Worked Examples (VERY IMPORTANT)

Worked Example 1:
Determine the ruling minimum radius of the horizontal curve of a national highway in plain terrain for
a ruling design speed of 100km/hour with e = 0.07 and f=0.15.
Solution:
𝑉2
𝑒+𝑓 =
127𝑅𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

1002
(0.07 + 0.15) =
127𝑅𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝑅𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 = (0.07 + 0.15) × 127 ÷ (1002 )

= 358m = 360m
Example 2:
The design speed for a National Highway is 100 kmph. If the maximum permissible superelevation
is 0.10 and the lateral friction is 0.15. Determine the ruling minimum radius of horizontal curve
on the highway.

Solution:
The ruling minimum radius of horizontal curve is given by;
𝑉2
𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
127(𝜃 + 𝑓)

(100)2
𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
127(0.10 + 0.15)

= 314.96m = 315.0 m

1
Example 3:
For a horizontal curve, the radius of a circular curve is obtained as 300m, with the design speed as
15 m/s. If the allowable jerk is 0.75 m/s3. Determine the minimum length (in m) of the transition
curve.
Solution:
Radius of circular curve (R) = 300 m
𝑉𝑑 = 15 𝑚/𝑠
Allowable jerk (C) = 0.75 m/sec3

𝑣3
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
𝐶𝑅
(15)3
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 15𝑚
0.75 × (300)
Therefore, minimum length of transition curve = 15 m

Example 4:
A parabolic vertical crest curve connects two road segments with grades +1.0% and -2.0%. if a
200m stopping sight distance is needed for a driver at a height of 1.2m to avoid an obstacle of
height 0.15m. Determine the curve length.
Solution:
Given that, 𝑛1 = +1 and 𝑛2 = −2
𝑛 = 𝑛1 − 𝑛2 = 3
SSD = 200m, and
ℎ1 = 1.2𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ2 = 0.15𝑚
As given n1 up gradient and n2 – down gradient
So curve is summit curve
Assume L > SSD
𝑁 𝑆2
𝐿=
2(√𝑛1 + √𝑛2 )2

2
 𝑁 𝑆2
𝐿=
2(√𝑛1 + √𝑛2 )2
3 (100)2
𝐿= +
100 2(√1.2 + √0.15)2

= 272.91 > 200

Example 5:
A road is designed for a speed of 110 km/hr on a horizontal curve with super elevation of 8%. If
the coefficient of side friction is 0.10.
Determine the minimum radius (in m) required for safe vehicular movement.
Solution:
(0.278𝑉)2
𝑒+𝑓 =
𝑔𝑅

(𝑉)2
𝑒+𝑓 =
127𝑅

(𝑉)2
𝑅=
127(𝑒 + 𝑓)

(110)2
𝑅= = 𝟓𝟐𝟖. 𝟓𝒎
127(0.08 + 0.1)

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Example 6:
The radius of a horizontal circular curve on a highway is 120m. The design speed is 60 km/hour,
and the design coefficient of lateral friction between the tyres and the road surface is 0.15. the
estimated value of superelevation required (for full lateral friction to develop).
Determine the value of coefficient of friction needed if no superelevation is needed.
Solution:
Given, R = 120m, V = 60Km/h, and f = 0.15

𝑉2
𝑒+𝑓 =
127𝑅

602
𝑒 + 0.15 =
127 × 120
1
𝑒=
11.6
Also, if e = 0,

𝑉2 602
Then, 𝑓= =
127𝑅 127×120
= 0.24

Example 7:
A crest vertical curve joins two gradients of +3% and -2% for a design speed of 80 km/h and the
corresponding stopping sight distance of 120m. The height of driver’s eye and the object above
the road surface are 1.20m and 0.15m respectively. Determine the curve length that is less than the
stopping sight distance to be provided.
Solution:
When the curve length is less than stopping sight distance, then it is given by;
4.4
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
4.4
𝐿 = 2 × 120 − = 240 − 88 = 𝟏𝟓𝟐𝒎
0.03 − (−0.02)

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Example 8:
The stopping sight distance (SSD) for a level highway is 140m for the design speed of 90 km/h.
The acceleration due to gravity and deceleration rate are 9.81 m/s2 and 3.5 m/s2 respectively.
Determine the perception (reaction) time used in the calculation of SSD.
Solution:
SSD = 140 m
V = 90 km/h
a = 3.5 m/s2

𝑉2
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 𝑉𝑡𝑅 +
2𝑔𝑓

𝑎 = 𝑔𝑓

2
5
((18 × 90) )
5
140 = ( × 90 × 𝑡𝑅 ) +
18 2 × 3.5

𝒕𝑹 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟐𝟖 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔

Example 9:
A highway designed for 80 km/h speed has a horizontal curve section with radius 250m. If the
designed lateral friction is assumed to be fully developed, determine the required super elevation.
Solution:
V = 80 km/h
R = 250 m

𝑉2
𝑒+𝑓 =
127𝑅
802
𝑒 + 0.15 =
127 × 250
𝑒 = 0.051

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Example 10:
The design speed of a two-lane two-way road is 60 km/h and the longitudinal coefficient of friction
is 0.36. The reaction time of a driver is 2.5 seconds. Take acceleration due to gravity as 9.8 m/s2.
Determine the intermediate sight distance required for the road.
Solution:
Given;
f = 0.36
v = 60km
g = 9.8m/s2
tR = 2.5s

𝑉2
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278𝑉𝑡𝑅 +
254𝑓

602
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 60 × 2.5 +
254 × 0.36
= 41.7 + 39.37 = 81m
ISD = 2 × SSD
= 81 × 2 = 162 m