ENSV2SE H1 SURVEYING ENGINEERING

Chapter 10

TRANSITION CURVES

Why transition curves are necessary

The principal advantages of a transition curve on a horizontal alignment are:

• A properly designed transition curve provides a natural easy-to-follow path for

drivers, such that the centrifugal force increases and decreases gradually as
the vehicle enters and leaves the circular curve. This minimises the
encroachment upon adjoining traffic lanes, tends to promote uniformity of
speed and results in increased safety.

• The transition curve length provides a convenient desirable arrangement for

superelevation runoff. Where superelevation runoff is effected without a
transition curve, usually partly on the tangent and partly on the circular curve,
the driver approaching the curve may have to steer opposite to the direction of
the curve when on the superelevated tangent portion in order to keep the
vehicle on the straight. This is an unnatural manoeuvre and explains in part
why many vehicles drift to the inside of the curve.

• The appearance of a highway is enhanced by the application of a spiral. Their

use avoids the noticeable breaks at the beginning and end of a circular curve,
which may be distorted further by superelevation runoff. Spirals are essential
parts of a natural flowing alignment.

Requirements of a transition curve

• It must be tangential to the straight. At the BTC R = ∞ and the curvature is 0.

• The curvature at the end of the transition curve must equal the curvature of
the circular curve.

• The curvature along the transition curve must increase uniformly.

• Curvature should increase with superelevation

• The full superelevation must be achieved at the junction of the circular curve.

Field procedure

1. Set up at the BTC and stake the spiral up to the BCC. This is done by setting
up over the BTC and sighting the PI, or if the BTC had been placed from
coordinates, then by sighting external control.

2. Lay off successive deflection angles until the spiral is pegged up to the BCC.
If possible, the BTC, BCC, Crown Point, ECC and ETC should be placed
before the staking of the curves commence, preferable from coordinates.

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3. After staking the first spiral, it can be checked by measuring the offset off the
tangent to the BTC and comparing it with

L2
y=
6R
4. The spiral can be staked by measuring successive chord lengths from peg to
peg. For greatest accuracy the chord length for an arc of length l is
calculated by first computing the relevant values of y and x and then
calculating the equivalent chord length from

(x 2 − x 1 ) 2 + (y 2 − y 1 ) 2

5. It will usually not be necessary to calculate the chord lengths since they will
be virtually the same as the corresponding arc lengths. Treat each case on its
own merits by doing a quick check between the last two full chainage pegs on
the spiral which is where the curvature is the greatest.

6. The spiral can also be pegged by taping to every peg from the BTC. In this
case the value of every chord from the BTC to every peg on the spiral must
be calculated.

7. Set up at the ETC and stake the spiral up to the ECC, using the same
procedure as before.

8. Set up at the BCC and/ or ECC and set out the circular curve. Any closing
error should be adjusted on the circular curve, never on the spiral.

WORKED EXAMPLES

QUESTION 1

The following data refer to a curve system to the right consisting of two Euler spiral
transition curves with a portion of a circular curve between them:

Deflection angle (I) = 50° Radius (R) = 320m

Lengths of spirals = 100m each Chainage of BTC = 416,00m

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PI I

BCC ECC

BTC
ETC

Calculate:

(1) The Apex Distance

(2) The Total Length of the curve system
(3) The Chainages of the BCC, Crown Point, ECC and ETC
(4) Staking data to peg the first transition from BTC to BCC.
Assume the direction BTC - PI to be 00.00.00
(5) The reading that must be observed from BCC to BTC
to give a ZERO reading along the tangent at BCC

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SOLUTION

(1) The Apex Distance

PI

SH

BCC

BTC

L2 L4 L6
Shift SH = − + = 1,301m
24 R 2688 R 3 506880 R 5

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Ι L L3 L5
Apex Distance AD = (R + SH) Tan + - + = 199,784m
2 2 240 R 2 34560 R 4

(2) The Total Length of the curve system

S2 L 1718 , 87 L
φS = rad φL = rad = deg
2 RL 2R 60 R

πR(Ι - 2φL )
Total length = 2L + where φ L = 08.57.09 = 379,252m
180

(3) The Chainages of the BCC, Crown Point, ECC and ETC

Ch BTC = 416,00
+L = +100,00
Ch BCC = 516,00
+1/2 cptn = + 89,626
Ch CP = 605,626
+1/2 cptn = + 89,626
Ch ECC = 695,252
+L = +100,00
Ch ETC = 795,252

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(4) Staking data to peg the first transition from BTC to BCC.
Assume the direction BTC - PI to be 00.00.00

φS S2 572 , 958 S 2
θS = = rad = deg
3 6 RL 60 RL

S5 S9
Chord lengths from BTC / ETC on the spiral = d = S − +
90 L2 R 2 22680 L4 R 4

Chainage S d θS Inst Dir

416,00 @BTC 00.00.00 to PI

420 04 04 00.00.17 00.00.17
440 24 24 00.10.19 00.10.19
460 44 43,998 00.34.40 00.34.40
480 64 63,988 01.13.21 01.13.21
500 84 83,955 02.06.21 02.06.21
516,00(BCC) 100 99,891 02.59.04 02.59.04
φL
Check = 08.57.09 /3 = θ L = 02.59.03 OK
3

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(5) The reading that must be observed from BCC to BTC

to give a ZERO reading along the tangent at BCC

2φ L
Set instrument @ direction 180 - = 180 - 05.58.06 = 174.01.54
3

QUESTION 2

Two straights are to be joined by two spiral transition curves each 120m long, plus a
portion of a circular curve of radius 250m. The curve system is to the right. The
deflection angle is 62.20.10. Calculate:

(1) The Apex Distance

(2) Setting out data to peg the curve from the beginning of the curve (BTC) up to
the beginning of the circular portion (BCC), at 20m continuous intervals.
Assume the direction from the BTC to the PI to be zero. The chainage of the
BTC is 169,63m.

(3) Calculate data to orient the instrument at the BCC so that you would be able
to set out the portion from the BCC to the Crown Point from a zero instrument
direction.

(4) Calculate setting out data to set out the portion from the BCC to the Crown
Point at 20m continuous intervals.

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SOLUTION

1. The Apex Distance

Shift SH = 2,40m AD = 212,552m

2. Setting out data to peg the curve from the beginning of the curve (BTC) up to
the beginning of the circular portion (BCC), at 20m continuous intervals.
φ L = 13.45.04

POINT CHAINAGE S d θ S = DIR

BTC 169,63 0 Students 00.00.00 TO PI

to attempt
180 10,37 00.02.03
200 30,37 00.17.37
220 50,37 00.48.28
240 70,37 01.34.35
260 90,37 02.35.59
280 110,37 03.52.40
BCC 289,63 120 04.35.02
φL
Check = 04.35.01 = OK
3

3. Calculate data to orient the instrument at the BCC so that you would be able
to set out the portion from the BCC to the crown point from a zero instrument
direction.

2φ L
Orientation at BCC: Direction BCC - BTC = 180 - = 170.49.57
3

4. Calculate setting out data to set out the portion from the BCC to the Crown
Point at 20m continuous intervals.

πR(Ι - 2φL )
Length of circular portion = = 151,99m
180

Chainage of Crown Point = 289,63 + 151,99/2 = 365,63m

a 28,648 1718,87a 1718 , 87a

θ = radians = deg = min = deg
2R R R 60R

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Chainage Offset Deflection Instrument Deflection Arc Length Chord peg

Angle Angle δ Direction at Distance peg to peg to peg
θ BCC 2 R Sinδ 2 R Sinθ
@BCC 0 00.00.00 00.00.00
289,63
300 01.11.18 01.11.18 01.11.18 10,37
320 02.17.31 03.28.49 03.28.49 20
340 02.17.31 05.46.20 05.46.20 20
360 02.17.31 08.03.51 08.03.51 20
C 00.38.43 08.42.34 08.42.34 5,63
365,63
Ι − 2φ L ∑ = 76,00
Check: = 08.42.31 = OK
4 = A/2
Do join if using co-ords

QUESTION 3

The data below refers to a curve system to the right consisting of two spirals and a
circular portion.
Deflection angle (I) = 52°
Radius (R) = 300m
Lengths of spirals = 100m each
Chainage of BTC = 226,00m
Calculate:

(1) The Total Length of the curve system

(2) The Chainages of the BCC, Crown Point, ECC and ETC
(3) Staking data to peg the first transition from BTC to BCC.
Assume the direction BTC - PI to be 00.00.00
(4) The reading that must be observed from BCC to BTC
to give a ZERO reading along the tangent at BCC

QUESTION 4

Two straights are to be joined by two spiral transition curves each 120m long, plus a
portion of a circular curve of radius 200m. The curve system is to the right. The
deflection angle is 61.20.10. Calculate:

(1) The tangent lengths

(2) Setting out data to peg the curve from the beginning of the curve (BTC) up to
the beginning of the circular portion (BCC), at 20m continuous intervals.
Assume the direction from the BTC to PI to be zero. The chainage of the BTC
is 2371,87m.

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(3) Calculate data to orient the instrument at the BCC so that you would be able
to set out the portion from the BCC to the crown point from a zero instrument
direction.
(4) Calculate setting out data to set out the portion from the BCC to the Crown
Point at 20m continuous intervals.

CALCULATING COORDINATES ON THE CURVE SYSTEM

As with coordinates on the circular curve, the calculation is always done in the
form of a traverse. First calculate the chord lengths and directions, then do the
data traverse calculation. If no mistake has been made, the traverse should
close within 0,02m.

Example

R = 210m L = 80m

A +1100,00 + 610,00
B +1002,00 + 800,00 - PI
C +1100,00 +1000,00

Joins: All checked by Polar

A-B 332.42.57 213,785m

B-C 26.06.17 222,720m ∴ Deflection angle Ι = 53.23.20

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Calculation of the Shift: S = 1,270m

Calculation of the Apex Distance: AD = 146,184m

Data for traverse B – BTC – BCC – ECC – ETC – C

B – BTC Dir = xBA = 152.42.57

Dist = Apex Distance = 146,184m

572,958 L
BTC – BCC Total deflection angle θ L = = 03.38.16
60 R

Dir = 332.42.57 + 03.38.16 = 336.21.13

Dist = Y2 + X2 = 79,871m

S5 S9
OR: Chord lengths from BTC / ETC on the spiral = d = S − +
90 L2 R 2 22680 L4 R 4
Where in this case S=L

BCC – ECC

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1718,87 L
φL = deg = 10.54.48
60 R

2 Ι − 2φ L
Dir = 336.21.13 + φL + = 359.24.37
3 2

Ι − 2φ L
Or: 332.42.57 + φ L + = 359.24.37
2

Ι − 2φ L
Dist = 2R Sin ( ) = 114,224m
2

2 Ι − 2φ L
ECC – ETC Dir = 359.24.37 + φL + = 22.28.01
3 2

Or: 206.06.17 – 03.38.16 – 180 = 22.28.01

Dist = chord length = 79,871m

ETC – C Dir = xBC = 26.06.17

Dist = 222,720 – 146,184 = 76,536m

Pto for data traverse

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Data Traverse Calculation

DIR/ DIST STATION Y X

B +1002,00 +800,00
152.42.57
146,184
BTC +1069,01 +670,08
336.21.13
79,871
BCC +1036,97 +743,24
359.24.37
114,224
ECC +1035,80 +857,46
22.28.01
79,871
ETC +1066,32 +931,27
26.06.17
76,536
C +1100,00 +1000,00

EXAMPLES

1. Two road straights AP and PB intersect at P. The two straights must be

connected by a curve system to the right consisting of two transition curves
each 100 metres long, and a portion of a circular curve with radius 180
metres. The major points have to be placed from coordinates, thus
coordinates have to be calculated for:

Coordinates of P: +51994,95Y +18292,26X

Oriented directions: AP: 202 15' 00" PB: 275 45' 40"

a) Calculate oriented directions and linear distances for the following:

P - BTC - BCC - ECC - ETC - P

b) Calculate coordinates for BTC, BCC, ECC and ETC by calculating a

closed traverse. If your work is done correctly, this traverse should close
within 0,01m.

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2. Two road straights AP and PB intersect at P. The two straights must be

connected by a curve system to the right consisting of two transition curves
each 80 metres long, and a portion of a circular curve with radius 150 metres.
The major points have to be placed from coordinates, thus coordinates have
to be calculated for:

Coordinates of P: + 1463,95Y + 814,26X

Oriented directions: AP: 212° 25' 00" PB: 270° 35' 40"

a) Calculate oriented directions and linear distances for the following:

P - BTC - BCC - ECC - ETC - P

b) Calculate coordinates for BTC, BCC, ECC and ETC by calculating a

closed traverse. If your work is done correctly, this traverse should
close within 0,01m.

3. P is the point of intersection of road straights DP and PF. Two spiral

transition curves, each 90metres long, and a portion of a circular curve with
radius 200m must join the straights. The BTC is on straight DP with chainage
0, 00. C is the Crown Point.

COORDINATES

D -23408,03 +15982,71
P -23996,91 +15287,17
F -24561,90 +16074,64

Calculate:

i) The shift
ii) The Apex Distance
iii) The total length of the curve system
iv) The crown distance
v) The length of the chords BTC to BCC and BCC to the crown point C
vi) Tabulated staking data for the curve from the BTC up to the BCC, and
from the BCC to the crown point C. Pegs must be at continuous
chainages of 20m.
vii) Coordinates for the BTC, BCC and the crown point C

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SUMMARY OF FORMULAE: TRANSITION CURVE

L = Lengths of Spirals
R = Radius of Circular Curve
S = Lengths to points on Spiral from BTC or ETC
φS = Spiral Angle

1. S2 L 1718 , 87 L
φS = rad φL = rad = deg
2 RL 2R 60 R

S5 S9 L3 L5
2. x=S- + when S = L, X = L - +
40 R 2 L2 3456 R 4 L4 40 R 2 3456 R 4

S3 S7 S 11 L2 L4 L6
y= - + when S = L, Y = - +
6 RL 336 R 3 L3 42240 R 5 L5 6 R 336 R 3 42240 R 5

φS S2 572 , 958 S 2
3. θS = = rad = deg
3 6 RL 60 RL

L2 L4 L6
4. Shift SH = − +
24 R 2688 R 3 506880 R 5

Ι L L3 L5
5. Apex Distance AD = (R + SH) Tan + - +
2 2 240 R 2 34560 R 4

6. Total Length = 2L + R( Ι - 2φL ) when Ι and 2φL are in rad

πR(Ι - 2φL )
= 2L + when Ι and 2φL are in deg
180

Ι
7. Crown Distance = (R + SH) Sec -R
2

Ι - 2φ L
8. Chord BCC – ECC = 2R sin ( )
2

S5 S9
9. Chord lengths from BTC / ETC on the spiral = d = S − +
90 L2 R 2 22680 L4 R 4

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