Module-6

Introduction to Curve
Prof. Prafulla Kumar Panda
Centurion University of Technology and
Management
Contact:9438269572
E-mail: [email protected]
Content:
 Module-6 Syllabus
 Introduction and Definition
 Types of Curves
 Terminologies associate with Curve
 Degree of the Curve
 Setting out of Curves
MODULE-6
Curves, types of curves, simple circular curves, compound
curves, reverse curves, transition curves and vertical curve,
setting out of curves.

Practice:
1. Setting out of the curve off set from long chord method using
total station
2. Setting out of the curve by chord produced method using total
station
3.Setting out of compound curve
4.Setting out of reverse curve
Introduction:-
 Curves are provided whenever a road changes its direction
from right to S (vice versa) or changes its alignment from
up to down (vice versa).
 Curves are a critical element in the pavement design. They
are provided with a maximum speed limit that should lie
followed very strictly.
 Following the speed limit becomes essential as the exceed
in speed may lead to the chances of the vehicle becoming
out of control while negotiating a turn and thus increase
the odds of fatal accidents.
 Also, it is very necessary that appropriate safety measures
be adopted at all horizontal and vertical curves to make
the infrastructure road user friendly and decrease the risks
of hazardous circumstances.
 The low cost safety measures that can be adopted at
curves included chevron signs, delineators, pavement
markings, flexible posts, fluorescent strips, road safety
barriers, rumble strips etc.
Straight
lines

curves
Components of Highway Design

Horizontal
Alignment
Plan View

Vertical Alignment

Profile View
Horizontal Alignment

Tangents Curves
 Curves

Horizontal Curves Vertical Curves

1. Summit Curve
2. Valley Curve
Circular Curves Transition Curves

1. Simple Curve 1. Cubic Parabola

2. Compound Curve 2. Spiral curve
3. Reverse Curve 3. Lemniscates
 Vertical curve
Horizontal
Curve

(i) Plan (ii) Elevation

 Circular
Curve

Right - Hand
Left - Hand Curve
Curve Transition
Curve

Straight Line

Classification Of Curves
Horizontal Curves:
 Horizontal curves are in plan, while vertical curves in
a vertical section.
 Horizontal curves are provided to change the direction
or alignment of a road.
 Horizontal Curve are circular curves or circular arcs.
 The sharpness of a curve increases as the radius is
decrease which makes it risky and dangerous.
 The main design criterion of a horizontal curve is the
provision of an adequate safe stopping sight distance.
Tangents & Curves
Tangent

Curve

Tangent to
Circular Curve

Tangent to
Spiral Curve to
Circular Curve
Types Of Circular Curves

 There are three types of circular curves:

1. Simple curve
2. Compound curve
3. Reverse curve
1) Simple curve:
• A simple curve consists of a single are of the circle.
• It is tangential to both the straight lines.
• A simple arc provided in the road to impose a curve
between the two straight lines.
2)Compound Curves:
 A compound curve consists of two or more simple arcs.
 Combination of two simple curves combined together to curve in
the same direction
 The simple arcs turn in the same direction with their centers of
curvature on the same side of the common tangent.
 B

Common Tangent
A C

R2
Tangent Tangent
R1 O2

O1

Compound Curve
3) Reverse Curve :
 A reverse curve consists of tow circular arcs which have their
centers of curvature on the opposite side of the common
tangent.
 The two arcs turn in the opposite direction .
 Reverse curves are provided for low speed roads and railways.
 A transition curve may be defined as a
curve of varying radius of infinity at
tangent point to a design circular curve
radius provided in between the straight
and circular path in order that the
centrifugal force was gradual. This is
also known as easement curve.
 The objectives of providing transition curve are given below:

 To gradually introduce the centrifugal force between the tangent point

and the beginning of the circular curve thereby avoiding sudden jerk on
the vehicle.
 To increase the comfort of passengers.
 To introduce designed superelevation at a desirable rate
 To enable the driver to turn the steering gradually for his own comfort
and security
 To introduce designed extra widening at a desirable rate
 To enhance the aesthetic appearance of the road
 To fit the road alignment in a given alignment
 To minimize the effects of centrifugal force, the speed of the vehicle
should be gradually reduced or a path should be negotiated with the
gradual change of trajectory so that the radius of curvature is gradually
reduced from infinity to R or to get the combined effect of both.
 Spiral Curve
A transition curve is sometimes used in horizontal alignment design. It is used to provide a
gradual transition between tangent sections and circular curve sections. Different types of
transition curve may be used but the most common is the Euler Spiral.

Properties of Euler Spiral

(reference: Surveying: Principles and Applications, Kavanagh and Bird, Prentice Hall]
Definations and Notations for simple curve :
 Back tangent :
The tangent (AT1)
previous to the curve is
called the back tangent or
first tangent .
 Forward tangent :
The tangent (T2B)
following the curve is
called the forward tangent
or second tangent .
 Point of Intersection (P.I.)
:
If the tangent AT1 and BT1
are produced they will meet in
a point , called the point of
intersection . It is also called
vertex (V).
 Point of curve (P.C.)
:It is the begining
point T1 of a curve .
At this point the
alignment changes
from a tangent to a
curve .
 Point of tangency
(P.T.) :
The end point of a
curve (T2) is called the
point of tangency .
 Intersection angle (ø) :

The angle AVB between

tangent AV and tangent VB
is called intersection angle .
 Deflection angle (∆) :

The angle at P.I. between

the tangent AV produced
and VB is called the
deflection angle .
 Tangent distance :
It is the distance between
P.C. to P.I. It is also the
distance between P.I. and
P.T.
 External distance (E) :
It is the distance from the
mid point of the curve to
P.I. It is also called the apex
distance.
 Length of curve (l) :
It is the total length of
curve from P.C. to P.T.
 Long chord :
It is chord joining P.C. to
P.T. T1T2 is a long chord .
Element of simple circular curve :
Element of simple circular curve :
Element of simple circular curve :
Element of simple circular curve :
Element of simple circular curve :
 Normal chord :
A chord between two successive regular
stations on a curve is called normal chrod . Normally , the length
of normal chord is chain (20 m).
 Sub chord :
The chord shorter than normal chord (shorter than
20m) is called sub chord .
 Versed chord :
The distance between mid point of long chord
(D) and the apex point C, is called versed sine .It is also called
mid –ordinate (M).
 Right hand curve :
If the curve deflects to the right of the direction
of the progress of survey, it is called the right-hand curve.
 Left hand curve :
If the curve deflects to the direction of the
progress of survey , it is called left hand curve.
Designation of curve :
 The sharpness of the curve is designated by two ways :
1. By radius (R)
2. By degree of curvature (D)
 In this method the curve is known by the length of its
radius (R).
For examples,
200 m curve means the curve having radius 200 m .
6 chain curve means the curve having radius equal to 6
chain .
 This method is used in England
2) By degree of curvature :
 In this method the curve is designated by degree .

 The degree of curvature can be defined by two

ways :
1. Chord definition
2. Arc definition
 1. Chord definition :
 The angle subtented at the centre of curve by a chord
of 20 m is called degree of curvature .
 E.g.
If an angle subtended at the centre of curve by a chord
of 20 m is 5˚, the curve is called 5˚ curve .

2. Arc definition:
 The angle subtended at the centre of curve by an arc
of 20 m length , is called degree of curve .
 This system is used in America , Canada , India , etc .
 Relation Between Radius And Degree Of
curve

A] By Chord Definition:- B] By Arc definition:-

 The angle subtended at the  The angle subtended at the

centre of curve by a chord of centre of curve by an arc of
20m is called degree of 20m length is called degree
curve. of curve.
A] By Chord Definition:-

 Here, R= radius of curve 20 m

D= degree of curvature
C Q
P
From triangle PCO, 10 m
R D R
D/2

O
 When D is small, sin D/2 may be taken equal to D/2.

Where, D is in degree.
 B] By Arc Definition:-
20 m
 Here, R= radius of curve
D= degree of curvature
P Q
Where, D is in degree.
R R
D

O
Question .1
A circular curve has 2oom radius and 65˚deflection angle.
What is its degree(a)by arc definition (b)chord definition
also calculate
 i. Length of curve ii. Tangent length iii. Length of long
chord iv. Apex distance and V. Mid ordinate