REVERSED CURVES

A reversed curve is a curve that consists of two or more consecutive simple curves with equal or different radius having a
common tangent but whose centers lie on the opposite direction. O2

I2

R2 D2

A (V1)
I1

T1 20m T1
Lc1
P.R.C. CL2 P.T.
P.C.
CL1
Lc2 20m
T2 T2

I2
B (V2)
D1

R1 R1

I1

O1
ELEMENTS OF A REVERSED CURVE:
Point of Reversed Curve (PRC) Common Tangent (AB)
The point located at the common tangent where the two simple curves The tangent where the two simple curves join.
join.
𝐓𝐀𝐁 = 𝐓𝟏 + 𝐓𝟐

Point of Curvature (PC) Length of Compound Curve (Lcc)

The point of curvature is the point where the reversed curve begins. It is The total length of curve from the P.C. to the P.T.
the point of tangency where the reversed curve leaves the backward
tangent. 𝐋𝐜𝐜 = 𝐋𝐜𝟏 + 𝐋𝐜𝟐

Point of Tangency (PT) T1 and T2

The point of tangency is the point where the reversed curve ends. It is The tangent distances of the first and second curve, respectively.
the point of tangency where the reversed curve meets the forward
tangent. R1 and R2
The radius of the first and second curve, respectively.
CL1 and CL2 I1 and I2
The chord lengths of the first and second curve, respectively. The central angles of the first and second curve, respectively.
A (V1) and B (V2)
The points of intersection or vertices of the first and second curve, respectively.

Prepared by:Engr. Jhed Chan Uy Jambongana Page 1

Faculty, CIT-U – CE Department
SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
REVERSED CURVE with PARALLEL TANGENTS
A reversed curve has radii of curve of 200m and 460m passing through P.C. and P.T., respectively. If the central angle of the
curves is 12°, Find the: O2
a. Length of the common tangent
b. Perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents
c. Stationing of P.R.C. and P.T. if P.C. is at 2+360.20m
12°

2+360.20m

A (V1)
P.C.
R2 = 460m
Lc1
T1

P.R.C.
d d=?
R1 = 200m
T2
Lc2
I2=12°
P.T.
C B (V2)

12°

O1
Solution:
A. B. STATIONING OF P.R.C.
TANGENT DISTANCE OF CURVE 1 Considering triangle A-B-C: Sta. of P.R.C. = (Sta. of P.C.) + Lc1
I1 d
T1 = R1 tan sin I2 = T = (2 + 360.20) + 41.89
2 AB
12° d Sta. of P.R.C. = 2 + 402.09m ANS.
T1 = 200 tan 2 sin 12° = 69.37
𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟎𝟐 𝐦 d = 14.42 m ANS.
TANGENT DISTANCE OF CURVE 2 C. STATIONING OF P.T.
I2 LENGTH OF CURVE 1
T2 = R 2 tan 2 Sta. of P.T. = (Sta. of P.R.C.) + Lc2
π
12° Lc1 = R1 I1 ( ) = (2 + 402.09) + 96.34
T2 = 460 tan 2 180°
π Sta. of P.T. = 2 + 498.43m ANS.
Lc1 = 200(12°)( )
𝐓𝟐 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟑𝟓 𝐦 180°
𝐋𝐜𝟏 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟖𝟗 𝐦
COMMON TANGENT TAB LENGTH OF CURVE 2
π
TAB = T1 + T2 Lc2 = R 2 I2( )
180°
= 21.02 + 48.35 Lc2 = 460(12°)(180°)
π
TAB = 69.37 m ANS.
𝐋𝐜𝟐 = 𝟗𝟔. 𝟑𝟒 𝐦

Prepared by:Engr. Jhed Chan Uy Jambongana Page 2

Faculty, CIT-U – CE Department
REVERSED CURVE with CONVERGING or DIVERGING TANGENTS
Two converging tangents have azimuths (South) of 300° and 270°, respectively, while that of the common tangent is 320°.
The distance from the point of intersection of the tangents to the vertex of the second curve, with stationing 10+432.24m, is 160 m.
If the degree of curve of the first curve is 4.02°, determine the stationing of P.C., P.R.C, and P.T.
300°

320°

P.C.
` T1
A (V1)
O2
Lc1 20°
T1
R2 I2
R1
P.R.C.
R2

T2
Lc2
R1 270° C
B (V2) T2 P.T.
I1
10 + 432.24m 160 m

O1
Solution:
CENTRAL ANGLE I1 COMMON TANGENT TAB LENGTH OF CURVE 1
π
I1 = 320° - 300° Considering triangle A-B-C: Lc1 = R1 I1 (180°)
I1 = 20° π
Lc1 = 285.05(20°)(180°)
A
320°
CENTRAL ANGLE I2 𝐋𝐜𝟏 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟓𝟎 𝐦
I2 = 320° - 270° I1 = 20°
LENGTH OF CURVE 2
I2 = 50° TAB π
Lc2 = R 2 I2(180°)
I2 = 50° 130° π
RADIUS OF CURVE 1 270° 30° C Lc2 = 393.82(50°)(180°)
1145.916
R1 = 4.02° B 𝐋𝐜𝟐 = 𝟑𝟒𝟑. 𝟔𝟕 𝐦
I2 = 320° - 270° = 50°
𝐑 𝟏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟓. 𝟎𝟓 𝐦
STATIONING OF P. C.
TANGENT DISTANCE OF CURVE 1 160 m Sta. of P. C. = (Sta. of B) – T2 – Lc1
I1 by Sine Law, = (10 + 432.24) – 183.64 – 99.50
T1 = R1 tan 2 TAB 160 m
20° sin 30°
= sin 20° 160 m Sta. of P.C. = 10 + 149.10m ANS.
T1 = 285.05 tan 2 𝐓𝐀𝐁 = 𝟐𝟑𝟑. 𝟗𝟎 𝐦
𝐓𝟏 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟐𝟔 𝐦
TANGENT DISTANCE OF CURVE 2 STATIONING OF P.R.C.
TAB = T1 + T2 Sta. of P.R.C. = (Sta. of B) – T2
233.90 = 50.26 + 48.35 = (10 + 432.24) – 183.64
T2 = 183.64 m Sta. of P.R.C. = 10 + 248.60m ANS.
RADIUS OF CURVE 2 STATIONING OF P.T.
I2
T2 = R 2 tan 2 Sta. of P.T. = (Sta. of P.R.C.) + Lc2
50° = (10 + 248.60) + 343.67
183.64 = R 2 tan
2 Sta. of P.C. = 10 + 592.27m ANS.
𝐑 𝟐 = 𝟑𝟗𝟑. 𝟖𝟐 𝐦
NOTE:
Based on the computed values, Curve 2 has longer Radius and Length of Curve than
Curve 1. Thus, the ASSUMED figure is NOT drawn as per given values of the problem.

Prepared by:Engr. Jhed Chan Uy Jambongana Page 3

Faculty, CIT-U – CE Department