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Vertical Curve Example

The document provides information about a bridge crossing with an upper and lower roadway. It asks the elevation of the upper roadway at station 123+22.14, assuming the shortest vertical curves that meet a 70 mph design speed. It is also asked if there is sufficient 16.5' vertical clearance between the roadways, given the lower roadway crown is at 888.71' and the structure depth is 8'. The solution shows the calculations to determine the upper roadway elevation is 912.66', and that the vertical clearance of 15.95' is less than required.

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Amar Danial
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
181 views

Vertical Curve Example

The document provides information about a bridge crossing with an upper and lower roadway. It asks the elevation of the upper roadway at station 123+22.14, assuming the shortest vertical curves that meet a 70 mph design speed. It is also asked if there is sufficient 16.5' vertical clearance between the roadways, given the lower roadway crown is at 888.71' and the structure depth is 8'. The solution shows the calculations to determine the upper roadway elevation is 912.66', and that the vertical clearance of 15.95' is less than required.

Uploaded by

Amar Danial
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

Given the bridge crossing above, what is the elevation of the upper roadway at the intersection of the
two baselines (Station 123+22.14)? Assume a design speed of 70-mph for the upper roadway, and use
the shortest vertical curves (rounded up to the nearest 10’) that meets the design speed. Tables 3-34
will assist you.

Use the typical section above for the upper roadway. If the lower roadway’s crown line is at elevation
888.71’, and assuming the structure depth is 8.0’, does this situation provide the required 16.5’ vertical
clearance?

PAGE 1
VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

Solution:

Step 1 – Determine elevation at P.V.I.

= 884.68 + [+0.0370 x 1000’]

= 921.68’

Step 2 – Determine length of vertical curve

A = |+3.7% - (-1.84%)|

A = 5.54%

Using Table 3-35, K = 247 for 70-mph design speed


௅
K = ஺ /or/ L = K x A = 247 x 5.54

L = 1,368.4’ or L = 1,370’ (rounded up to nearest 10’)

Step 3 – Determine P.V.C. and P.V.T. station and elevation of the crest curve
௅
P.V.C.station = P.V.I.station – (ଶ)
ଵ,ଷ଻଴
P.V.C.station = 120+00 - ( ଶ
)

P.V.C.station = 113+15.00
௅
P.V.C.elevation = P.V.I.elevation - (0.0370 x ଶ)

P.V.C.elevation = 921.68’ - (25.35)

P.V.C.elevation = 896.33’
௅
P.V.T.station = P.V.I.station + (ଶ)
ଵ,ଷ଻଴
P.V.T.station = 120+00 + ( )
ଶ

P.V.T.station = 126+85.00
௅
P.V.T.elevation = P.V.I.elevation - (0.0184 x ଶ)

P.V.T.elevation = 921.68’ - (12.60)

P.V.T.elevation = 909.08’

Step 4 – Solve for p

YPVT tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x (126+85 – 113+15)]

YPVT tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x 1,370]

YPVT tan = 947.02’

PAGE 2
VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

ΔYPVT = 947.02’ – P.V.T.elevation

ΔYPVT = 947.02’ – 909.08’

ΔYPVT = 37.94’
௒
Y = px2 /or/ p = ௫ మ
ଷ଻.ଽସ
p = ଵ,ଷ଻଴మ

p = 0.00002

Step 5 – Determine elevation along curve at Station 123+22.14

Y = px2 ; x = (123+22.14 – 113+15.00) = 1007.14’

Y = (0.00002) x (1007.14’)2

Y = 20.29’

Y123+22.14 tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x 1007.14’]

Y123+22.14 tan = 933.59’

Y123+22.14 cur = 933.59’ – 20.29’

Y123+22.14 cur = 913.30’ (at crown line)

Step 6 – Determine critical points on lower and upper roadway

Critical point on lower roadway is at crown line

Critical point on upper roadway (refer to typical section) is right edge of typical section

Step 7 – Calculate elevation at upper roadway critical point

= Y123+22.14 cur + [(12 x -0.02) + (12 x -0.02) + (4 x -0.04)]

= 913.30’ + [(-0.24) + (-0.24) + (-0.16)]

= 912.66’

Step 8 – Calculate vertical clearance (VC)

VC = upper critical point elevation – structure depth – lower critical point elevation

VC = (912.66’) – (8.0’) – (888.71’)

VC = 15.95’ < 16.50’; NO

What can be done to get the required vertical clearance???

PAGE 3

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