CEPC 111

Fundamentals of Surveying

ENGR. ROLLY S. TAMBE

Instructor
Objectives:
At the end of the session, students will be able to:
 Differentiate each type of parabolic curve
from other by understanding the
characteristics of each curve;
 Interpret problems involving parabolic curves
by means of drawing and labeling the
elements;
 Solve problems involving parabolic curves
using empirical formulas and calculator
techniques by the use of the grade diagram.
CURVES
INTRODUCTION
Curves are regular bends provided in the lines of
communication like roads, railways and canals etc. to
bring about gradual change of direction.

They enable the vehicle to pass from one path on to

another when the two paths meet at angle. They are
also used in vertical plane at all changes of grade to
avoid the abrupt change of grade at the apex.
INTRODUCTION
2 TYPES OF CURVES

1. Horizontal Curves
- curves provided in the horizontal plane to have
the gradual change in direction.
• Simple Curve
• Compound Curve
• Reverse Curve

2. Vertical Curves
-curves provided in the vertical plane to obtain
the gradual change in grade.
• Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
• Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curve
HORIZONTAL CURVE
VERTICAL CURVE
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
Symmetrical parabolic
curve does not necessarily
mean the curve is
symmetrical at L/2, it
simply means that the
curve is made up of single
vertical parabolic curve.
Using two or more
parabolic curves placed
adjacent to each other is
called unsymmetrical
parabolic curve.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
ELEMENTS:

• PC = point of curvature,
also known as BVC
(beginning of vertical
curve)
• PT = point of tangency,
also known as EVC (end
of vertical curve)
• PI = point of intersection
of the tangents, also
called PVI (point of
vertical intersection)
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
ELEMENTS:
• L = length of parabolic
curve, it is the projection
of the curve onto a
horizontal surface which
corresponds to the plan
distance.
• S1 = horizontal distance
from PC to the highest
(lowest) point of the
summit (sag) curve
• S2 = horizontal distance
from PT to the highest
(lowest) point of the
summit (sag) curve
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
ELEMENTS:

• h1 = vertical distance
between PC and the
highest (lowest) point of
the summit (sag) curve

• h2 = vertical distance
between PT and the
highest (lowest) point of
the summit (sag) curve
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
ELEMENTS:

• g1 = grade (in percent)

of back tangent
(tangent through PC)

• g2 = grade (in percent)

of forward tangent
(tangent through PT)
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
ELEMENTS:

• A = change in grade
from PC to PT

• a = vertical distance
between PC and PI

• b = vertical distance
between PT and PI

• H = vertical distance
between PI and the
curve
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
PROPERTIES OF PARABOLIC
CURVE AND ITS GRADE
DIAGRAM:

1. The length of parabolic

curve L is the horizontal
distance between PC
and PT.
2. PI is midway between
PC and PT.
3. The curve is midway
between PI and the
midpoint of the chord
from PC to PT.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
PROPERTIES OF PARABOLIC
CURVE AND ITS GRADE
DIAGRAM:

4. The vertical distance

between any two
points on the curve is
equal to area under
the grade diagram.
The vertical distance c
= Area.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
PROPERTIES OF PARABOLIC
CURVE AND ITS GRADE
DIAGRAM:

5. The grade of the curve

at a specific point is
equal to the offset
distance in the grade
diagram under that
point. The grade at
point Q is equal to gQ.
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
FORMULAS:

𝑔1 +𝑔2
L= × 20
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑕𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
FORMULAS:
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
FORMULAS:
EXAMPLE #1.

A symmetrical vertical summit

curve has tangents of +4% and
-2%. The allowable rate of
change is 0.3% per meter
station. Stationing and
elevation of PT is at 10+020 and
142.63 m respectively.

1. Compute the length of

curve
2. Compute the distance of
the highest point of curve
from the PC
3. Compute the elevation of
the highest point of curve.
EXAMPLE #2.

A vertical summit parabolic curve

has its PI at station 14+750 with
elevation of 76.30m. The grade of
the back tangent is 3.4% and
forward tangent of -4.8%. If the
length of curve is 300m,

1. Compute the location of the

vertical curve turning point
from the PI.
2. Compute the elevation of the
vertical curve turning point in
meters.
3. Compute the stationing of the
vertical curve turning point.
4. Compute the elevations of
quarter points.
EXAMPLE #3.

A parabolic curve has a

descending grade of -0.8% which
meets an ascending grade of 0.4%
at sta. 10+020. the maximum
allowable change of grade per 20
meter station is 0.15. Elevation of
station 10+020 is 240.60 m.
Determine:

1. Length of curve
2. Distance of the lowest point of
the curve from PC
3. Elevation of the lowest point of
the curve.
4. Compute the elevations of
quarter points.