Lesson 5-6:

Topics: Reverse Curves

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the elements of reverse curve.

2. Compute the elements of the reverse curve.

LEARNING CONTENT:

Reverse Curve

A reverse curve is a horizontal circular curve that consists of 2 or more simple curves
bending in opposite direction. Center of the simple curves lie on opposite side of the road.
Different types of reverse curves are those with parallel tangents, those with converging
or diverging tangents, and those with intermediate tangent. Usually this warning is
seen while negotiating the road especially for sharp curves or blind curves.

Elements of Reverse Curve:

a. With parallel tangents

𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐
b. With converging tangents

𝜽 = 𝑰𝟐 − 𝑰𝟏

c. With intermediate tangent

𝑻 = 𝑻𝟏 + 𝑿 + 𝑻𝟐
PC – the beginning of the compound curve C1, C2 – chord of the simple curves
PRC – point of reverse curve. It is the common point R1, R2 – radii of simple curves
of simple curves LC1, LC2 – length of curve of simple curves
PT – the end of the reverse curve I1, I2 –angles of intersection of simple curves
V1, V2 – vertices of the simple curves 𝜃 – angle of convergence/divergence
T – common tangent from V1 to V2 X – intermediate tangent
T1, T2 – tangents of the simple curves Z – point of intersection of tangents

Additional Formula for Computation:

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶2

Sample Problem:
The perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents is 15 m; central angle equal to 10°; and the radius of
curvature of the first curve is 250 m. Find the stationing of the PRC, PT and full stations if the reverse curve
starts at 2+000.

Given:

Solution:

The distance between parallel tangents can be

𝑎 + 𝑏 = 15
represented as this;
Basing from the figure, equivalence of a and b shall be
(𝑅1 − 𝑅1 cos 𝐼1 ) + (𝑅2 − 𝑅2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐼2 ) = 15
substituted;
(250 − 250 cos 10°) + (𝑅2 − 𝑅2 𝑐𝑜𝑠10°) = 15 Substitute the available values;
𝑹𝟐 = 𝟕𝟑𝟕. 𝟑𝟓 𝒎 The radius of the 2nd curve.

𝜋𝑅1 𝐼1 Use this formula to compute for the LC1.

𝐿𝐶1 =
180°
𝜋(250)(10°) Then, substitute that available variables.
𝐿𝐶1 =
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟏 = 𝟒𝟑. 𝟔𝟑 𝒎 The length of the 1st curve.

𝜋𝑅2 𝐼2 Use this formula to compute for the LC2.

𝐿𝐶2 =
180°
𝜋(737.35)(10°) Then, substitute that available variables.
𝐿𝐶2 =
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝟖. 𝟔𝟗 𝒎 The length of the 2nd curve.
 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 Use this formula to compute for sta PRC.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 = (2 + 000) + 43.63 𝑚 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑹𝑪 = 𝟐 + 𝟎𝟒𝟑. 𝟔𝟑 The stationing of the PRC.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶2 Use this formula to compute for sta PT.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = (2 + 043.63) + 128.69 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑻 = 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟕𝟐. 𝟑𝟐 The stationing of the end of the reverse curve.

1𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2 + 020

𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2 + 160 There are 8 full stations in the whole reverse curve.
𝒏 = 𝟖 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

Sample Problem:
A reverse curve connects two converging tangents intersecting at an angle of 30°. The distance of this
intersection from the vertex of the 2 nd simple curve is 150 m. The deflection angle of the common tangent from
the back tangent is 20°R and the azimuth of the common tangent is 320°. The degree of curve of the 2nd simple
curve is 6° and the stationing of the point of intersection of the 1 st simple curve is 4+450. Determine the stationing
of the PC, PRC and PT.

Given:

Solution:

1145.916
𝑅2 = Use this formula to compute for the R2.
𝐷2
1145.916
𝑅2 = Then, substitute that available variables.
6°
𝑹𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗𝟎. 𝟗𝟗 𝒎 The radius of the 2nd curve.

𝑇 150
= Sine law in triangle V1, V2 and Z.
sin 30° sin 20°
𝑻 = 𝟐𝟏𝟗. 𝟐𝟗 𝒎 The length of the common tangent.

𝜃 = 𝐼2 − 𝐼1 Use this formula to compute for the I2.

30° = 𝐼2 − 20° Then, substitute that available variables.
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟓𝟎° The angle of intersection of the 2nd curve.
 𝑇 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2 Use this formula for common tangent.
𝐼1 𝐼2
𝑇 = 𝑅1 tan + 𝑅2 tan Then, substitute the equivalence.
2 2
20° 50°
219.29 = 𝑅1 tan + 190.99 tan Then substitute the available values.
2 2
𝑹𝟏 = 𝟕𝟑𝟖. 𝟓𝟕 𝒎 The radius of the 1st curve

𝐼1
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan Use this formula to compute for the T 1.
2
20°
𝑇1 = 738.57 tan Then, substitute that available variables.
2
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎. 𝟐𝟑 𝒎 The length of tangent of the 1st curve.

𝜋𝑅1 𝐼1
𝐿𝐶1 = Use this formula to compute for the LC1.
180°
𝜋(738.57)(20°)
𝐿𝐶1 = Then, substitute that available variables.
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟏 = 𝟐𝟓𝟕. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎 The length of the 1st curve.

𝜋𝑅2 𝐼2
𝐿𝐶2 = Use this formula to compute for the LC2.
180°
𝜋(190.99)(50°)
𝐿𝐶2 = Then, substitute that available variables.
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎 The length of the 2nd curve.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉1 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑇1 Use this formula to compute for sta PC.

(4 + 450) = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 130.23 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑪 = 𝟒 + 𝟑𝟏𝟗. 𝟕𝟕 The stationing of the PC.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 Use this formula to compute for sta PRC.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 = (4 + 319.77) + 257.81 𝑚 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑹𝑪 = 𝟒 + 𝟓𝟕𝟕. 𝟓𝟖 The stationing of the PRC.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑅𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶2 Use this formula to compute for sta PT.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = (4 + 577.58) + 166.67 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑻 = 𝟒 + 𝟕𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟓 The stationing of the end of the reverse curve.

Sample Problem:
Suppose in the previous problem, there is an intermediate tangent of 25 m. Determine the full stations.
Given:

Solution:
1145.916
𝑅2 = Use this formula to compute for the R2.
𝐷2
1145.916
𝑅2 = Then, substitute that available variables.
6°
𝑹𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗𝟎. 𝟗𝟗 𝒎 The radius of the 2nd curve.

𝑇 150
= Sine law in triangle V1, V2 and Z.
sin 30° sin 20°
𝑻 = 𝟐𝟏𝟗. 𝟐𝟗 𝒎 The length of the common tangent.

𝜃 = 𝐼2 − 𝐼1 Use this formula to compute for the I2.

30° = 𝐼2 − 20° Then, substitute that available variables.
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟓𝟎° The angle of intersection of the 2nd curve.

𝑇 = 𝑇1 + 𝑋 + 𝑇2 Use this formula for common tangent.

𝐼1 𝐼2
𝑇 = 𝑅1 tan + 25 + 𝑅2 tan Then, substitute the equivalence.
2 2
20° 50°
219.29 = 𝑅1 tan + 25 + 190.99 tan Then substitute the available values.
2 2
𝑹𝟏 = 𝟓𝟗𝟔. 𝟕𝟗 𝒎 The radius of the 1st curve

𝐼1
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan Use this formula to compute for the T 1.
2
20°
𝑇1 = 596.79 tan Then, substitute that available variables.
2
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓. 𝟐𝟑 𝒎 The length of tangent of the 1st curve.

𝜋𝑅1 𝐼1
𝐿𝐶1 = Use this formula to compute for the LC1.
180°
𝜋(596.79)(20°)
𝐿𝐶1 = Then, substitute that available variables.
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟖. 𝟑𝟐 𝒎 The length of the 1st curve.
 𝜋𝑅2 𝐼2
𝐿𝐶2 = Use this formula to compute for the LC2.
180°
𝜋(190.99)(50°)
𝐿𝐶2 = Then, substitute that available variables.
180°
𝑳𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎 The length of the 2nd curve.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉1 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑇1 Use this formula to compute for sta PC.

(4 + 450) = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 105.23 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑪 = 𝟒 + 𝟑𝟒𝟒. 𝟕𝟕 The stationing of the PC.

𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 + 𝑋 + 𝐿𝐶2 Use this formula to compute for sta PT.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = (4 + 344.77) + 208.32 + 25 + 166.67 Then, substitute that available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑻 = 𝟒 + 𝟕𝟒𝟒. 𝟕𝟔 The stationing of the end of the reverse curve.

1𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 4 + 360

There are 20 full stations in the whole reverse
𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 4 + 740
curve with intermediate tangent.
𝒏 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

------- End of Lesson 5-6 -------