Unsymmetrical Parabolic

Curve
Engr. Akira Q. Nakaegawa
March 10, 2020
Since we already know the elements of a
Symmetrical Parabolic Curve…
• Let us now:
• Determine the how to analyze Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curves.
• Determine the differences of a Symmetrical and an Unsymmetrical Parabolic
Curve.
• Have two sample problems.
Elements of an Unsymmetrical Parabolic
Curve

+g1L2

(g1-g2)L2
T1 T2
-g2L2
PC
PT

L1 L2

L
Elements of an Unsymmetrical Parabolic
Curve
First, I would like to emphasize
that in Unsymmetrical Parabolic +g1L2
Curves, L1 IS NOT EQUAL TO L2.
(g1-g2)L2
T1 T2
-g2L2
PC
PT

L1 L2

L
Elements of an Unsymmetrical Parabolic
Curve
For that reason, we only use the
First, I would like to emphasize length of L2 for this element.
that in Unsymmetrical Parabolic +g1L2
Curves, L1 IS NOT EQUAL TO L2.
(g1-g2)L2
T1 T2
-g2L2
PC
PT

L1 L2

L
In order to get “H”,
• We simply use ratio and proportion:

2𝐻 𝑔1 − 𝑔2 𝐿2
=
𝐿1 𝐿
• Isolating H, we get:
𝑳 𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝒈 𝟏 − 𝒈 𝟐
𝑯=
𝟐𝑳
To get the Lowest or Highest Point on the
Curve:
• From PC
𝒈𝟏 𝑳𝟐𝟏
𝒔𝟏 =
𝟐𝑯
• From PT
𝒈𝟐 𝑳𝟐𝟏
𝒔𝟐 =
𝟐𝑯
Note:
𝒔𝟏 + 𝒔𝟐 = 𝑳
**This is the same case as in Symmetrical Parabolic Curves.
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• First Step which I highly advise is to draw the Parabolic curve.

Example No. 1

g1 = ? g2 = -1.4%
PC
PT

L2

L
Example No. 1

Assuming that this is the highest point on the

curve, we can simply identify the location of our
s1, which is equal to 70.59 m.

g1 = ? g2 = -1.4%
PC
PT

L2
s1 = 70.59
L
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Second Step: Assume it is an Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curve.

• So using the formula which was shown earlier, we can use:
𝑔1 𝐿21 𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑔1 −𝑔2
𝑠1 = (1) and 𝐻 = (2)
2𝐻 2𝐿
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Third Step: Perform simple substitution of Eq. 2 into Eq. 1:

𝑔1 𝐿21
𝑠1 =
𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑔1 − 𝑔2
2
2𝐿
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Third Step: Perform simple substitution of Eq. 2 into Eq. 1:

𝑔1 𝐿21
70.59 =
𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2
2(120)
• Since we still have three unknowns, let use another formula:
𝐿1 + 𝐿2 = 𝐿 > 𝐿2 = 𝐿 − 𝐿1
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Fourth Step: Perform another substitution:

𝑔1 𝐿21
70.59 =
𝐿1 (120 − 𝐿1 ) 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2
2(120)
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Fourth Step: Perform another substitution:

𝑔1 𝐿21
70.59 =
𝐿1 (120 − 𝐿1 ) 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2
2(120)
• Unfortunately, we have used all given but we have two unknowns
remaining. So, let us assume for the problem to be SYMMETRICAL.
Example No. 1
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.

• Fifth Step: Assume it is a Symmetrical Parabolic Curve.

𝑔1 𝐿 𝑔1 120
𝑠1 = >>> 70.59 =
𝑔1 −𝑔2 𝑔1 +0.014
• Solving for 𝑔1 :
𝒈𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎%
Example No. 2
• An unsymmetrical parabolic curve has a forward tangent of -8% and a
back tangent of +5%. The length of the curve on the left side of the
curve is 40 m. long while the right side is 60 m. long. PC is at Sta.
66+780 and at Elev. 110 m.
1. Determine the height of fill at the outcrop (30 m from PC with top
elevation of 108.40 m).
2. Determine the elevation of the curve at Sta. 6+820.
Example 2

Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2

PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
Sta 66+780 -g2L2
Elev. 110 m z
Elev. 108.4 m PT

40 60

L
Example 2

Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2

PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
Sta 66+780 -g2L2
a z
Elev. 110 m
Elev. 108.4 m PT

40 60

L
Example No. 2
• Step 1: Solve for a:
𝑎 = 0.05 30 = 1.500 𝑚
• Step 2: Using Squared Property of Parabola:
𝑦 𝐻
2
= 2
𝑥 𝐿1
*But, we still lack value for H:
60 0.05 + 0.08
𝐻=
2(100)
𝐻 = 1.560 𝑚
Example No. 2
• Step 3: Solve for y using SPP:
1.56 302
𝑦=
402
𝑦 = 0.878 𝑚
• Step 4: Get the value of z:
𝑧 = 110 + 𝑎 − 𝑦 − 108.40
𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍, 𝒛 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝒎
Example 2

Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2

PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
c Sta 66+780 -g2L2
Elev. 110 m z
Elev. 108.4 m PT

40 60

L
Example No. 2
• Step 1 (for b):
𝐸𝑙820 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑐 − 𝐻
• Step 2: Solve for c
𝑐 = 0.05 40 = 2.000 𝑚

𝐸𝑙820 = 100 + 2 − 1.56

𝑬𝒍𝟖𝟐𝟎 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟎 𝒎