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Module - 9. Horizontal Curve - Simple Curve

This document provides information on the differences between horizontal and vertical curves for roads. Horizontal curves are used to connect two straight road segments and allow movement to change directions smoothly in the horizontal plane. They are typically circular curves but can also include spiral transition curves. Vertical curves are used to connect two road segments with different slopes to provide a smooth transition and avoid abrupt changes in grade. They are typically symmetrical parabolic curves. The document discusses the geometry, elements, notation, and methods for setting out both horizontal and vertical curves.

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81 views

Module - 9. Horizontal Curve - Simple Curve

This document provides information on the differences between horizontal and vertical curves for roads. Horizontal curves are used to connect two straight road segments and allow movement to change directions smoothly in the horizontal plane. They are typically circular curves but can also include spiral transition curves. Vertical curves are used to connect two road segments with different slopes to provide a smooth transition and avoid abrupt changes in grade. They are typically symmetrical parabolic curves. The document discusses the geometry, elements, notation, and methods for setting out both horizontal and vertical curves.

Uploaded by

nonononoway
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODULE 9: HORIZONTAL CURVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

CURVES
INTRODUCTION: HORIZONTAL VERTICAL
DEFINITION:
CURVE Curves of constant radius The curves are designed and
➢ is a continuation of the straight lines and curves with a required to connect two made to join two different
radius of a fixed or a variable. straights set out on the straight slope.
ground.
PURPOSE: To connect a straight line through the point of
intersection (PI) which lies between two straight lines to allow PURPOSE:
the movement to reverse slowly in the horizontal and vertical For the convenience of road To avoid the situation where
directions. users. a sudden change in the
To connect the straight lines vehicle when it starts down
Reasons for Curves Construction: with a horizontal curve the road after climbing a hill
▪ Physical state of hilly land, swampy. or otherwise.
▪ Connecting the exit or entrance as the exit roads 'toll,‘ TYPES:
▪ Avoiding the position of the details remain, such as building 1. CIRCULAR CURVE 1. SYMMETRICAL
a. Simple PARABOLIC CURVE
mosques, cemeteries.
b. Compound 2. UNSYMMETRICAL
▪ Safety of road users in order to travel more comfortable and
c. Reverse PARABOLIC CURVE
secure. 2. TRANSITION CURVE
ROAD CONSTRUCTION (SPIRAL CURVE)
GEOMETRY:

CREST CURVE
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

SAG CURVE

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION
SETTING OUT METHOD:
1. Linear Method 1. Tangent Offset Method
a. Offset from Tangent 2. By Equation of Parabola
Line
b. Offset from Long
Chord Line
c. Offset from the Chord
Produced
RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION
2. Angular Method
a. Deflection Angle
Method (Rankine’s
Method)

HORIZONTAL CURVE
➢ The center lines of highways and railroads consist of series
DAM CONSTRUCTION of straight lines, or tangents, connected by curves.
➢ Curves for streets and highways are normally circular,
although spiral curves may be used to provide gradual
transitions to or from the circular curves on high-speed
roadways such as interstates.
Types of Horizontal Curves • Length of Curve (L) - The length of curve is the
1. CIRCULAR CURVES distance from the PC to the PT, measured along the
Types of Circular Curves curve.
a. Simple Curve – consist of a single arc. • Long Chord (LC) – is the chord of the arc from the PC
b. Compound Curve – consists of two or more arcs with to PT.
different radii. CURVE NOTATION
c. Reverse Curve – consists of two arcs that curve in
different directions
2. SPIRAL CURVES (Transition Curve) – has a constantly
changing radius, so the curve starts out very flat and
increases sharpness as the alignment transitions to the
beginning of the circular curve.

Elements of Horizontal Curves

– The elements of a circular curve are shown in figure 3.


Each element is designated and explained as follows:
• Point of Intersection (PI) - The point of intersection is
the point where the back and forward tangents
intersect. Sometimes, the point of intersection is
designated as V (vertex).
• Intersection Angle (I) - The central angle is the angle
formed by two radii drawn from the center of the circle
(O) to the PC and PT. The value of the central angle is DEGREE OF CURVATURE
equal to the I angle. Some authorities call both the – The sharpness of a curve may be described in any of the
intersecting angle and central angle either I or A. following ways:
1. RADIUS OF CURVATURE
• Radius (R) - The radius of the circle of which the curve
❑ This method is often use for highway work, where the
is an arc, or segment. The radius is always
radius of the curve is frequently selected as multiple of
perpendicular to back and forward tangents. 20 m (100ft).”the smaller the radius, the sharper the
• Point of Curvature (PC) - The point of curvature is the curve.”
point on the back tangent where the circular curve 2. DEGREE OF CURVATURE – CHORD BASIS
begins. It is sometimes designated as BC (beginning of ❑ In this method, the degree of curvature is defined as
curve) or TC (tangent to curve). the central angle subtended by a chord of 20 m (100 ft)
Station P.C.= P.I. – T (D –intersecting angle in degrees)
• Point of Tangency (PT) - The point of tangency is the 3. DEGREE OF CURVATURE – ARC BASIS
point on the forward tangent where the curve ends. It ❑ the central angle of a circle that will subtended an arc
is sometimes designated as EC (end of curve) or CT of 20 m (100ft).
(curve to tangent). ❑ NOTE: a sharp curve has a larger degree of curvature
Station P.T. = P.C.+ L and a flat curve has a smaller degree of curvature.
❖ The degree of curvature should be specified rather than
• Point of Curve (PC) - The point of curve is any point
the radius of the curve. (radius can be computed)
along the curve.
SELECTION OF STAKING OUT CURVES
➢ Before horizontal curve can be selected, it is necessary to
extend the tangents until they intersect.
➢ For any pair of intersecting tangents, an infinite number of
curves can be selected, but field conditions will narrow the
choices considerably.
▪ For high-speed highways the degree of curvature is
generally kept below certain maximums while twisting
mountain roads the length of tangents may severely
limited by topography. Road running along the bank of
river, the external distance may be restricted.
➢ Curve to used can be selected by assuming the value of D,
R, T, E, or I (only one of them since they are dependent to
each other)
➢ Not always radius of curve/degree of curvature is the value
DEGREE OF CURVATURE
assumed
➢ Both the arc and chord basis are used in US.
➢ PC and PT are determined by measuring the calculated
➢ In selecting which method to used is dependent on the
tangents
experience of the surveyor
➢ Instrument is set up at the PC / PT and the curve staked
➢ For long gradual curves (common in railroad practice)
out.
chord basis is normally used (where the lengths along the
arc are considered to be the same as along the chords)
➢ Highway curves and curve property boundary – arc basis
is more common.
NOTE: The difference between the chord and arc basis is
normally not large.

CIRCULAR CURVE - SIMPLE CURVE


DEFLECTION ANGLE
➢ The deflection angle between the back tangent and a
line drawn from the PC to a particular point on a
curve.
▪ Circular curves are laid out almost by using
these angles.
Recall Geometry:
“the angle between a tangent line to a circular curve and a chord
drawn from that point of tangency to some other point on the
curve equals ½ of the angle subtended by that chord.

Note:
D ≤ 3° 100ft (20m)
3° < D ≤ 7° 50ft (10m)
7° < D ≤ 14° 25ft (5m)

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