Topic 8: Circular Curves

Aims:
To differentiate between the different types of horizontal and circular curves
To understand the terminology and geometry of circular curves
To calculate through chainage values along the centre lines of circular curves
Design curves of constant radii to join straight section of for example a road or railway
Set out the centrelines of circular curves

Horizontal curves
In the design of roads or railways, straight sections of road or track are connected by
curves of constant or varying radius as shown below:

The purpose of these curves is to deflect a vehicle travelling along one of the straights
safely and comfortably through a deflection angle to enable it to continue its journey
along the other straight. The two main types shown above are:

Circular curves, curves of constant radius.

Transition curves, curves of varying radius.
A road or railway will usually comprise of a series of straights, circular curves and
transition curves, collectively known as the horizontal alignment.

Geometry of Circular Curves

There are 3 basic types of circular curves: simple curves; compound curves and reverse
curves (all of which are also known as radius or degree curves)
Simple Circular Curves
A simple circular curve consists of one are of constant radius R, these are the most
commonly used type of curves (see previous fig part a).
Compound Circular Curves
These consist of two or more consecutive simple circular curves of different radii without
and intervening straight section.

Reverse Circular Curves

These consist of two consecutive curves of the same or different radii with any
intervening straight section and with their centres of curvature falling on opposite sides of
their common tangent point (TC).

Radius and Degree Curves

A circular curve can be referred to in one of two ways:
In terms of its radius e.g. a 750m curve, this is known as a radius curve
In terms of the angle subtended at its centre by a 100m arc, for example a 2o curve.
(known as a degree curve)
Below, the arc VW=100m and it subtends an angle of Do at the centre of curvature O. TU
is therefore a Do curve.

The relationship between radius curves and degree curves is given by:
DR =

18,000

, a 1500m radius curve is equivalent to

Do =

18,000 12
=
= 3.820 0
1500

Circular Curves Terminology

Although circular curves are quite simple the terminology used also applies to transition
curves which are more complex. Thus it is important to understand all terms for circular
curves first, before looking at transition curves.

-I is the intersection point of the two straights TI and IU

-TPU is a circular curve which runs around the arc from T to U
-The length of the circular curve around the arc TPU = LC
-T and U are tangent points to the circular curve
-TI and IU are the tangent lengths of the circular curve

-P is the mid point of the circular curve TPU

-Long chord = TSU
-S is the mid point of the long chord TSU
-Deflection angle = = external angle at I = angle CIU
-Intersection angle = (180o - ) = internal angle at I TIU
-Radius of curvature of the curve = R
-Centre of curvature = O
-Q is any point on the circular curve TPU
-Tangential angle ITQ = the angle from the tangent length at T to and point on the
circular curve
-The mid ordinate of the circular curve = PS
-Radius angle = angle TOU deflection angle CIU =
-External distance = PI
Formulae used in Circular Curves
Tangent lengths IT and IU (in triangle IUO):
IU IU hence:
R tan =
=
2
IO
R

IU = IT = R tan
2

External Distance, PI (in triangle IUO):

R
cos =
2 IO

Or

IO =

R

= R sec

2
cos
2

, but PI = OI OP = OI R

Hence, PI = R sec R = R sec 1

2

Important relationships for Circular Curves for Setting Out

The triangle ITU is an isosceles triangle and therefore the angle ITU = IUT = (/2). The
following definition can be given:
The tangential angle at T to any point X on the curve TU is equal to half the angle
subtended at the centre of curvature O by the chord from T to that point.
Similarly with reference to the figure below the following definition applies of a second
tangent point:

The tangential angle at any point X on the curve to any forward point Y on the curve is
equal to half the angle subtended at the centre by the chord between the two points

The tangential angle to any point on the curve is equal to the sum of the tangential
angles from each chord up to that point.
I.e. TOY = 2( + ) and it follows that ITY = ( + ).
Chainage
Chainage is simply the longitudinal distance (usually in m) along a centreline from a start
or zero point. It is a measuring scheme used in roads, rail, pipelines, tunnels, canals etc.

Setting Out Horizontal Curves on Site

The importance of a centreline on site is that it provides a reference line from which
other feature such as channels, verges, tops and bottoms of embankments etc can be
located from. Thus it is important that:
The centreline is set out and marked (pegged) with a high degree of accuracy
The pegs are protected and marked in such a way that site traffic can clearly see them
and avoid accidentally hitting them.
If a peg is disturbed it can easily be relocated with the same high degree of accuracy as
before.
There are a number of different methods by which a centreline can be set out, all of
which can be summarised in two categories:
Traditional methods which involve working along the centreline itself using the
straights, intersection points and tangent points for reference. The equipment used fir
these methods include, tapes and theodolites or total stations.

Coordinate methods which use control networks as reference. These networks take
the form of control points located on site some distance away from the centreline. For
this method, theodolites, totals stations or GPS receivers can be used.
Setting out Circular Curves by Traditional Methods:
There are 3 methods by which pegs on the centreline of circular curves can be set out:
1.Tangential angle method
2.Offsets from the tangent lengths
3.Offsets from the long chord
When traditional methods are being used it is first necessary to locate the intersection
and tangent points of a curve. This procedure is carried out as follows:

Locate the two straights AC and BD and define them with at least two pegs on the
ground for each straight. Use nails in the tops of the pegs to define them precisely.
Set up a theodolite over the nail in a peg on one of the straights (say AC) and sight the
nail in another peg on AC so that the theodolite is pointing in the direction of
intersection point I
Drive two additional pegs x and y on AC such that straight BD will intersect the line xy.
Again use nails in x and y for precision
Join the nails in the tops of pegs x and y using a string line.
Move the theodolite and set it up over a peg on BD, then sight the other peg on BD so
that the telescope is again pointing at I.
Fix the position of I by driving a peg where the line of sight from the theodolite on BD
intersects the string line xy.
Move the theodolite to I and measure the angle AIB. Calculate the deflection angle ,
from = 180o angle AIB.

Calculate the tangent lengths IT and IU using [R tan (/2)]. Fix points T and U by
measuring back along the straights from I.
Check the setting out angle ITU which should equal to (/2).
Locating I, T and U with two Instruments
In some cases it may not be possible to locate a theodolite on point I due to
inaccessibility of some kind. In this case the location of I and the tangent points can be
carried out using two theodolites. The procedure in this case is as follows:

Choose two points A and B somewhere on the straights such that it is possible to sight A
to B and B to A and also to measure AB.
Measure AB
Measure the angles and , calculate from = 180 ( + ) and obtain from = ( +
).
Use the sine rule to calculate IA and IB
Calculate the tangent lengths IT and IU using [R tan (/2)].
Using AT = IA IT and BU = IB IU set out T from A and U from B.
If possible check that ITU is equal to (/2)

Setting Out Using Tangential Angles

This is the most accurate method of the traditional methods for setting out curves. It
can be done using a theodolite and tape, two theodolites or a total station and pole
reflector.
The formula used to determine the tangential angles is derived as follows:

Using a Theodolite and tape

In this method a theodolite is set up at the tangent point and used to turn the tangential
angles to define the directions to each centre line peg. The exact positions of these pegs
are fixed by measuring with a tape from peg to peg in sequence. The exact calculation
and setting out procedures are as follows:
Setting out Procedure:
Using the methods described previously, the tangent points are fixed and the theodolite
is set up at one of them.

The intersection point I is sighted and the horizontal circle is set to read zero. The
theodolite is rotated so that the tangential angle 1 for the first chord TK is set on the
horizontal circle.

The first chord TK is then set out by lining in the tape with the theodolite along this
direction and marking off the length of the chord from the tangent point. The chord
lengths derived in the calculations are in the horizontal plane and therefore any slope
on the ground must be accounted for. Once the first position is located it is marked with
a peg and nail to define the exact location of K.

The telescope is then turned until the horizontal circle is set to equal 1+2 in the
direction TL. With the end of the tape hooked over the nail in peg K, the length of
the second chord KL is swung to intersect TL. The point L is then pegged as
before accounting for slope corrections if required.
This procedure is repeated for all other points on the curve until point U is
reached. Then the theodolite is moved to point U and the tangential angle IUT is
measured, which should equal /2.

Example:
It is required to connect two intersecting straights whose deflection angle is
131600 by a circular curve of radius 600m. The through chainage of the
intersection point is 2745.72m and pegs are required on the centreline of the
curve at exact multiples of 25m of through chainage.
Tabulate the data necessary to set out the curve by the tangential angles method
using a theodolite and tape.

Solution:

Tangent length = IT = R tan = 600 tan 06 o 38'00' ' = 69.78m

2

Through chainage of T = Chainage of I IT = 2745.72 69.78 = 2675.94m

To fix the first point on the curve at 2700m (the next multiple of 25m) the initial
sub chord is:
Initial sub-chord = 2700 2675.94 = 24.06m

Length of circular curve = LC = R ( in radians).

600 13.2667
LC =
= 138.93m
180

Through chainage of U = Chainage of T + LC = 2675.94 + 138.93 = 2814.87m

Hence a final sub-chord is also required since 25m chords can on be used up to
2800m

Length of final sub-chord = 2814.87 2800 = 14.87m

Hence the 3 chords necessary are:
Initial sub-chord = 24.06m

90 24.06
o

= 01 08'56"
600

4 General chords = 25.00m = 90 25.00 = 01o11'37"

600
90 14.87
Final sub-chord = 14.87m
o
=

= 00 42'36"

600

Tangential Angles Method using a Total Station and Pole Mounted Reflector
In this method a total station is set up at the tangent point and used to turn the
tangential angles as for the theodolite and tape method. However instead of
measuring the chord lengths from peg to peg using the tape, the distance
measurement component of the Total Station is used to measure the length to
each peg directly from the tangent point.

The line TK = long chord of the curve are TK =

2 R sin( 1 )

The line TL = long chord of the curve are TL =

2 R sin( 1 + 2 )

The line TM = long chord of the curve are TM =

2 R sin( 1 + 2 + 3 )

Example:
Using the same information from the previous example Tabulate the necessary
data to set out the curve using a total station and reflector.
Solution:

The tangential angles, sub-chords lengths and chord lengths are calculated
exactly as for the previous example. The Long chords are obtained as follows:

TC1 = 2 R sin 1 = 1200 sin 01o 08'56' ' = 24.06m

(same as initial sub-chord in previous example)

TC 2 = 2 R sin( 1 + 2 ) = 1200 sin 02 o 20'33' ' = 49.05m

TC 3 = 2 R sin( 1 + 2 + 3 ) = 1200 sin 03o 32'10' ' = 74.01m

Setting out using Offsets from Tangent Lengths

This method of setting out requires two steel tapes. It is suitable for short curves
or small radius.

Require length of the offset X and known distances along the tangent length Y
from T:

R 2 = ( R X ) 2 + Y 2 and

X = R R2 Y 2

Y2
This can be rewritten as: X =
2R

Setting out using Offsets from the Long Chord

This traditional method also requires two tapes and is also suitable for curves of
small radius such as kerbs or boundary walls.

We require the offset length X from the chord TU at a distance Y from F. This
may be obtained from the following formula:

W
X = R2 Y 2 R2
2

Setting out Circular Curves by Coordinate Methods

Coordinate methods are used nowadays in preference to the traditional methods
as they are more efficient methods of setting out. Setting out of horizontal curves
using coordinate methods can be done using either Intersection; bearing and
distance or GPS methods.

Calculating the coordinate points on the centre line

In all cases it is first necessary to obtain the coordinate of the points that are to
be set out on the curve centre line.

P and Q above are ground control points and the coordinates of points C1, C2,
C3, C4, C5 and C6 are required:
1. To begin the calculations the coordinates of I, T and U are required
2. Then the curve is designed as if it were to be set out using a total station (as
described previously). Thus all the tangential angles ( values) and the long
chord lengths are calculated (TC1, TC2,..TU).
3. From the coordinates of T and I calculate the Bearing of TI and use it with the
tangential angles to calculate the bearings of all the long chords from T.
4. Using the bearings of the long chords together with their lengths calculate their
coordinates from those of point T.

Deriving the Setting Out Data

When setting out curves using total stations or GPS the centreline coordinates
will usually have been pre-computed and the coordinate file for the curve
uploaded to the total station or GPS receiver. In such a case the operator
does not have to do any calculations.
When setting out by theodolite and tape, intersection or bearing and distance
methods are used. This is carried out according to the following procedure:
Knowing the coordinates of P, Q, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6, derive the bearings
and horizontal lengths from P and Q to each point using rectangular to polar
conversion.
Set out the pegs by either intersection from P and Q using bearings PC1 and
QC1, PC2 and QC2 etc. Or else by bearing and distance from P and Q using
the bearings and horizontal lengths from P to each point and then checking
them using the bearings and horizontal lengths from Q.

Example:
The circular curve in the previous two examples is to be set out by intersection
from two nearby traverse station A and B. The whole circle bearing of straight
TI is obtained from the design as 632714, as are the coordinates of the
entry tangent point T.
A 829.17mE
724.43mN
B 915.73mE
691.77mN
T 798.32mE
666.29mN

Using the relevant data from the previous examples calculate:

1. The coordinates of all the points on the centre line of the curve, which lie at
exact 25m multiples of through chainage
2. The bearing AB and the bearings from A required to set out the points
3. The bearing BA and the bearings from B required to set out the points.
Solution

The coordinates of C1 (with ref to diagram above):

Bearing TC1 = bearing at TI + 1
= 632714 + 010856 (from previous example)
= 643610

Horizontal length TC1 = 24.06m (from previous examples)

ETC1 = 24.06 sin 643610 = +21.735m
NTC1 = 24.06 cos 643610 = +10.319m
EC1 = ET + ETC1 = 820.055m
NC1 = NT + NTC1 = 676.609m

The coordinates of C2
Bearing TC2 = bearing at TI + (1 + 2)
= 632714 + 022033 (from previous example)
= 654747
Horizontal length TC2 = 49.05m (from previous examples)
ETC2 = 49.05 sin 654747 = +44.738m
NTC2 = 49.05 cos 654747 = +20.110m
EC2 = ET + ETC2 = 843.058m
NC2 = NT + NTC2 = 686.400m
The coordinates of C3, C4 and C5

The remaining points are calculated by repeating the above procedure giving:
C3 = 866.442mE, 695.220mN
C4 = 890.183mE, 703.063mN
C5 = 914.224mE, 709.908mN
Coordinates of U
The coordinates of U are calculated twice to provide a check. Firstly, they are
calculated by repeating the procedures used to calculate the coordinates of
points C1 to C5.
The values obtained are;
U = 928.652mE, 713.502mN

Secondly they are calculated by working along the straights from T to I to U as

follows:
Bearing TI = 632714
Horizontal length TI = 69.78m
Hence
ETI = 69.78 sin 632714 = +62.423m
NTI = 69.78 cos 632714 = +31.186m
EI = ET + ETI = 798.32 + 62.423 = 860.743m
NI = NT + NTI = 666.29 + 31.186 = 697.476m
The angle of deflection was 131600
Bearing IU = Bearing TI + = 63o2714 + 131600 = 764314
Horizontal length IU = 69.78m
Therefore
EIU = 69.78 sin 764314 = +67.914m
NIU = 69.78 cos 76o4314 = +16.029m
EU = EI + EIU = 928.657m
NU = NI + NIU = 713.505m
These check to with a few millimetres of the values obtained for U along the long
chord TU.

The bearings from AB and BA and the bearings from A or B to each point
are calculated from the quadrants method of using rectangular to polar
conversion as discussed previously: