Vertical alignments The University of

Duhok

Lecture 7C2:
Vertical Curves

By: Dr. Farsat Heeto

May, 2018

1 09/05/2018
 Vertical curves
The University of

Duhok
Vertical curves are used to provide a gradual change from one tangent
grade to another. These curves are usually parabolic cures.

G1 and G2=Tangent grades in percent

A= Algebraic difference in grade
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L= length of vertical curve
 Vertical curves cont. The University of

Duhok

Crest and Sag Curves

Type II
Type I Crest Vertical Curves

Type III

g1 and g2: Tangent grades in percent

A: Algebraic difference in grade Type IV
3 L: length of vertical curve Sag Vertical Curves 09/05/2018
 Vertical curves cont.
The University of

Duhok

 Vertical curves are used to joint two lines having different slopes
in vertical plane, so that to make a gradual change in vertical
motion of vehicle when travelling along the road.

Sag vertical curve

Crest vertical curve

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 Vertical curves cont. The University of

Duhok

 Grade line and ground profile of a proposed highway section

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 Crest vertical curve The University of

Duhok
 L: Length of vertical curve A
y e
measured horizontally, e.g. L = 350m
= 3.5 station, each station = 100 m x
 G1 and g2: Tangent grades in
percent
A: Algebraic difference in grade (g2-g1)
𝐴
r :rate of change of grade per station; 𝑟 =
𝐿
PVC (BOVC): point of vertical curve or (Beginning of vertical curves)
PVI: Point of vertical intersection
PVT (EOVC): Point of vertical tangency or (End of vertical curves)
e: different in elevation at intersection point
X : horizontal distance in station from PVC or PVT to the require point
y: elevation of point in the curve
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 Calculations The University of

Duhok
 Determination of Stations and elevations
𝐿
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑉𝐼 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑉𝐶 +
2
𝐿
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑉𝐼 +
2
𝐿
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐼 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐶 ∓ 𝑔1 ×
2
𝐿
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐼 ∓ 𝑔2 ×
2
 The sign used depend on upon the type of curve where it is crest or sag.
 The elevation of highest and lowest point on the curve can be determined
𝑟 2
𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑔1𝑥 + 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐶
2
𝑑𝑦 −𝑔1
= 𝑟𝑥 + 𝑔1 = 0; ∴ 𝑥𝑜 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑟
𝒓 𝟐
 𝒚𝒐 = 𝒙 + 𝒈𝟏𝒙𝒐 + 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝑽𝑪
𝟐 𝒐
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 The parabola The University of

Duhok
 The Crest and Sag

Crest vertical curve

Vertical parabolic curve relationship

Sag vertical curve

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 The parabolic formula
 The general form of the parabolic equation, as applied to vertical
curves
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0 ; 𝑦 = 𝑐 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐶
 Taking first derivative and putting x =0
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏; ∴ = 𝑏 = 𝑔1
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
 Taking the second derivative
𝑑𝑦 2 𝑟
2
= 2𝑎 = 𝑟 ; ∴ 𝑎 =
𝑑𝑥 2
 So that parabolic equation become
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑔1𝑥 + 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐶
𝒓 𝟐
 𝒚= 𝒙 + 𝒈𝟏𝒙 + 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝑽𝑪
𝟐
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 The parabola equation
(Equation of Elevation)
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
Where:
y = Elevation of the curve at a distance x meters from the PVC (m)
c = elevation of PVC (m)
b=G1
a=(G2-G1)/2L ,
L = Length of the curve (m)
x = Horizontal distance from the PVC (m) (Varied from 0 to L for
graphing.)
𝑔2−𝑔1 𝑟
r= rate of change of grade, 𝑟 = 𝐿
;𝑎 =
2
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 Method of calculation

1. Geometric Method: In this method the elevation on the tangent may be

determines and the value of Δy calculated
𝑟
∆𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∓ ∆𝑦

2. Analytical method: It depend upon the parabolic equation, elevation of PVC,

𝑟
g1, and x must be known. In this lecture we use this method.
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 The parabola cont.
Equation of the parabola:
𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗. 𝒑 = 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗. 𝑩𝑶𝑽𝑪 + 𝒃. 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒙 𝟐
Where b is the left hand grade(g1)
𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 − 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝑎=
2𝐿
 Example: a parabolic vertical curve having a length=
400m used to connect two grades the first= +4% , the
second=-5%. elevation of the point of intersection =30m.
Find the elevation of points on the curve every 50m from
BOVC

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 Solution
𝟒
 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗. 𝑩𝑶𝑽𝑪 = 𝟑𝟎 − ∗ 𝟐𝟎𝟎 = 𝟐𝟐𝒎
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟓
 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗. 𝑬𝑶𝑽𝑪 = 𝟑𝟎 − ∗ 𝟐𝟎𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎𝒎
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟓 𝟒
− −
 b= 4% ; 𝒂 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎
= −𝟗/𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎= -0.0001125
𝟐∗𝟒𝟎𝟎

x ( m) bx ( m) ax2 ( m) elev p(m)

0 0 0 22 Find the elevation of the
50 2 -0.28 23.72
highest point on the curve?
−𝑔1
100 4 - 1.13 24.87 𝑥𝑜 =
𝑟
150 6 -2.53 25.47
200 8 -4.5 25.50
𝒓 𝟐
250 10 -7.03 24.97 𝒚𝒐 = 𝒙 + 𝒈𝟏𝒙𝒐 + 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝑽𝑪
𝟐 𝒐
300 12 -10.13 23.87
350 14 -13.78 22.22
13 400 16 -18 20 check ok 09/05/2018
 Case of vertical. The University of

Duhok
Case 1: Sag
G2=+5% Case 1: Crest

G1=+2%

 Example:
 L=300m station PVI= 20+00 , elevation PVI=100m , find the elevations
on the vertical curves at points every 50m.
 1- Find elevation and station of B.O.V.C
𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 −𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆
 2- Find 𝒂 =
𝟐𝑳
 3- Find all elevations

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 Solution
 For case 1, sage
𝟐
 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑩. 𝑶. 𝑽. 𝑪 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − ∗ 𝟏𝟓𝟎 = 𝟗𝟕𝒎
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟓
 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑬. 𝑶. 𝑽. 𝑪 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 + ∗ 𝟏𝟓𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟕. 𝟓𝒎
𝟏𝟎𝟎
 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝑽𝑪 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟏𝟓𝟎 = (𝟏𝟖 + 𝟓𝟎)
𝟓 𝟐
−
 𝒂= 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓
𝟐∗𝟒𝟎𝟎
Find the elevation of the
highest point on the curve?
−𝑔1
𝑥𝑜 =
99.5 𝑟
𝒓 𝟐
𝒚𝒐 = 𝒙𝒐 + 𝒈𝟏𝒙𝒐 + 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝑽𝑪
𝟐

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 Examples
 Example1: calculate the station and elevations of vertical curve if
the following information are given. Length of curve= 500 m,
g1= +2.8 % , g2 = -4.6 % , station PVI = 13+70, elevation of
PVI = 48.30 m.
 Solution
𝐿
𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐶 = 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 − = (13 + 70) − (2 + 50) = 𝟏𝟏 + 𝟐𝟎
2
𝐿
𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 + = (13 + 70) + (2 + 50) = 𝟏𝟔 + 𝟐𝟎
2
𝐿
𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 − 𝑔1 = 48.30 − 2.8 × 2.5 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟑𝟎m
2
𝐿
𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 − 𝑔2 = 48.30 − 4.6 × 2.5 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟖𝟎𝒎
2

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 Example cont.
 Example 2: compute the station and elevation of the curve if g1=-2.8%,
g2=+2% and length of curve = 300 m. Then, calculate the total volume of cut
and fill if elevation of grade surface =36.4 at P.VC station=15+60, the grade of
earth surface was 1% and width of way 9m side slope 1:2 and the stations are
level.
 Solution:
𝐿
 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 = 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐶 + = 15 + 60 + (1 + 50) = 𝟏𝟕 + 𝟏𝟎
2
 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝑆𝑡. 𝑃𝑉𝐶 + 𝐿 = 15 + 60 + (3 + 00) = 𝟏𝟖 + 𝟔𝟎
𝐿 2.8
𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 = 𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐶 − 𝑔1 = 36.40 − × 150 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟐𝟎m
2 100
𝐿 2
𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝑇 = 𝐸𝑙𝑣. 𝑃𝑉𝐼 + 𝑔2 = 32.20 + × 150 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟐𝟎𝒎
2 100
 Calculate the elevation of point on the curve every 100m

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 Solution Cont.
Equation of the parabola:
𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 −𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝒚 = 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗. 𝑩𝑶𝑽𝑪 + 𝒈. 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒙 𝟐; 𝑎 =
2𝐿
2 % + 2.8 %
𝑎= = +0.00008
2𝐿
Point Station x gx 𝒂𝒙 𝟐 Curve elevation
PVC 15+60 0 0 0 36.4
P1 16+00 40 -1.12 0.13 35.41
P2 17+00 140 -3.92 1.57 34.05
PVI ( e ) 17+10 150 -4.2 1.8 34.00
p3 18+00 240 -6.72 4.61 34.29
PVT 18+60 300 -8.4 7.2 35.2 check ok
𝐴𝐿 (𝑔2−𝑔1)×300 14.4
𝑒= = = = 𝟏. 𝟖m check ok
8 8 8
𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐶 + 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝑇
− 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑉𝐼
𝑒= 2 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝒎
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