Vertical Curves:

Calculations of Curve
Elevations
 Stations & Elevations of Vertical
Curves

BVC = Begin of Vertical Curve

EVC = End of Vertical Curve
11 PVI = Point of Vertical Intersect
P = Any point on the curve
8
 Properties of Parabolic Vertical
Curve
Why Parabola? Has a
constant rate of change
of slope, i.e. it enables
a comfortable transition
from one grade to
another.

11
9
 Parabola Equation

• Equation of the parabola:

A

Elev.p = Elev. BVC + g1.x + (r/2) X2

• Change of grade: A = g2 - g1
• Rate of change: r = A/L

12
0
 Types of Curves

1) Symmetrical curve,
L= L/2 + L/2
(equal tangent)

2) Unsymmetrical curve,
L= l1 + l2
12 (unequal tangent)
1
 Highest & Lowest Points on
Vertical Curve

g1 = g2

St. PVI = St. high/low pt.

Elev. BVC = Elev. EVC

g1 ≠ g2

St. PVI ≠ St. high/low pt.

12
Elev. BVC ≠ Elev. EVC
2
 Example (1)

A parabolic vertical curve having a length= 400m used to connect two

grades the first = +4%, the second= -5%. Elevation and station of the
point of intersection are 30m and 200m, respectively. Find the station
and elevation of the highest point on the curve from BVC?
Solution:
PVI
Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1.x
Elev. BVC = 30 - 0.04*200 =22 m
L = 400m
r =A/L = (-0.05 – 0.04) / 400 = - 0.09/ 400

Station of highest point (Xhp):

Xhp = 178 m
12 Elev.hp = Elev. BVC + g1.x + r/2 X2
3 = 22 + 0.04* 178 + ((- 0.09/ 400)/ 2)* 1782 = 25.56 m
 Example (2)

A 350 m long sag vertical curve (equal tangent) has a BVC at

station 3+040 and elevation 280 m. The initial grade is -3.5% and
the final grade is +6.5%. Determine the elevation and stationing
of the low point, PVI, and EVC. BVC
Solution: Elev. = 280 m L = 350m
St. = 3+040
g2= 6.5%
g1= -3.5%
r =A/L = (0.065 – (-0.035)) / 350 = 0.1/ 350
Station of lowest point (Xlp):

Xlp = 122.5 m from BVC

Elev.lp = Elev. BVC + g1.x + r/2 X2
12 = 280 + (-0.035* 122.5) + ((0.1/ 350)/ 2)* 122.52 = 277.86 m
4
 Example (2)

Elev. PVI = Elev. BVC + g1.x

Elev. p = Elev. BVC + g1.x + (r/2) x2 =
Elev. EVC =

St. LP = St. BVC +Xlp = 3040 + 122.5 = (3+ 162.5)

St. PVI = St. BVC + L/2 =
St. EVC = St. BVC + L =

Points Station Elevation, (m)

Lp 3+ 162.5 277.86
12 PVI
5 EVC
 Calculations of Curve
Elevations :
Symmetrical Curve

12
 1) Rate of Change of Grade Method

Symmetrical curve
L = L/2 + L/2

• Change of grade: A = g2 - g1 (not the absolute value)

• Rate of change: r = A/L
• Equation of the parabola:
Elev. p = Elev. BVC + g1.X + (r/2) X2
12
7 • Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1*X (use sign of grade)
 Elevation and Station of High (hp)
or Low Point (lp) on V.C.
g1 = g2
St. PVI = St. high/low pt.

g1 ≠ g2
St. PVI ≠ St. high/low pt.

g1 g1 L
g1L • Where: Xhp/lp = Distance to high
X (hp or lp) = − = − =− point (hp) or low point (lp).
r A g2 - g1
• Negative Xhp/lp value ……. means
12 Elev. hp or lp = Elev. BVC −
(g1)2 there is no high or low point.
8 2r
 Example: Using Rate of Change of Grade Method
⚫ A parabolic vertical curve having a length= 400m used to
connect two grades the first = +4%, the second= -5%. Elevation
and station (from BVC) of the point of intersection are 30m and
200m, respectively. Find the elevation of points on the curve
every 50m from BVC. Also, find the station and elevation of the
highest point on the curve?
Solution: PVI

Elev.p = Elev. BVC + g1.X + (r/2) X2

L = 400m
Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1.x
Elev. BVC = 30 - 0.04*200 =22 m
12 ⚫ r =A/L = (-0.05 – 0.04) / 400 = - 0.09/ 400 = -0.000225

9
 Example: …. Cont.
Station, g1.X (r/2)X2
Elev P (m) diff. 1 diff. 2
X (m) (m) (m)
0 0 0 22 -1.72 -0.56
50 2 -0.28 23.72 -1.16 -0.56
Elev.p = Elev. BVC + 100 4 -1.13 24.88 -0.59 -0.56
g1.X + (r/2) X2
150 6 -2.53 25.47 -0.03 -0.56
200 8 -4.50 25.50 0.53 -0.56
250 10 -7.03 24.97 1.09 -0.56
300 12 -10.13 23.88 1.66 -0.56
350 14 -13.78 22.22 2.22
400 16 -18.00 20.00

Distance from highest point (Xhp) to BVC:

Xhp = 178 m
13 Elev.hp = Elev. BVC + g1. Xhp + (r/2) Xhp 2
0 = 22 + 0.04* 178 + (-0.000225/ 2)* 1782 = 25.56 m
 2) Offset Method

• Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1* (L/2) PVI

IP
• Elev. EVC = Elev. PVI + g2* (L/2)
(use sign of grade)
h e

LA
e = Mid Ordinate = e
TP2
8 TP1
BVC EVC
IP
4 e x2
h = Offset =
L2
h e

• A = (g2-g1) (not the absolute value) Direction of travel

e
• L = total curve length TP1 TP2
• x = Horizontal distance to offsets from BVC
13
• Note: Offset is (-ve) for crest curves and (+ve) for sag curves.
1
 Elevations on Tangent (Grade) and
on Curve
Elevation on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h) (use sign of h)
Elev. on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 X (use sign of grade, depending on direction of travel)

PVI
g1L
h2
h1
Crest curve X1g1
X2g1
BVC X1
EVC
x2
Grade Elev.
Elev. BVC
Curve Elev.
Datum
 Elevations on Tangent (Grade) and
on Curve
Elevation on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h) (use sign of h)
Elev. on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 X (use sign of first grade)

x
TP1
TP1
BVC EVC
TP2
g1x
Xg1/100

h
h e

Sag curve Elev. BVC

Curve Elev g1L
Grade Elev PVI
IP
Elev. EVC

13
Datum
3
 Example: Using Offset Method

⚫ A parabolic vertical curve having a length= 400m used to

connect two grades the first = +4%, the second= -5%. Elevation
and station of the point of intersection are 30m and 200m,
respectively. Find the elevation of points on the curve every
50m from BVC.
Find the station and elevation of the highest point on the curve?
Solution:
Elev. BVC = 30 - 0.04*200 =22 m • Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1* (L/2)
• Elev. EVC = Elev. PVI + g2* (L/2)
Elev. EVC = 30 - 0.05*200 =20 m
A = (g2-g1) = (-0.05 – 0.04) = -0.09 (use sign of grade)
LA 400 *(-0.09)
13 e = Mid Ordinate2= = = −4.5m
4ex 8 8
4 *(-4.5) x2
h = Offset = = = −0.0001125 x 2
4 L2 (400)2
 Example: …. Cont.

Elev on
Station, X 2 h= -0.0001125 Elev on
X g1.X (m) Tangent diff. 1 diff. 2
(m) X2 Curve (m)
(m)
0 0 0.00 0 22.00 -1.72 -0.56
50 2500 -0.28 2 24 23.72 -1.16 -0.56
100 10000 -1.13 4 26 24.88 -0.59 -0.56
150 22500 -2.53 6 28 25.47 -0.03 -0.56
200 40000 -4.50 8 30 25.50 0.53 -0.56
250 62500 -7.03 10 32 24.97 1.09 -0.56
300 90000 -10.13 12 34 23.88 1.66 -0.56
350 122500 -13.78 14 36 22.22 2.22
400 160000 -18.00 16 38 20.00
⚫ High Point : xhp = - g1L/A = -0.04*400/(-0.05-0.04) = 178 m
⚫ Elev. on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 Xhp = 22 + (0.04*178) = 29.12 m
13 ⚫ Elev. hp on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h) = 29.12 + (-0.0001125*
5 1782 ) = 25.56 m
 Example 2:

A symmetrical sag curve has the following data: L=800m, g1=-1%,

g2=2.2%, and St and Elev of PVI are (52+00) and (422.34m),
respectively. Find elevation at points on the curve every 100m from
BVC by:
1) Using the rate of grade change method.
2) Using the offset method.
L= 800m

g1= -1% g2= 2.2%

13 PVI
Elev. = 422.34 m
St. = 52+00
6
 Example 2: Solution, Using the rate of grade change
method

Elev.p = Elev. BVC + g1.X + (r/2) X2

⚫ Elev. BVC = 422.34 – (-0.01)*400 =426.34 m

⚫ r =A/L = (0.022 – (-0.01)) / 800 = 0.00004

g1
Station of lowest point (Xlp): X (lp) = − = − - 0.01
r 0.00004
Xlp = 250 m

Elev.lp = Elev. BVC + g1. Xlp + (r/2) Xlp 2

= 426.34 + (-0.01)* 250 + ( 0.00004)/ 2)* 2502 = 425.09 m
13
7
 Example 2: Solution, Using the rate of grade change
method

g1.X (r/2)X2
Station X (m) Elev P (m) diff. 1 diff. 2
(m) (m)
4800 0 0 0.00 426.34 0.80 0.40 BVC
4900 100 -1 0.20 425.54 0.40 0.40
5000 200 -2 0.80 425.14 0.00 0.40
lp
5100 300 -3 1.80 425.14 -0.40 0.40
5200 400 -4 3.20 425.54 -0.80 0.40 PVI
5300 500 -5 5.00 426.34 -1.20 0.40
5400 600 -6 7.20 427.54 -1.60 0.40
5500 700 -7 9.80 429.14 -2.00
5600 800 -8 12.80 431.14 EVC

13
8
 Example 2: Solution, Using the offset method

• Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1* (L/2) L= 800m

• Elev. EVC = Elev. PVI + g2* (L/2)
(use sign of grade)
g1= -1% g2= 2.2%

PVI
Elev. BVC= 422.34– (-0.01)*400 =426.34 m Elev. = 422.34 m
Elev. EVC= 422.34+ (0.022)*400 =431.14 m St. = 52+00
A = (g2-g1) = (0.022 – (-0.01)) = 0.032

LA 800 *(0.032)
e = Mid Ordinate = = = 3.2m
8 8
2 2
13 h = Offset = 4 e x
=
4 *(3.2) x
= 0.00002 x 2
2
L (800)2
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 Example 2: Solution, Using the offset method

Elevation on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h) (use sign of h)

Elev. on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 X (use sign of first grade)

⚫ Lowest Point : xlp = - g1L/A = - (-0.01)*800/ 0.032 = 250 m

⚫ Elev. Lp on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 Xlp = 426.34 + (-0.01*250) = 423.84m

⚫ Elev. Lp on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h)

= 423.84 + (0.00002* 2502 ) = 425.09 m

14
0
 Example 2: Solution, Using the offset method

Elevation on curve = Elevation on tangent + Offset (h) (use sign of h)

Elev. on tangent = Elev. BVC + g1 X (use sign of first grade)

Elev on Elev on Curve

Station, X (m) X2 h= 0.00002 X2 g1.X (m) diff. 1 diff. 2
Tangent (m) (m)
0 0 0.00 0 426.34 426.34 0.80 0.40 BVC
100 10000 0.20 -1 425.34 425.54 0.40 0.40
200 40000 0.80 -2 424.34 425.14 0.00 0.40
300 90000 1.80 -3 423.34 425.14 -0.40 0.40 lp
400 160000 3.20 -4 422.34 425.54 -0.80 0.40 PVI
500 250000 5.00 -5 421.34 426.34 -1.20 0.40
600 360000 7.20 -6 420.34 427.54 -1.60 0.40
700 490000 9.80 -7 419.34 429.14 -2.00
800 640000 12.80 -8 418.34 431.14 EVC

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1
 Calculation of Curve
Elevations :
Unsymmetrical Curve

14
 Unsymmetrical Curve Elevations

2) Unsymmetrical curve
L= l1 + l2 A L2
r1 = *
• Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1* l1 L L1
• Elev. EVC = Elev. PVI + g2* l2
A L1
(use sign of grade) r2 = *
L L2
r1 r1 2
e= (L1)2 x
2 + 2
r2
e= (L2)2
2

Elev. p = Elev.BVC + g1.X

14 Elev. p = Elev.EVC − g 2.X r2 2
x
3 + 2
(use sign of grade)
 Example (1):

⚫ In the following symmetrical curve, find the highest point location and
elevation? Elevation and station of BVC are 109m and 94+00,
respectively. PVI
Solution:
BVC
r= A/L = (-0.04-0.03)/800 = -0.0000875 L = 800m
X(hp) = -g1/r = -0.03/ -0.0000875 = 342.86 m from BVC

St. highest point = 9400 + 342.86 = (97+42.86)

Elev.hp = Elev. BVC + g1. Xhp + r/2 Xhp 2

= 109 + 0.03* 342.86 + ((- 0.0000875)/ 2)* 342.862 = 114.14 m
14
4
 Example (2):

⚫ In the following unsymmetrical curve, find the highest point location and
elevation? The elevation and station of BVC and EVC are 110.2m, 112.2
and 92+00, 99+00 , respectively.
Solution:
r1 = A * L2 r2 = A * L1 PVI
L L1 L L2
r1 = - 0.01- 0.02 * 400 = −0.0000571
700 300 BVC L1=300m EVC
L2=400m

r2 = - 0.01- 0.02 * 300 = −0.0000321

700 400

14 X1(hp)= -g1/r1= -0.02/-0.0000571=350.26m from BVC > L1=300m (not ok)

5 X2(hp) = -g2/r2 = -0.01/ -0.0000321 = 311.53 m from EVC <L2=400m (ok)
 Example (2):

⚫ The highest point is located at 311.53m from EVC

St. highest point = St. BVC + (700 - 311.53) = 9200 + 388.47

= (95+88.47)
OR:

St. highest point = St. EVC - 311.53 = 9900 - 311.53

= (95+88.47)

Elev. hp = Elev. EVC - g2. X2(hp) + (r2 / 2) X2(hp) 2

= 112.2 – (-0.01)* 311.53 + ((- 0.0000321)/ 2)* 311.532 = 113.76 m
14
6
 Example (3):

⚫ A 5% grade meets a -7% grade at station 32+00 of elevation

115m. The tangents are not equal L1= 300m and L2= 400m.
Find curve elevations every 100m.
Solution:
PVI
St. BVC = 3200 – 300= (29+00)
St. EVC = 3200 +400 = (36+00)

• Elev. BVC = Elev. PVI - g1* l1 L1=300m L2=400m

• Elev. EVC = Elev. PVI + g2* l2
(use sign of grade)
Elev. BVC = 115 – (0.05)*300 = 100m
14 Elev. EVC = 115 + (-0.07)*400 = 87m
7
 Example (3):

r1 = - 0.07 - 0.05 * 400 = −0.000229

700 300

r2 = - 0.07 - 0.05 * 300 = −0.000129

700 400
Elev.p = Elev. BVC + g1. X1 + (r1 / 2) X1 2
= 100 + (0.05)* X1 + ((- 0.000229)/ 2)* X12
= 100 + 0.05 X1 – 0.0001145 X12

Elev.p = Elev. EVC - g2. X2 + (r2 / 2) X2 2

= 87 – (-0.07)* X2 + ((- 0.000129)/ 2)* X22
14 = 87 +0.07 X2 – 0.0000645 X22
8
 Example (3):

Station X (m) Elev_BVC g1.X (m) r1 (r1/2) X2 (m) Elev P (m) diff. 1 diff. 2

2900 0 100 0 -0.000229 0.00 100.00 -3.86 -2.29

3000 100 100 5 -0.000229 -1.15 103.86 -1.57 -2.29
3100 200 100 10 -0.000229 -4.58 105.42 0.73
3200 300 100 15 -0.000229 -10.31 104.70
Station X (m) Elev_EVC g2.X (m) r2 (r2/2) X2 (m) Elev P (m) diff. 1 diff. 2
3200 400 87 -28 -0.000129 -10.32 104.68 2.49 -1.29
3300 300 87 -21 -0.000129 -5.81 102.20 3.77 -1.29
3400 200 87 -14 -0.000129 -2.58 98.42 5.07 -1.29
3500 100 87 -7 -0.000129 -0.65 93.36 6.36

14 3600 0 87 0 -0.000129 0.00 87.00

9
Horizontal Curve
Alignment
 Design of Horizontal Alignment

15
1
 What is Road Horizontal Alignment?

⚫ The horizontal alignment of a road usually consists of a series of

straight sections (tangents) connected curves.

⚫ The curves can be simple circular curves or composite curves.

15
2
 Left Hand and Right Hand HC

15
3
 Types of Horizontal Curves

⚫ Simple circular curves

⚫ Compound curves
⚫ Reversed curves
⚫ Transition curves

15
4
 Deflection Direction of Tangents

Deflects right

Deflects right
Deflects right i.e. need to
introduce right hand curve

Deflects left i.e. need to

introduce a left hand curve

15
5 Direction of travel - left to right
 Deflection Angles (∆) NOT Requiring
Horizontal Curves (HCs)

When to Use HCs ?

⚫ Where two tangents intersect
and deflection angle(∆) is >
0.5o at 120 km/h, varying to
>1.5o at 40 km/h.

15
6
 Determining Deflection Angle from
Bearings

Example: A tangent with a Bearing 125 deg, 14 minutes, N

20 seconds meets another tangent with a Bearing of 75 de g.
1 deg = 60 minutes
W E
1min = 60 seconds
Convert to deg,
20’’/60 = 0.33’ S
14’+ 0.33’ =14.33’/60 = 0.24o
Total is 125o + 0.24o = 125.24o

Deflection angle (∆)= 125.24-75= 50.24o

∆
15 Another way for phrasing: A tangent with a bearing of 125.240 deflects left at an
7 angle of 50.240 to meet another tangent.
 Simple Circular Horizontal Curves
(HCs)
Notation:
R= radius of circular curve, (m)
PC= point of circular, the point where a circular curve
and a tangent join
PI= point of intersection, the point where the two
straights (tangents) join
PT= point of tangent, the point where a tangent and a
circular curve join
∆= intersection angle, the angle between the two
tangents (degrees)
T= Tangent distance (m)
E= External distance (m)
M= Middle ordinate
Stations i.e. distance
Arc= length of circular arc (m), length between the
15 travelled are measured along
the Arc i.e. NOT horizontally two PTs along the curve
8
 Simple Circular Horizontal Curves
(HCs)
Formulae:
St. PC = St. PI – T T
L
St. PT = St. PC + L
T = R tan (∆/2)
M = R (1- Cos (∆/2))
E = [R/(Cos (∆/2)] - R
Degree of Curvature (D):
 L
a) Arc definition: =
360 2 R
D 10 573 L=10
= D=
360 2 R R Lc
b) Chord definition: Lc/2 Lc/2
Sin (D/2) =
R
15 Lc = 2R Sin (D/2) 
9 OR: D
=
10 L = 10
 L D
 Example

If ∆ = 50o , R = 1000 m and Station PI =20+00, find station PC & PT ?

Sol.:
T = R tan (∆/2) = 1000* tan (50/2) = 466.31 m
St. PC = St. PI – T = 2000 – 466.31 =15+33.69
 L
=
360 2 R

L = 50* 2* (22/7)*1000/360
L = 873 m
St. PT = St. PC + L
16 = 1533.69 + 873 = 24+06.69