SIMPLE CURVES

RAILROAD AND HIGHWAY CURVES

In highway or railroad construction, the curves most generally used

presently are circular curves although parabolic and other curves are
sometimes used. These types of curves are classified as Simple,
Compound, Reversed or Spiral curves.

A. Simple Curve
A simple curve is a circular arc, extending from one tangent to the next.
The point where the curve leaves the first tangent is called the “point of
curvature” (P.C.) and the point where the curve joins the second tangent is
called the “point of tangency” (P.T.). The P.C. and P.T. are often called the
tangent points. If the tangent be produced, they will meet in a point of
intersection called the “vertex”. The distance from the vertex to the P.C. or
P.T. is called the “tangent distance”. The distance from the vertex to the
curve is called “external distance” (measured towards the center of
curvature). While the line joining the middle of the curve and the middle of
the chord line joining the P.C. and P.T. is called “middle ordinate”.

GEOMETRY OF THE CIRCULAR CURVES:

In the study of the curves, the following geometric principles should be
emphasized:
1. An inscribed angle is measured by one half its intercepted arc.

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 1
¿ ACB= < AOB
2

2. Inscribed angles having the same or equal intercepted arcs are equal.

¿ ADB=¿ ACB

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3. An angle formed by a tangent and a chord is measured by one half its
intercepted arc.

1
¿ BAC= < ADC
2

4. Tangent from an external point a circle are equal.

AB = BC

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5. Angle whose sides are perpendicular each to each are either equal or
supplementary.

¿ ABC=¿ FED

SHARPNESS OF THE CURVE IS EXPRESSED

IN ANY OF THE THREE WAYS:

1. Degree of Curve: (Arc basis)

Degree of curve is the angle at the center subtended by an arc of 20 m. is
the Metric system or 100 ft. in the English system. This is the method
generally used in Highway practice.

a. Metric System:

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By ratio and proportion:
20 2 πR
=
D 360
360(20)
D=
2 πR
1145.916
D=
R

b. English System

100 2 πR
=
D 360
360(100)
D=
2 πR
1145.916 (5)
D=
R
(5 times metric system)

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 5729.58
D=
R

2. Degree of Curve: (Chord Basis)

Degree of curve is the angle subtended by a chord of 20 meters in Metric
System of 100 ft. in English System.

a. Metric System:

D 10
sin =
2 R
10
R=
D
sin
2

b. English System:

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 D 50
sin =
2 R
50
R=
D
sin
2

3. Radius = Length of radius is stated

Elements of a simple curve:
P.C. = point of curvature
P.T. = point of tangency
P.I. = point of intersection
R = radius of the curve
D = degree of the curve
T = tangent distance
I = angle of intersection
E = external distance
M = middle ordinate
Lc = length of the curve
C = long chord
c1 and c2 = sub-chord
d1 and d2 = sub-angle

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1. Tangent distance:
I T
tan =
2 R
I
T =R tan
2

2. External distance:
I R
cos =
2 OV
I
OV =R Sec
2

E = OV – R
I
E = R Sec 2 – R

I
(
E = R Sec 2 – 1 )

3. Middle Ordinate:
I AO
cos =
2 B
I
AO = R cos 2

M = R – AO
I
M = R – R cos 2

I
(
M = R 1−cos 2 )

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4. Length of Chord:
C
I 2
sin =
2 R
I
C = 2R sin 2

5. Length of Curve:

LC 20
=
I D
20 I
Lc = D (metric)

LC 100
=
I D
100 I
Lc = (English)
D

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6. Sub-arc: (Arc basis)

C1 C
=
d1 D
C1 D
d 1= (degrees)
C
d1 C1 D
= (60) (minutes)
2 2C
d 1 C 1 D(60)
= (metric system)
2 2(20)
d1
= 1.5 C1D
2
d 1 C 1 D ( 60 )
=
2 2 ( 100 )
d1
= 0.3 C1D (English system)
2

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Problem 1:
A circular road having a curve of 8° curvature is to be 6 m. wide on the
tangents and 6.75 m. wide along the main part of the curve. The P.C. is at
station 5+100 and widening is to be completed at station 5+115.

1. Compute the stationing of the P.C. of the approach curve at the inner
edge.
2. Compute the radius of the approach curve at the inner edge.
3. Compute the degree of curve of the approach curve at the inner edge.

Problem 2:
A horizontal curve with radius equal to 220 m. and intersection angle of 126
° is to be realigned by rotating the forward tangent through an angle of 22 °
counterclockwise along the P.T. If the azimuths of the back and forward
tangents are 220° and 346° respectively, stationing of old P.C. is
10+721.20.

1. Compute the central angle of the new curve.

2. Compute the radius of the new curve.
3. What is the stationing of the new P.C.

Problem 3:

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A 7’ circular turnout is to connect a railway track, leading due east, to the
mouth of the tunnel which is 70 m. from station 7+812 as shown in the
figure. Use chord basis.

1. Determine the stationing of the point of deviation.

2. Determine the stationing of the mouth of the tunnel.
3. What is the direction of the railway in the tunnel if it used for hauling.

Problem 4:
An 8° simple curve connecting two tangent that intersect at an angle of 88 °
is to be replaced by a symmetrical three centered compound curve at the
center having 6’ end curves and a 10° curve at the center maintaining the
same P.C. Use chord basis.

1. Find the central angle of the 10° center curve.

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2. Find the central angle of the 6° end curves.
3. Find the stationing of the P.T. if P.C. is at 10+185.42.

Problem 5:
Three tangent lines AB, BC, and CD of a traverse have azimuths of 228 °
15’, 253° 30’ and 315° 18’ respectively. The stationing of B is (10+585) and
that of C is (10+885). A proposed highway curve is to connect these three
tangents.

1. Compute the radius of the simple curve that connects these tangents.
2. Compute the stationing of the P.C.
3. Compute the length of curve from P.C. to P.T.

Problem 6:
The radius of a simple curve is twice its tangents distance, if the degree of
curve is 4° .

1. What is the angle of intersection of the curve.

2. Compute the length of the curve.
3. Determine the area enclosed by the curve.

Problem 7:
A simple curve having a radius of 229.18 m. has a back tangent of N. 28 °
E. and a forward tangent of N. 66° E. A property line running parallel to the
back tangent crosses the centerline of the curve at a distance of 10 m. from
it. If the P.C. of the curve is at 10+120.60.

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1. What is the deflection angle at the point of intersection of the property
line and the curve measured from the tangent at sta. 10+120.60.
2. What is the stationing at the point of intersection of the property line and
the curve?
3. Compute the chord distance from P.C. to the point of intersection of the
property line and the curve?

Problem 8:
A simple curve has a central angle of 40° . The stationing at the point of
curvature is equal to 10+060. The offset distance from the P.T. to the
tangent line passing thru the P.C. is 80 m. long.

1. Compute the tangent distance of the curve.

2. Compute the degree of curve.
3. The deflection angle from the tangent at the P.C. to point B on the curve
is equal to 8° what would be the stationing of point B.

Problem 9:
The deflection angles of two intermediate R and S on the curve measured
from the tangent passing through the P.C. are 6° 15’ and 12° 15’
respectively. The chord distance between R and S is 20 m. (Standard in
metric system) while the long chord is 100 m. long.

1. Compute the radius curve.

2. Compute the angle of intersection of the simple curve.

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3. Compute the tangent distance.

Problem 10:
The length of curve of a simple curve having a degree of curve 4 ° is equal
to 210 m.

1. Compute the middle ordinate of the curve.

2. Compute the external distance of the curve.
3. Compute the are of the fillet of the curve.

Problem 11:
The tangent thru the P.C. has a direction due north and the tangent through
the P.T. has a bearing of N. 50° E. It has a radius of 200 m. Using arc
basis. Stationing of P.C. is 12+060.

1. Compute the tangent distance of the curve.

2. Compute the long chord of the curve.
3. If a line making an angle of 62° with the tangent thru the P.C. intersects
of the curve at point B, what is the stationing of B if this line passes through
the center of the curve.

Problem 12:
A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a degree of curve of 6° .

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1. Find the nearest distance from the mid-point of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents.
2. Compute the distance from the mid-point of the curve to the mid-point of
the curve to the mid-point of the long chord joining the point of tangency
and point of curvature.
3. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 10+020, compute the
stationing at a point on the curve which intersects with the line making a
deflection angle of 8° with the tangent through the P.C.

Problem 13:
A simple curve connects two tangents AB and BC with bearings N 85 ° 30’ E
and S 68° 30’ E respectively. If the stationing of the vertex is 4+360.2 and
the stationing of PC is 4+288.4.

1. Determine the radius.

2. Determine the external distance.
3. Determine the middle ordinate.
4. Determine the chord distance.
5. Determine the length of curve.

Problem 14:
A simple curve connects two tangents AB and BC with bearings N 85 ° 30’ E
and S 68° 30’ E respectively. Point D along line AB has a coordinate of
20100 N and 20100 E while point E along line BC has coordinates of
20086.55 N and 20184.27 E.

1. Find the distance of line BD.

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2. Solve for the degree of simple curve that shall be tangent to the three
lines AB, DE, and BC.
3. If point D is at station 1+052.87 determine the stationing PT.

Problem 15:
Two tangents AB and BC intersect at an angle of 24° . A point P is located
21.03 m from point B and has a perpendicular distance of 2.79 m from line
AB.

1. Calculate the radius of the simple curve connecting the two tangents and
passing point P.
2. Find the length of chord connecting PC and point P.
3. Compute the area bounded by the curve and the tangent lines.

Problem 16:
The offset distance of the simple curve from the P.T. to the tangent line
passing through the P.C. is equal to 120.20 m. The stationing of P.C. is at
2+540.26. The simple curve has an angle of intersection of 50 ° .

1. Compute the degree of curve.

2. Compute the external distance.
3. Compute the length of long chord.

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Problem 17:
A simple curve has a radius of 286.48 m. Its distance from P.C. to P.T.
along the curve is equal to 240 m.

1. Compute the central angle of the curve. Use arc basis.

2. Compute the distance from the mid-point of the long chord to the mid-
point of the curve.
3. Compute the area bounded by the tangents and the portion outside the
central curve in acres.

Problem 18:
A sample curve have tangents AB and BC intersecting at a common point
B. AB has an azimuth of 180° and BC has an azimuth of 230° . The
stationing of the point of curvature at A is 10+140.26. If the degree of curve
of the simple is 4° .

1. Compute the length of the long chord from A.

2. Compute the tangent distance AB of the curve.
3. Compute the stationing of a point “x” on the curve on which a line
passing through the center of the curve makes an angle of 58 ° with the line
AB, intersects the curve at point “x”.

Problem 19:
A 5° curve intersects a property line CD at point D. The back tangent
intersects the property line at point C which is 105.27 m. from the P.C.
which is at station 2+040. The angle that the property line CD makes with
the back tangent is 110° 50’.

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1. Compute the length of curve from the P.C. to the point of intersection of
the line from the center of the curve to point C and the curve.
2. Compute the distance CD.
3. Compute the stationing of point D on the curve.

Problem 20:
The tangents of a simple curve have bearings of N. 20° E. and N. 80° E.
respectively. The radius of the curve is 200 m.

1. Compute the external distance of the curve.

2. Compute the middle ordinate of the curve.
3. Compute the stationing of point A on the curve having a deflection angle
of 6° from the P.C. which is at 1+200.00.

Problem 21:
A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a degree of curve of 6° .

1. Find the nearest distance from the mid-point of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents.
2. Compute the distance from the mid-point of the curve to the mid-point of
the long chord joining the point of curvature and point of tangency.
3. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 10+020, compute the
stationing of a point on the curve which intersects with the line making a
deflection angle of 8° with the tangent through the P.C.

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