Surveying

Parabolic Curves

Engr. Eric E. Floresca

Symmetrical parabolic curves

Figure:

Properties of symmetrical parabolic curves. The squared property of parabola is very useful

1. the vertical offsets from the tangent to the

curve are proportional to thesquares of the
distances from the point of tangency

2. the curve bisects the distance between the

BF = CD/2 H = ¼ CD BE = ½ BF
vertex and the midpoint of the long chord.

3. g1 – g2 = positive – summit curve:

g1 – g2 = negative – sag curve
4. the length of curve of a parabolic vertical
curve, refers to the horizontal distance from
the PC to PT

5. the stationing of a vertical parabolic curves location of the highest point of

is measured not along the curve but along a
the curve from PT
horizontal line.

6. the rate of change of slope is constant and is

equal to

7. the maximum offset H

8. Location of highest or lowest point of

the curve
location of the highest
point of the curve from PC
Problem:

1. a parabolic curve has a descending grade of -0.8% which meet an ascending grade
of 0.4% station 10+020. The maximum allowable change of grade per 20 m station is
0.15. elevation at station 10+020 is 240.60 m.

What is the length of the curve?. Ans: 160

Compute the elevation of the lowest point of
the curve. . Ans: 240.58

Compute the elevation at station 10+000. Ans: 240.65

2. a vertical summit parabolic curve has avertical offset of 0.375 m.
From the curve to the grade tangent at station 10+050. The curve has a
slope of +4% and -2% grades intersecting at the PI. The offset distance
of the curve at PI is equal to 1.5 m. If the stationiing at the PC is at
10+000

Compute the required length of the curve. Ans: 200

Compute the horizontal distance of the

vertical curve turning point from the point
of intersectionof the grades. Ans: 33.33
A vertical sag parabolic curve has a length of curve
of 420m. from A to B. The back tangent has a slope
of -3.2% and the point of intersection of the
tangents is at station 7 + 180 with an elevation of
998m. Find the elevation of point A.

Elev. at A = 998 + 210 (0.032)

Elev. at A = 1004.72 m.
A vertical summit parabolic curve AB has tangent
grades of +4.25% and -3.25% intersecting at
station 10+020, whose elevation is 998m. If the
length of curve AB equals 316m.find the elevation
of B.

Elev. B = 998 – 0.0325 (158)

Elev. B = 992.865 m.
Unsymmetrical
parabolic curve
Figure:

L1 = length of the parabolic curve on the left side of the vertex

L2 = length of the parabolic curve on the rigth side of the vertex
g1 = slope of backward tangent
g2 = slope of the forward tangent
Applying the squared property of parabola, in
2 H ( g1 − g 2 ) L2
= solving for the vertical offsets of the parabola.
L1 L1 + L2
Location of the highest or lowest point of the curve.

a.)from the PC when L1g1/2 < H

b.)from the PT when L1g1/2 >H

Problem:

1. An unsymmetrical parabolic curve has a forward tangent of -8% and

back tangent of +5%. The length of curve on the left side of the curve is
40 m. Long while that on the right side is 60 m. Long. The PC is at station
6+780and has an elevation of 110m. An outcrop is found at station
6+800 has an elevation of 108.40.

Compute the height of fill needed to cover the

. Ans: 2.21
outcrop

compute the elevation of curve at station Ans: 110.44

6+820.

Compute the elevation of the highest point of Ans: 110.642.

the curve.
2. a -3% grade meets a +5% grade near an underpass. In order to
maintain the minimumclearance allowed under the bridge and at the
same time introduce a vertical transitioncurve in the grade line, it is
necessary to use a curve that lies 200 m on one side of the vertex of the
straight grade and 100 m on the other. The station of the beginning of
the curve (200 m side)is 10+000and its elevation is 228 m.
Determine the elevation at the station 10+040.
Ans: 226.907

If the uphill edge of the under side of the

bridge is at the station 10+220 and at the
elevation 229.206 m what is the vertical
clearance under the bridge at this point?
Ans: 4.496

Determine the stationing of the lowest point of

the curve.

Ans: 10+206.37
A forward tangent having a slope 0f -4% intersect the back
tangent having a slope of +7% at point V at point V at
station 6+300having an elevation of 230 m. It is required
to connect the two tangents with an unsymmetrical
parabolic curve that shall pass through point A on the
curve having an elevation of 227.57m at station 6+270.
the lenght of the curve is 60m on the side of the back
tangent.

Determine the length of the curve on Determine the elevation of

the side of the forward tangent the highest point of the
curve

Determine the stationing of the highest point

of the curve