e. Determine the Length of Curve

a. For Radius
!
T = R tan
!

Where:
T = (4+360.2) (4+288.4)
T = 71.8m

!"
71.8 = R tan
!
!".!
R=
!"# !"
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R = 311m
b. For External Distance
!
E = R (sec - 1)
!

E = 311 (sec 130 1)

E = 8.18 m
c. For Middle Ordinate
!
M = R ( 1 cos )
!

M = 311 (1 cos 13)

M = 7.97m
d. For Chord distance
!
C = 2R sin
!
!"
C = 2 (311) sin
!

C = 139.92 m
e. For the Length of Curve

!
Lc = R (I x )
!"#

!
Lc = 311 ( 260 x )
!"#

Lc = 141.13m

PROBLEM # 3 CE BOARD 2004

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A simple curve of the proposed extension of Dumag highway has direction of

tangent AB which is due north and tangent BC bearing N500E. Point A is at the PC
whose stationing is 20+130.46. the degree of curve is 40.

A. Compute the Long Chord of Curve

B. Compute the stationing at the point D on the curve along A line joining a
center of curve which makes an angle of 540 of the tangent thru the PC
C. What is the length of a line from D to the intersection of tangent AB

a. Long chord
!
C = 2R sin
!

Solve for R
!!"#.!"#
R = !
!!"#.!"#
R =
!

R = 286.48m
!"
C = 2 (286.48) sin
!

C = 242.14 m
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b. Stationing @ point D
Consider OAO

lc = R
!
lc = 286.48 (360 x )
!"#

lc = 180m

Sta D = Sta A + lc

Sta D = (20+130.46) + 180

Sta D = 20+310.46

c. Length DO

Solve for Length OO

!"#.!"
Cos 360 =
!!!

OO = 354.11m
DO = OO R
DO = 354.11 286.48
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DO = 67.63m