Vertical alignment

ENCI 575 1
Fall 2017
Vertical curves

n Vertical curves are parabolas

connecting and making the transition
between two tangent grades
n Most vertical curves extend an equal
distance from the PVI (equal-tangent
curves)

ENCI 575 2
Fall 2017
Vertical curves

ENCI 575 3
Fall 2017
Vertical curve parameters

n A = algebraic difference in tangent

grades
n A = |G1 G 2|
n Example: A = |-3% (+2%)| = 5%

ENCI 575 4
Fall 2017
K parameter

n The K parameter defines the rate of

change of gradient
n Example: K = 90 means a horizontal
distance of 90 m is required for every
1% change in gradient
n L = KA A in %

ENCI 575 5
Fall 2017
Vertical curve equations

y = ax + bx + c
2

n y =roadway elevation at x
n x = distance from the beginning of the
vertical curve
n a, b = parabola parameters
n c = elevation of the PVC
ENCI 575 6
Fall 2017
Calculation of a and b

dy
= 2ax + b
dx
n At the PVC, x = 0 and the slope is G1.
Therefore:

dy
b= = G1
dx

ENCI 575 7
Fall 2017
Calculation of a and b

d2y
2
= 2a
dx
n The rate of change of slope is (G2-G1)/L.
Therefore:
G2 - G1
a=
2L

ENCI 575 8
Fall 2017
Offsets
n Vertical distances from the initial tangent to the curve

A 2
Y= x A in %
200L
ENCI 575 9
Fall 2017
Example 3.1 (Mannering)

n A 200-m equal-tangent sag vertical

curve has the PVC at station 3 + 700
and elevation 321 m. The initial grade
is -3.5% and the final grade is +0.5%.
Determine the stationing and elevation
of the PVI, the PVT and the lowest
point on the curve.

ENCI 575 10
Fall 2017
Example 3.2 (Mannering)

n An equal-tangent vertical curve is to

be constructed between grades of
-2.0% (initial) and +1.0% (final). The
PVI is at station 3 + 350 and at
elevation 130 m. Due to a street
crossing the roadway, the elevation of
the roadway at station 3 + 415 must
be at 131 m. Design the curve.
ENCI 575 11
Fall 2017
Sight distance and crest
curves

n S = sight distance
n H1 = height of drivers eye
n H2 = height of object
ENCI 575 12
Fall 2017
Minimum crest curve
length for sight distance
n For S < L
AS 2
Lm =
(
200 H1 + H 2 )
2

n For S > L

Lm = 2 S -
(
200 H1 + H 2 )
2

ENCI 575 13
Fall 2017
Minimum crest curve
length for sight distance
n In practice, assume S < L

Lm S2
= Km =
A (
200 H1 + H 2 )
2

ENCI 575 14
Fall 2017
Minimum K values

ENCI 575 15
Fall 2017
Sight distance and sag
curves

n In daylight, sight distance is limited only by

adjacent crest curves
n At night: height and angle of headlight
beam are determinant (headlight control)
ENCI 575 16
Fall 2017
Minimum sag curve
length for sight distance
n For S < L
AS 2
Lm =
200(H + S tan b )

n For S > L
200(H + S tan b )
Lm = 2 S -
A

ENCI 575 17
Fall 2017
Headlight control in
Alberta

ENCI 575 18
Fall 2017
Example 3.8 (Mannering)
n An existing tunnel needs to be connected to
a newly constructed bridge with sag and
crest vertical curves (see textbook for
profile). Develop a vertical alignment to
connect the tunnel and bridge by
determining the highest possible common
design speed for the sag and crest vertical
curves needed. Compute the stationing and
elevations of PVC, PVI, and PVT curve
points.
ENCI 575 19
Fall 2017
Example 3.10
(Mannering)
n Determine the curve lengths required
for a 100-km/h vertical alignment to
connect two highway segments
separated by 700 m as shown below.

ENCI 575 20
Fall 2017