ENGI3703- Surveying and Geomatics Fall 2007

Lab 6: Horizontal Curve Layout

Objective: To gain familiarity with the theory, design and layout of Horizontal curves for
most types of transportation routes, such as highways, railroads, pipelines, etc,.

Preparation: Read chapter 24 in the Elementary Surveying, 11th ed. Textbook.

Overview: When a highway changes horizontal direction, making the point where it changes
direction at a point of intersection between two straight lines is not feasible. The change in
direction would be too abrupt for the safety of modem, high-speed vehicles. It is therefore
necessary to interpose a curve between the straight lines. The straight lines of a road are called
tangents because the lines are tangent to the curves used to change direction.

In circular curve layout, the curve staking notes and calculations are prepared prior to the actual field
layout. Here we use similar data of the sample metric circular curve calculation discussed during
your lecture. Equations and necessary calculations, the description of the field procedure, and the
figures of circular curve terminology and of geometry are given below.

Instruments to be used: Check out the following equipments:

1. Total Station/theodolites
2. Tripod
3. Reflector/leveling rod
4. Pegs
5. Tape

Curve parameters calculation

Give: The station of PI is 0 +100.000 Point of intersection

0
I = 12 51’ Intersection angle
R = 400 m Radius of the curve
Stake the curve at 20 m increments.
Solution:
# " &
L = RI = 400%12.85 0 * ( = 89.710 m Length of the curve
$ 180 0 '
"I% "12.85 0 %
T = R * tan$ ' = 400 * tan$ ' = 45.044 m Tangent
# 2& # 2 &
!

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 ENGI3703- Surveying and Geomatics Fall 2007

Station calculation for PC (Point of the curvature or the beginning of the curve (BC)) and PT
(Point of tangency or the end of the curve (EC)):

PI Station = 0+100.000
"T = "45.044
PC Station = 0+ 054.956
+L = +89.710
PT Station = 0+144.666

" 12.85 0 %
LC = 2 * R * sin( I /2) = 2 * 400 * sin$ ' = 89.522 m Long Cord
! # 2 &
"I% "12.85 0 %
E = T * tan$ ' = 45.044 * tan$ ' = 2.528 m External Distance
# 4& # 4 &
!
"I% "12.85 0 %
M = E * cos$ ' = 2.528 * cos$ ' = 2.512 m Mid-ordinate
#2& # 2 &
!
Arc Distances:

! The arc distance from the PC to station 0+060 is (60-54.956) = 5.044 m

The arc distance for the final stationing is (144.666-140) = 4.666 m.
All other stations have 20 m stationing interval.

Deflection angles:

I
"= * Arc
2L
12.85
"a = * 5.044 = 0 021' 40"
2 * 89.710
12.85
"= * 20 = 1025'57
2 * 89.710
12.85
"b = * 4.666 = 0 020'03"
2 * 89.710

Cords from station to station:

! C = 2 * R * sin(" )
First cord between PC and 0+060: c a = 2 * R * sin("a ) = 2 * 400 * sin(0 o21' 40") = 5.042 m
Consecutive chords (20 m arc): c = 2 * R * sin(" ) = 2 * 400 * sin(1o25'57") = 19.998 m
!
!
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 ENGI3703- Surveying and Geomatics Fall 2007

Last cord between 0+140 and PT: c b = 2 * R * sin("b ) = 2 * 400 * sin(0 o20'03") = 4.666 m

Long cord from the PC can be calculated using the deflection angle measured from the tangent
(T).
!
LCT = 2 * R * sin("T )

where "T is the deflection angle from PC. Table 6.1 depicts the curve data necessary to stake the
curve.
!
Table 6.1 Deflection angle, Incremental cord and Long cord data for the curve
! Incremental Deflection Long Cord
Station Cord (m) Increment Deflection Angle from PC (m)
0+054.044 (PC)
0+060 5.042 0o21'40" 0o21'40" 0o22' 5.042
0+080 19.998 1o25'57" 1o47'37" 1o48' 25.039
0+100 19.998 1o25'57" 3o13'34" 3o14' 45.021
0+120 19.998 1o25'57" 4o39'31" 4o40' 64.975
0+140 19.998 1o25'57" 6o05'28" 6o06' 84.888
0+144.666 (PT) 4.666 0o20'03' 6o25'31" 6o26' 89.522

Figure 6.1 Circular curve elements (Figure 24.4 from textbook).

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ENGI3703- Surveying and Geomatics Fall 2007

Figure 6.2 Sample circular curve layout by deflection angles (Figure 24.5 from textbook).

Figure 6.2 Sample field notes (Figure 24.7 from textbook).

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ENGI3703- Surveying and Geomatics Fall 2007

Field procedure for curve layout:

The normal way of staking out a circular curve is to layout the intersection angle (I) and tangent
length at and from the PI, then lay out the curve from the PC to the PT using a series of
appropriate deflection angles and chords. Use increment cord method to layout the curve by
deflection angles. The normal field layout procedure may be described stepwise as follows:

1. Set up the instrument at the point of intersection (PI). Use the end of your reference
line that you used for profile leveling (Lab 4) as PI.

2. Establish the PC and PT by measuring tangent distance T from the PI along both the
back and forward tangents.

♦ To stake PC and PT, sight along the back tangent with telescope in reverse
position (plunge), set the horizontal angle to zero and measure the tangent
distance and stake PC. Plunge telescope to direct position, lay off intersection (I)
angle with upper motion and sight along the forward tangent. Measure the tangent
distance and stake PT.

3. Establish directions of the external distance (E) and mid-ordinate (M), then stake out
these points. This can be set by bisecting the angle (180o-I) at the PI and laying off
the external distances from there. A check of the deflection angle from the PC to the
midpoint should yield I/4.

4. Set up and level the instrument over PC, backsighting on the PI and set the horizontal
angel reading as 0o00’00”. Stake intermediate curve points by lay off the consecutive
appropriate deflection angles and measuring the incremental cord between points
using tape.

5. Check the positions of M and PT by laying out and measuring half of the long cord
and the full long cord (LC). The first point should coincide with the stake of the M
and the second with the PT stake.

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