Scribd
Upload
13 views2 pages

CEPC 327 Notes 3

The document outlines the principles of designing compound curves in highway and railroad engineering, emphasizing the importance of smooth transitions to reduce centrifugal forces on high-speed vehicles. It defines key terms related to curves, such as points of curvature and tangency, and describes both horizontal and vertical curves. Additionally, it provides example problems with solutions to illustrate the calculations involved in determining radii and stationing for compound curves.

Uploaded by

Jaylord Bejoc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views2 pages

CEPC 327 Notes 3

The document outlines the principles of designing compound curves in highway and railroad engineering, emphasizing the importance of smooth transitions to reduce centrifugal forces on high-speed vehicles. It defines key terms related to curves, such as points of curvature and tangency, and describes both horizontal and vertical curves. Additionally, it provides example problems with solutions to illustrate the calculations involved in determining radii and stationing for compound curves.

Uploaded by

Jaylord Bejoc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

CE – PC 327 Elements of compound curve

HIGHWAY AND RAILROAD ENGINEERING  PC = point of curvature


 PT = point of tangency
NOTES 2
 PI = point of intersection
 PCC = point of compound curve
In the design of roads, railways or canals, curves are
 T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
designed to provide smooth transition or gradual
 T2 = length of tangent of the second
change in direction thus reducing the effect of
curve
inertia forces. High speed vehicles are susceptible to
 V1 = vertex of the first curve
huge amount of centrifugal force which may cause
 V2 = vertex of the second curve
them to skid or overturn. Providing a transition will
 I1 = central angle of the first curve
lessen this force.
 I2 = central angle of the second curve
 I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2
HORIZONTAL CURVES – These Curves are on a
 Lc1 = length of first curve
horizontal plane viewed from the top. The types of
 Lc2 = length of second curve
horizontal curve based on geometry rangers from
 L1 = length of first chord
simple circular curves, compound curves to broken
 L2 = length of second chord
back curves and clothoids (or Euler spirals).
 L = length of long chord from PC to PT
VERTICAL CURVES – these curves are used to  T1 + T2 = length of common tangent
provide smooth transition or gradual change in measured from V1 to V2
direction which takes place in a vertical plane due to  θ = 180° - I
grade changes.  x and y can be found from triangle V1-
V2-PI.
 L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT

COMPOUND CURVES

A compound curve is a combination of two or more


circular curves with the center of curvature on the
same side of the curve. The point where two circular
curves meet is called the Point of Compound
Curvature (P.C.C).
Example Problems:

1. A compound Curve has a common tangent


400m long. The first curve passing through
the P.C. is a degree curve with a central
angle of 35°.
a. Find the radius of the second curve
if its central angle is 50°.
ANSWER:599.528 m
b. Find the station of PT if the PI of the
compound curved (intersection of
the tangent passing through PC and
the tangent passing through PT) is
at STA 10+125.
ANSWER: 10+453.5

2. The long chord from the PC to the PT of a


compound curve is 250m long and the
angles it makes with the tangent passing
through PC and the tangent through PT are
14° and 18° respectively, given that the
common tangent is parallel to the long
chord,
a. Find the radius of the first curve.
Answer: 582.116
b. Find the radius of the second curve.
Answer: 353.292
c. If the stationing of PC is 8+950, find
the stationing of PT.
Answer: 9 + 203.23

3. The common tangent AB of a compound


curve is 82.38m. The angles the common
tangent makes with the tangents through
PC and PT of the compound curve are 21°10’
and 15°20’, respectively. If the degree of the
first curve is 3°30’, what is the radius of the
second curve? ANSWER: 157.54m

You might also like