Scribd
Upload
6 views7 pages

Reversed and Spiral Curve

The document discusses reversed and spiral curves in road design, highlighting their elements, safety concerns, and applications. It includes various situations and calculations related to the design and implementation of these curves, such as determining lengths, angles, and distances. Additionally, it provides formulas for spiral curves and specific assignments for practical application of the concepts presented.

Uploaded by

Charles Dave Arreglo
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
6 views7 pages

Reversed and Spiral Curve

The document discusses reversed and spiral curves in road design, highlighting their elements, safety concerns, and applications. It includes various situations and calculations related to the design and implementation of these curves, such as determining lengths, angles, and distances. Additionally, it provides formulas for spiral curves and specific assignments for practical application of the concepts presented.

Uploaded by

Charles Dave Arreglo
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/ 7

REVERSED CURVE

Reversed curve, though pleasing to the eye, would bring discomfort to motorist running at
design speed. The instant change in direction at the PRC brought some safety problems.
Despite this fact, reversed curves are being used with great success on park roads, formal
paths, waterway channels, and the like.

Elements of Reversed Curve


• PC = point of curvature
• PT = point of tangency
• PRC = point of reversed curvature
• T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
• T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
• V1 = vertex of the first curve
• V2 = vertex of the second curve
• I1 = central angle of the first curve
• I2 = central angle of the second curve
• Lc1 = length of first curve
• Lc2 = length of second curve
• L1 = length of first chord
• L2 = length of second chord
• T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from V1 to V2
SITUATION 1:

The perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents of a reversed curve is 35m. The
azimuth of the back tangent of the curve is 270 degrees and the azimuth of the common
tangent is 300 degrees. If the radius of the back curve is 160m and the stationing of P.R.C. is
10+140, find the station of P.T

SITUATION 2:

In a railroad layout, the centerlines of two parallel tracks are connected with a reversed curve
of unequal radii. The central angle of the first curve is 16 degrees and the distance between
parallel tracks is 27.60m. The stationing of P.C. is 15+420 and the radius of the second curve is
290m.

a. compute the length of the long chord from the P.C to P.T

b. Compute the radius of the first curve.


SITUATION 3:

Given the lines and direction as follows: AB = 57.6m, due East; BC = 91.5m, N 68 E; CD =
102.6m, azimuth of 312 degrees. A reversed curve is to connect these three lines thus forming
the center line of a new road. Compute the length of the common radius of the reverse curve.

SPIRAL CURVE
Spirals are used to overcome the abrupt change in curvature and superelevation that occurs
between tangent and circular curve. The spiral curve is used to gradually change the curvature
and superelevation of the road, thus called Transition Curve.

Elements of Spiral Curve


• TS = Tangent to spiral
• SC = Spiral to curve
• CS = Curve to spiral
• ST = Spiral to tangent
• LT = Long tangent
• ST = Short tangent
• R = Radius of simple curve
• Ts = Spiral tangent distance
• Tc = Circular curve tangent
• L = Length of spiral from TS to any point along the spiral
• Ls = Length of spiral
• PI = Point of intersection
• I = Angle of intersection
• Ic = Angle of intersection of the simple curve
• p = Length of throw or the distance from tangent that the circular curve has been
offset
• X = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent to any point on the spiral
• Xc = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent to SC
• Y = Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral
• Yc = Distance along tangent from TS to point at right angle to SC
• Es = External distance of the simple curve
• θ = Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral
• θs = Spiral angle from tangent to SC
• i = Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral, it is proportional to the square
of its distance
• is = Deflection angle from TS to SC
• D = Degree of spiral curve at any point
• Dc = Degree of simple curve

Formulas for Spiral Curves

Distance along tangent at T.S to any point on the spiral:

Distance along tangent from T.S to S.C:

Offset distance from tangent at T.S to any point on the spiral:

Offset distance from tangent at T.S to S.C:


Length of throw:

Spiral angle from tangent at T.S to any point on the spiral (in radian):

Spiral angle from tangent at T.S to S.C (in radian):

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral (in radian):

Deflection angle from TS to S.C (in radian):

Tangent distance:

Angle of intersection of simple curve:

External distance:
Degree of spiral curve:

Desirable length of Spiral: where K is in Kph

0.036𝐾 3
LC = 𝑅
Super elevation: where K is in Kph

𝟎.𝟎079𝑲2
e= 𝑹
Centrifugal Acceleration: where V is in m/s

80
c = 75+𝑉
Short Tangent

𝑋
ST = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑐
𝑠

Long Tangent

𝑋
LT = Yc - 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
𝑐
𝑠

SITUATION 1:
The length of a spiral curve is 80m with radius of 280m at the central curve. The spiral
tangents intersect each other at 60 degrees.
a. determine the offset distance from the tangent on the first quarter point of the spiral.
b. determine the spiral angle at third quarter point.
c. determine the deflection angle at third quarter point from the tangent to the spiral at TS
d. determine the length of the short tangent of the spiral.
e. determine the length of the long tangent of the spiral.
f. compute the length of throw for the spiral curve.
g. determine the tangent distance of the spiral.
h. determine the external distance of the spiral.
i. what is the maximum velocity that a car could pass through the spiral easement curve.

SITUATION 2:
A spiral curve 80m length connects a straight road to a circular curve. The maximum
superelevation of the curve is 0.25. If the road has a normal crossfall grade of 1%, determine
the width of the road.

SITUATION 3:
A spiral curve is 80m long and the radius of the simple curve is 200m.
a. determine the spiral angle at SC and at first quarter point.
b. compute the offset distance at SC and at first quarter point.
c. Compute the length of short tangent and long tangent.

ASSIGNMENT:
SITUATION 1:

Two converging tangents have azimuth of 300 and 90 degrees respectively, while that of the common tangent
is 320 degrees. The distance from the point of intersection of the tangents to the P.I of the second curve is
170m, while the stationing of the P.I of the curve 10+430. If the radius of the first curve is 500m, determine
the stationing of P.R.C and P.T.

SITUATION 2:

Two tangents having azimuths 240 and 282 degrees are connected by a spiral curve with 191m radius of
circular curve. The width of roadways is 15m. If the design velocity is 75kph, determine the following:

a. the length of Spiral Curve.

b. Super elevation at SC.

c. external distance.

d. tangent distance.

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. JUDY-ANN A. ESCUÑA

You might also like