Curves

Nomenclature and Formula for

Circular Curve
 Curves
There are two types of curves.
1. Horizontal Curves (Horizontal Alignment)
2. Vertical Curves (Vertical Alignment)

Horizontal Curves:
o Simple Circular Curve
o Compound Circular Curves
o Reverse Circular Curves
o Broken Back Curves
Degree of a Curve:
Angle subtended by an arc of 100 ft length is called
degree of curve.
 Curves are mostly used in transportation routes, such
as highways, railroads.
 Sometimes pipelines are also connected by smooth
horizontal or vertical curves.
 Horizontal Curves (or
Alignment)
 Provided for safe and continuous operations at a
uniform speed.
 Topography of the area controls the radius and design
speed.
 Sight distances controls the curves radius
 Straight (tangents) should be long enough to
accommodate all the parameters of the sight distances
(passing, stopping, decision).
 Easement curves are desirable, especially for
railroads, and rapid transit system to lesson the
sudden change in the curvature at the junction of a
tangent and a circular curve (spiral curves).
 Components of Curves
Tangent is the straight part of the alignment, there are
initial tangents and final tangents.
Spiral are used to connect a tangent with a circular
curve, a tangent with tangent, a circular curve with a
circular curve.
- A spiral makes an excellent
easement curve because its radius
decreases uniformly from infinity
at tangent to that of the curve it
meets.
Designations of Curve:
In European practice and majority of
American Highways works,
circular curves are designated by
their radius.
Rail departments and some other
departments designate the curves
in degrees.
Arc Definition: D = 100
Degree of the curve is the central 360º 2πR
angle subtended by a circular arc R = 5729.58 in ft
of 100 ft. D
Chord Definition:
Angle subtended by a circular arc and subtended
by 100 ft chord.

Sin D = 50
2 R
R= 50
Sin ( D / 2 )
 Types of Circular Curves
Simple Circular Curve:
A circular arc connecting two tangents most oftenly used type.
Compound Circular Curve:
A curve composed of two or more circular arcs of different
radii tangent to each other, with their centers on same side.
Compound Curve should avoided except in mountains.
Broken – bask curve: (unsightly and undesirable)
The combination of a short length of tangent ( less than 100 ’ )
connecting two circular arcs that centers on the same side.
OR Curves consist of tow curves in the same direction joined by a
short tangent length.
Reverse Curves:
Consists of two circular arcs of equal or different radii tangent to each
other, with their centers on opposite side of the alignment.
 Nomenclature and Formula for
Circular Curve
D° = 100’
β° = L’
D° = β°
100 L
L = 100 x β° (ft) _______ ( 1 )
D°
L = R β ______ β in radian ( 2 )
Because S = r θ
R = 5729.58 ft ______ ( 3 )
D
T = R. tan β/2 ___________ ( 4 )
LC = 2 R Sin β/2 ________ ( 5 )
For L = 100 x β° ( ft ) _____ ( 1 )
D°
L = R β ft _____ ( 2 ) β is in radian
R = 5729.58 ft _____ ( 3 ) R = 1719 “ m ”
D D
T = R tan β/2
∆AOB:

tan β/2 = T/R

T = R tan β/2 ______ ( 4 )
∆ OAC:
Sin β/2 = LC / 2
R
LC = R Sin β/2
2
LC = 2 R Sin β/2 ____ ( 5 )
∆ AOB:
Cos β/2 = R
R+E
R+E= R _
Cos β/2
E= R -R
Cos β/2
E=R 1 - 1 ______ ( 6 )
Cos β/2
∆ ADO:
Cos β/2 = R – M
R
R – M = R Cos β/2
R – R Cos β/2 = M
M = R ( 1 – Cos β/2 ) _____ ( 7 )
General Procedure of Circular Curve Layout
by Deflection Angles, with Theodolite and
Tape
Radii of curves on route
surveys are too large to permit
swing an arc from the curve
center. If not possible curves
are therefore laid out by:
1. Deflection Angles
2. Tangent Offsets
3. Chord Offsets
4. Middle Ordinates
5. Coordinates
1. By Deflection Angles:
Layout of curves by deflection
angles can be done using
theodolite and tape method.
Full Chord ( Peg Interval ):
Pegs are fixed in regular intervals along the curve, each interval is
set to equal lengths of chords (unit chords). The curve is
represented by series of chords, instead of arcs. In usual practice
the length of the unit chord should not be more than 1/20th of the
radius of the curve.
In railway, curves the unit chords are generally taken between 20
– 30 m. in road curves the unit chord should be 10 m or less.
 Short unit chord gives more accurate curves.
Initial Sub chord:
Sometime the chain age of 1st tangent point works out to be a very
odd number to make it a round number a short chord is introduced
at the beginning. This short chord is called initial sub chord.
Final Sub Chord:
Sometimes it is found that after introducing a number of full
chords some distances still remains to be covered in order to reach
the 2nd tangent point. Then again a short chord is introduced for
covering this distance is known as the final sub – chord.
 Incremental Chord
Method (Rankin's
Method):
Let “ AB ” is the
backward tangent to the
curve. T1 and T2 are
tangent points A1, A2,
A3, A4 and A5 are the
successive points on the
curve. For unit chord
(peg-interval). S1, S2, S3,
S4 and S5 are the tangential angles which each of successive chord. c1, c2, c3, c4
and c5 makes with the respective tangent at T1, 1, 2 etc.
∆1, ∆2, ∆3, ∆4 and ∆5 are the total tangential or deflection angles between
backward tangent AB and each of the line. T1 A1, T1 A2, T1
A3 etc.
c1, c2, c3, c4 and c5 are the lengths of chords.
“ R ” is the radius of the curves and “ O ” is its centre.
Chord T1 A1 is nearly equal to the arc distance T1 A1 angle.
∆1 = δ1 = ½ TOA1
Bcz δ = R θ
c1 = R 2 δ1
2 δ1 = c1/r
δ 1 = c1
2R
2 δ 1 = c1 Bcz δ = R θ
R
δ 1 = c1
2R
where “ δ1 ” is in radian
δ1 = c1 x 57.3 or 180/π
2R
δ1 = 90 c1 in degrees
πR
δ1 = 90 c1 x 60 in minutes
πR
δ1 = 1718.9 c1 in minutes
R
Similarly, Similarly for
δ2 = 1718.9 c2 3rd chord T1A3
R ∆3 = δ1 + δ2 + δ3
δ3 = 1718.9 c3 If each of unit chord lengths c1, c2, c3, c4
R and c5 are equal then δ1 = δ2 = δ3 = δ4
= δ5
δN = 1718.19 cN Then,
R ∆1 = δ1
Fundamental Theorem of ∆2 = 2 δ1
geometry is that the angle at a ∆3 = 3 δ1
point between a tangent and any
chord is equal to half the central ∆N = 4 δ1
angle subtended by the chord.
Now the total tangent angle for
first chord.
T1A1 is ∆1 = δ1
for 2nd chord T1A2
∆2 = δ1 + δ2
 Mode of Procedure
1. Setup the theodolite over 1st tangent point “ T1 ” and level it.
2. With both plates clamped at zero, direct the telescope to the ranging rod
at point of intersection (PI) and bisect it.
3. Release or unchanged the upper plate of theodolite and set the angle ∆ 1.
now telescope will be along T1 A1.
4. Pin down the zero end of the chain or tape at “ T1 ” and holding the
arrow at distance on tape equal to the length of the 1st chord, swing the
tape around “ T1 ” until the arrow is bisected by the cross – hairs. Thus
fixing the 1st point “ A1 ” on the curve.
5. Unclamped the upper plate of theodolite and set the angle reading to 2 nd
deflection angle ∆2. the line of sight being now directed along T1 A2.
Hint: For very small deflection angles like 2’ - 5”, or 5’ - 7” minutes. It is
difficult to set the ( 2’ - 5” ) with conventional method of angle
measurement. Let suppose 1st ∆1 deflection angle is 2’ – 5”.
Adjust 2’ – 5” from micrometer knob, and make zero – zero on plate readings.
Using upper slow motion screw and upper clamp final adjustments of
degree can be done.
 (Cont…)
6. Hold the zero end of the tape at “ T 1 ”and
swing the other end arrow “ A2 ” until the
arrow head bisected by the line of sight.
Thus locating the 2nd point on the curve.
7. Repeat the process until the end of the curve
is reached.
 Problem
Two tangent intersect at chain age of 1250 m. the angle of
deflection is 30º, calculate all the data necessary for setting
out a curve of radius 250 m by deflection angle method. The
peg interval may be taken as 20 m. Prepare a setting out table
when the least count of the theodolite is 20 ”. Calculate the
data for field checking.
Solution:
1. T1 = R tan β/2
T1 = 66.98 => 67 m
2. L = R β is in radian
= 250 x 30 x π
180
= 130.89 m
 (Cont…)
3. (P. C.) Chain age = (P.I.) Chain age – Tangent Length “ T1 ”
= 1250 – 67
= 1183 m
4. (P.T.) Chain age = (Pc) Chain age + Curve Length “ L ”
= 1183 + 130.89
= 1313.89 m
5. Length of Initial Sub = Let 7 m
6. Chain age of 1st peg = 1183 + 7 = 1190 m
No. of Intermediate Chords (Peg Intervals) = 6 ( 20 m each )
Chain age Covered = 1190 + ( 6 x 20 )
= 1310.0 m
7. Length of final Sub Chord = 3.89 m
8. Def – angle for initial Sub Chord
δ1 = 1718.9 c1
R
= 1718.9 x 7 = 0º 45’ 8”
250
 (Cont…)
9. Deflection angle for Full – Chord (Intermediate Chords)
δI = 1718.9 cI
R
= 1718.9 x 20
250
δI = 2º 17’ 31”
10. Deflection angle for Final Sub – Chord
δN = 1718.9 x 3.87
250
= 0º 26’ 45”
11. Arithmetical Check
Total Deflection Angle = 14º 59’ 59” = β/2 Ok = 250 1 –1
12. Field Check: Cos 15º
a) Apex distance b) M = R ( 1 – Cos β/2 )
E=R 1 – 1 = R ( Sec β/2 – 1 ) = 250 ( 1 – Cos 15º )
Cos β/2 M = 8.52 m
 Setting out Table:
Deflection
Total Angle to
Chai Angle for
Chord Chord Deflection be set on
Point n
Length Length Angle 20 ”
Age δ = 1718.9 C ∆n = δ1 + δ2 + …. + δN Theodolite
R
PC 1183.0 m ---- ---- ---- ----
A1 1190.0 m 7m 0º 48 ’ 8 ” 0º 48 ’ 8 ” 0º 48 ’ 0 ”
A2 1210.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 3º 5 ’ 39 ”
A3 1230.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 5º 23 ’ 10 ”
A4 1250.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 7º 40 ’ 41 ”
A5 1270.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 9º 58 ’ 12 ”
A6 1290.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 12º 15 ’ 43 ”
A7 1310.0 m 20 m 2º 17 ’ 31 ” 14º 33 ’ 14 ”
A8 / PT 1313.89 m 3.89 m 0º 26 ’ 45 ” 14º 59 ’ 59 ”
 Setting out Table:

Chai Total Angle to

Chord Full Chord Deflection be set on
Point n CN = 2 R Sin ∆N
Length Angle 20 ”
Age ∆n = δ1 + δ2 + …. + δN Theodolite

PC 1183.0 m ---- ---- ----

A1 1190.0 m 7m 7.0 m 0º 48 ’ 8 ”
A2 1210.0 m 20 m 26.988 m 3º 5 ’ 39 ”
A3 1230.0 m 20 m 46.933 m 5º 23 ’ 10 ”
A4 1250.0 m 20 m 66.8033 m 7º 40 ’ 41 ”
A5 1270.0 m 20 m 86.566 m 9º 58 ’ 12 ”
A6 1290.0 m 20 m 106.1907 m 12º 15 ’ 43 ”
A7 1310.0 m 20 m 125.645 m 14º 33 ’ 14 ”
A8 / PT 1313.89 m 3.89 m 129.4072 m 14º 59 ’ 59 ”
Thanks