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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
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Introduction to Vertical Curves
CIV2701 Road Design and Location
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Purpose of Vertical Curves
Allow smooth transition from one grade to
another (driver comfort)
Provide adequate sight distance at junction of
grades and for overtaking (safety)
Provide satisfactory appearance (aesthetics)
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Vertical Curve Classification
Usually parabolic as
opposed to circular
Convex (crest curves) or
Concave (sag curves)
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Properties of Parabolic Curve
Remains a parabola when plotted
at exaggerated scale
Vertical offsets are proportional to
square of distance along tangent
A point on parabola lies halfway
along the line from IP to mid point
on chord
Vertical acceleration is constant
For flat gradient curves it is
assumed that length of chord=arc
length=sum of tangent lengths =
distance between tangent points
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Note: L is measured from here to here
Not here
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Basic Formulae
Equation for Parabola y = kx
2
Slope at any point dy/dx = 2kx
Rate of change of slope = d
2
y/dx
2
= 2k
g
1
= grade 1
g
2
= grade 2
A = difference in grade = g
2
g
1
L = length of curve
K = L/A = rate of vertical curvature
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Computations on the Vertical Curve
Key Formulae
Equation for Parabola y = kx
2
Equivalent Radius =R = 100 L/A
Vertical offset = y =Ax
2
/200L
Mid-ordinate = e = LA/800
RL at any point = RL
TP
+ xg
1
/100 y
Distance to highest (or lowest point) = x =
Lg
1
/A
This distance is from TP1
A similar calculation can be done from TP2
where x= Lg
2
/A
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Vertical Curve Components
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Example
A crest vertical curve joins a +3% and 4% grade.
Design speed is 100km/hr. Length = 530m. The
chainage at the TP is 3460.00m, RL of 52.50m
Calculate points along the vertical curve at chainage
3500.0, 3600 and 3700m
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
For Chainage 3500m
X = distance from TP
Y = Ax
2
/200 L
RL at any point = RL
TP
+ xg
1
/100 y
A=g
2
-g
2
= -4-3 = -7% = 7% (ignore sign)
So for chainage 3500
X= 40.0m
Y= 7%*40
2
/200*530 =0.106
So RL @ 3500m = 52.50+ 40*3/100 -0.106
= 53.594m
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
For Chainage 3600m
X = distance from TP
Y = Ax
2
/200 L
RL at any point = RL
TP
+ xg
1
/100 y
A=g
2
-g
2
= -4-3 = -7% = 7% (ignore sign)
So for chainage 3600
X= 140.0m
Y= 7%*140
2
/200*530 = 1.294
So RL @ 3600m = 52.50+ 140*3/100 1.294
= 55.406m
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
For Chainage 3700m
X = distance from TP
Y = Ax
2
/200 L
RL at any point = RL
TP
+ xg
1
/100 y
A=g
2
-g
2
= -4-3 = -7% = 7% (ignore sign)
So for chainage 3700
X= 240.0m
Y= 7%*240
2
/200*530 = 3.804
So RL @ 3700m = 52.50+ 240*3/100 3.804
= 55.896m
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Example
A crest vertical curve joins a +3% and 4% grade.
Design speed is 100km/hr. Length = 530m. The
chainage at the TP is 3460.00m, RL of 52.50m
Compute the RL and chainage of the highest point on
the curve.
T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Review Formulae
Key Formulae
Equation for Parabola y = kx2
Equivalent Radius =R = 100 L/A
Vertical offset = y =Ax2/200L
Mid-ordinate = e = LA/800
RL at any point = RLTP + xg1/100 y
Distance to highest (or lowest point) = x = Lg1/A
This distance is from TP1
A similar calculation can be done from TP2 where x= Lg2/A
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T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d
Compute Highest Point
Distance to highest (or lowest point) = x = Lg
1
/A
This distance is from TP1
So, X= 530*3/7 =227.143
Chainage of point = TP1 + x = 3460 + 227.143
= 3687.143m
Then Y = 7%*227.143
2
/200*530 = 3.408
So RL @ 3687.143m = 52.50+ 227.143*3/100 3.408
= 55.907m