GE 104

ENGINEERING
SURVEYS
ENGR. JIGG PELAYO, GE, EnP
CHAPTER 2.2
HORIZONTAL CURVES
PART-2

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
◂ Understand the definition of terms related to Horizontal
Curves;
◂ Understand the basic concepts of Horizontal Curves;
◂ Identify and Differentiate the various kinds of Horizontal
Curves
◂ Understand the definition of terms related to Spiral Curve
and Superelevation;
◂ Identify and explain the different elements of Spiral Curves;
◂ Identify and explain the different elements of
Superelevations;
◂ Perform computations relating to different horizontal
curves, specifically Spiral Curves and Superelevation.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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“ ourage is not having the
strength to go on; it is
going on when you

”
don’t have the strength.

Theodore Roosevelt
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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TOPIC 2.2.1
Spiral Curve

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
 SPIRAL CURVE
◂ Also known as Transition curves, were utilized by railways as
early as 1880 to provide easement between tangents and
circular curves.
◂ The radius decreases from infinity at the tangent to the radius
of the circular curve it is intended to meet.
◂ The radius of this curve is inversely proportional to length
traversed. Hence the rate of change of acceleration in this
curve is uniform throughout its length.
◂ The curve chosen for this purpose was a “clothoid”, in which
the curvature varies inversely as the radius and increases
linearly from zero to infinity.
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SPIRAL CURVE
◂ Transition curves permit gradual change of direction from
straight to curve and vice-versa, and at the same time gradual
introduction of cant or superelevation.
◂ Cant or superelevation is the amount by which one rail is
raised above the other rail. It is positive when the outer rail
on a curved track is raised above inner rail and is negative
when the inner rail on a curved track is raised above the
outer rail.
◂ Is a curve with a gradual change in elevation on the outside of
the curve to help drivers comfortably take turns at faster
speeds.
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 ELEMENTS OF S.C.
◂ TS - Tangent to spiral
◂ SC - Spiral to curve
◂ CS - Curve to spiral
◂ ST - Spiral to tangent
◂ LT - Long tangent
◂ ST - Short tangent
◂ R - Radius of simple curve
◂ Ts - Spiral tangent distance
◂ Tc - Circular curve tangent
◂ L - Length of spiral from TS to any point along the spiral

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 ELEMENTS OF S.C.
◂ Ls - Length of spiral from TS to any point along the spiral
◂ PI - Point of intersection
◂ I - Angle of intersection
◂ Ic - Angle of intersection of the simple curve
◂ p - Length of throw or the distance from tangent that the circular
curve has been offset
◂ X - Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent to any point on
the spiral
◂ Xc - Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent to SC
◂ Y - Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral

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 ELEMENTS OF S.C.
◂ Yc - Distance along tangent from TS to point at right angle to SC
◂ Es - External distance of the simple curve
◂ θ - Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral
◂ θs - Spiral angle from tangent to SC
◂ i - Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral, it is proportional
to the square of its distance
◂ is - Deflection angle from TS to SC
◂ D - Degree of spiral curve at any point
◂ Dc - Degree of simple curve

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 ELEMENTS OF S.C.
Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral:
𝐿5 𝐿𝑠 3
𝑌=𝐿− 𝑌𝑐 = 𝐿𝑠 −
40𝑅 2 𝐿𝑠 2 40𝑅2

Offset distance from tangent to any point on the spiral:

𝐿3 𝐿𝑠 2
𝑋 = 𝑋𝑐 ( 3 ) 𝑋𝑐 =
𝐿𝑠 6𝑅
Length of throw:
𝐿𝑠 2
𝑝=
24𝑅
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 FORMULAS OF S.C.
Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral (in radian):
𝐿2 𝐿2
𝜃= 𝜃𝑠 =
2𝑅𝐿𝑠 2𝑅

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral:

1 𝐿2 1 𝐿2
𝑖= 𝜃= 𝑖 = 𝜃𝑠 =
3 6𝑅𝐿𝑠 3 2𝑅
Tangent distance:
𝐿𝑠 𝑋𝑐
𝑇𝑠 = + 𝑅 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝐼ൗ2)
2 4
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 FORMULAS OF S.C.
Angle of intersection of simple curve:

𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼 − 2𝜃𝑠

External distance:

𝑅+𝑃 𝑋𝑐
𝐸𝑠 = −𝑅 = 𝑅+ sec 𝐼ൗ2 − 𝑅
cos 𝐼ൗ2 4

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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TOPIC 2.2.1.1
Sample Problem for
Spiral Curve

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
◂ A simple curve having a radius of 285m connects two tangents
intersecting at an angle 45 degrees. It ss to be replaced by
another curve having 75m spirals at its ends such that the point
of tangency shall be the same. Determine the following:
1. The radius of the new circular curve.
2. The distance that the curve will be nearer the vertex.
3. The central angle of the circular curve.
4. The deflection angle at end point of the spiral.
5. The offset from the tangent at the end of the point of the spiral.
6. The distance along the tangent at the midterm of the spiral

Note: Sample problems will be presented and solved through lecture videos.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
◂ A spiral 75m long connects a tangent with a 6 degrees and 45
minutes circular curve. If the stationing of TS is 5,000 and the
gauge of the track on the curve is 1.75m. Determine the
following:
1. The elevation of the outer rail at the midpoint, if the velocity
of the fastest train to pass over the curve is 50Kph.
2. The spiral angle at the first quarter point.
3. The deflection angle at the end point.
4. The offset from the tangent at the 2nd quarter point.

Note: Sample problems will be presented and solved through lecture videos.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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TOPIC 2.2.2
Superelevation

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
 SUPERELEVATION
◂ On high-speed highways and railroad curves, the velocity of
movement of the vehicle or train develops a horizontal
centrifugal force.
◂ Centrifugal force - is the outward pull on a vehicle traversing a
horizontal curve
◂ So that the plane of the pavement or rails may be normal to
the resultant of the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the
vehicle, the outer edge of the pavement or outer rail of the
track is superelevated.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION

SKIDDING OVERTURNING SUPERELEVATION

𝑊𝑉 2
𝑃= ( CENTRIFUGAL FORCE )
𝑔𝑅
LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION

SKIDDING OVERTURNING SUPERELEVATION

IE OE IE W OE
W

P P
SKIDDING OVERTURNING

FA FB d/2 d/2
RA RB

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
D

Y W

𝜃
P

FB

FA
E
RB

𝜃 RA
L
LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Superelevation may be defined as the one-sided transverse
slope obtained by raising the outer edge of the pavement with
respect to the inner edge throughout the length of the curve
to counteract the effects of centrifugal force like overturning
and skidding. (1st definition)
◂ Superelevation is inward transverse inclination which is
provided to the cross-section of the pavement of road at the
horizontally curved portion of the roads. (2nd definition)
◂ Superelevation is also known as Cant or Banking.
◂ It is very essential to provide superelevation in roads for the
safe movement of vehicles on the curved portion of the roads.
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ It helps the fast-moving vehicles to safely pass through the
curved portion of the roads with stability.
◂ SuperElevation / Banking of road reduces the effect of
centrifugal force on the running wheels. If superelevation is not
provided with the entire centripetal force is produced by the
friction between the vehicle’s tires and the roadway, thus
results in reducing the speed of a vehicle.
◂ Superelevation is expressed as the height of the outer edge of
the pavement with respect to the width of the pavement.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Purpose of Providing Superelevation in Roads
◂ The main aim of providing superelevation is to counteract the
effect of centrifugal force acting on the moving vehicle.
◂ To prevent the damaging effect on the surface of the roads
due to improper distribution of load on the roads.
◂ To reduce the maintenance cost of the road on the curved
portion.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Purpose of Providing Superelevation in Roads
◂ To help the fast-moving vehicles to pass through a curved path
without overturning or skidding.
◂ To ensure the smooth and safe movement of vehicles and
passengers on the curved portion of the roads.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Advantages of Superelevation in Roads
◂ It allows running of the vehicle at high speed on a curved path
as on a straight path without any danger of overturning, and
results in increased volume of car movement.
◂ It provides more or less even distribution of load on wheels,
hence uniform stress is offered on the foundation which results
in less wear on wheel tires and springs, as well as economy of
maintenance cost of road.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Advantages of Superelevation in Roads
◂ It also helps to keep the vehicles to their proper side of the
pavement, preventing collusion of vehicles moving in opposite
direction on a curved portion of the road.
◂ It provides drainage for the whole width of road towards the
inner side. Thus, no necessity of providing a side drain on the
outer side of the road.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ For Simple Curve
◂ Superelevation is uniformly applied to provide a smooth
transition from a normal crown section to a full superelevation
section.
◂ Two-thirds of superelevation runoff occurs prior to the PC and
then again after the PT.
◂ One-third of the superelevation runoff occurs on the curve
between the PC and the PT at each end of the curve.
◂ The rest of the curve is in a full superelevation section.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ For Spiral Curve
◂ Where spiral transition curves are used, the “full length of the
spiral is equal to the superelevation runoff”.
◂ The full superelevation is reached at the SC point and the
entire “circular curve is in a full superelevation” section.
◂ The “crown runoffs that transition from a normal crown to a
flat crown (and vice versa) occurs prior to the TS point and after
the ST point”.
◂ The “crown runoff that transitions from a flat crown to a
reverse crown is placed just after the TS point and before the
ST point”.
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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SUPERELEVATION
◂ Methods of Building Superelevation
◂ There are three different methods for attaining the
superelevation:
◂ Pavement revolved about the centerline
◂ Pavement revolved about the outer edge
◂ Pavement revolved about the inner edge
◂ The superelevation should be attained gradually over the full
length of the transition curve so that the design superelevation
is available at the starting point of the circular portion.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 FORMULAS FOR S.E.
If V = m/s If V = m/s

𝑉2 𝑉2
𝑒+𝑓 = 𝑒+𝑓 =
𝑔𝑅 127𝑅

◂ Maximum values for "𝒆" and assumption for "𝒇" depend on

climatic conditions, terrain configuration, type of area (urban or
rural), and frequency of slow moving vehicles.
◂ To provide smooth transition from normal pavement crown on
a tangent to full superelevation on the circular curve, a “spiral
curve” could be used.

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TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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TOPIC 2.2.2.1
Sample Problem for
Superelevation

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
◂ Two parallel tangents 10m apart are connected by a reversed
curve. The chord length from the PC to PT equals 120m.
1. Compute the length of the tangent with common direction.
2. Determine the equal radius of the reversed curve.
3. Compute the stationing of the PRC if the stationing of A at
the beginning of the tangent with common direction is
3+420m.

Note: Sample problems will be presented and solved through lecture videos.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
◂ Two parallel tangents 10m apart are connected by a reversed
curve. The chord length from the PC to PT equals 120m.
1. Compute the length of the tangent with common direction.
2. Determine the equal radius of the reversed curve.
3. Compute the stationing of the PRC if the stationing of A at
the beginning of the tangent with common direction is
3+420m.

Note: Sample problems will be presented and solved through lecture videos.

LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS

TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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“ ailure is a bend in the road, not the
end of the road. Learn from failure

”
and keep moving forward.

Roy Bennett
LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2
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THANK YOU
LECTURE NOTES IN GE 104: ENGINEERING SURVEYS
TOPIC 2.2. HORIZONTAL CURVES Part-2