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Introduction
In highway or railroad construction, complex curves are needed to fit into a given
route. In order for this complex curves to convey traffic efficiently a proper
design must be ensured.
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Compound Curves
Compound curves consist of two or more
consecutive simple curves having
different radius, but whose center lie on
the same side of the curve, likewise any
two consecutive curves must have a
common tangent at their meeting point.
When two such curve lie upon opposite
sides of the common tangent, the two
curves then turns into a reversed curve.
In the compound curve, the point of the
common tangent where the two curves
join is called the point of compound
curvature (PCC).
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Why Use Compound Curves?
Since their tangent lengths vary,
compound curves fit the topography
much better than simple curves. These
curves easily adapt to mountainous
terrain or areas cut by large, winding
rivers. However, since compound curves
are more hazardous than simple curves,
they should never be used where a
simple curve will do.
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Uses of Compound Curves
• These curves are used in direction change
for the roadways and it includes the
interchange ramps and intersection curves
for the right turning vehicles,
• Loop configurations of turning roads are
frequently used in interchanges. It consists
of combinations of curves and tangents,
• It is used to provide the layout of canal
alignment,
• Compound curves perfectly fits the
topography comparatively better than the
simple curves. Such curves are easily
adapted in mountainous terrain areas.
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Elements of Compound Curves
• PC = point of curvature
• PT = point of tangency
• PI = point of intersection
• PCC = point of compound curve
• 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
• I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2
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Elements of Compound Curves
• Lc1 = length of first curve
• Lc2 = length of second curve
• L1 = length of first chord
• L2 = length of second chord
• L = length of long chord from PC to PT
• T1 + T2 = length of common tangent
measured from V1 to V2
• θ = 180° - I
• x and y can be found from triangle V1-V2-PI.
• L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT
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Elements of Compound Curves
Finding the stationing of PT
Given the stationing of PC
Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of PI

Sta PT=Sta PI−x−T1+Lc1+Lc2
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Example 1. A PI is located at station
38+00.00 with a left deflection of
72°00'00"L. The compound curve
begins at station 33+50.00. The first
curve has a 700.00 ft radius and
30°00'00" central angle.
Determine the:
a) Radius of the 2nd Curve
b) Central angle of the 2nd curve
c) and the length of both curves.
30°00'00
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Solution:
We'll try a vertex triangle solution. Isolate the triangle and label the tangents:
Since we have the radius and central
angle of the first curve, we can compute
its tangent:
T1 = R1 x Tan (Δ1/2) – simple curve formula
T1 = 700.0 x Tan x (30°/2)
108°00’00”
T1 = 187.564 feet
Compute Δ2 using Equation D-1
Δ2 = 180°00’00” - 108°00’00” - 30°00’00”
Δ2 = 42°00’00”
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Solution:
We'll try a vertex triangle solution. Isolate the triangle and label the tangents:
Determine the distance from the PI1
to the PI which is a side of the
triangle. (Note: 1 Sta. = 100 Ft.)
BC-PI = (38+00.00) – (33+50.00)
BC-PI = 450.00
PI1-Pl = BC-PI-T1 = 450.0 - 187.564
PI1-Pl = BC-PI-T1 = 262.436 feet
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Solution:
We'll try a vertex triangle solution. Isolate the triangle and label the tangents:
The distance between PI1 and PI2 is
the sum of the curve tangents. Using
the Law of Sines and the known T 1,
we can compute T2.
PI1-PI2 = T1 + T2 = 187.564 + T2 42°00’00”

108°00’00”
187.564 + T2_ = 262.436___
Sin(108°00’00”) Sin(42°00’00”)

T = 185.444 feet
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Solution:
We'll try a vertex triangle solution. Isolate the triangle and label the tangents:
Using T2 and Δ2, R2 can be
determined.
T2 = R2 x Tan(Δ2/2)
R2 = T2/Tan(Δ2/2)
42°00’00”
R2 = 185.444/Tan(42°00’00”/2)
R2 = 483.098 feet
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Solution:
We'll try a vertex triangle solution. Isolate the triangle and label the tangents:
Finally, compute each curve's length.

Degree of curve arc basis formula

Length of curve formula

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Reversed Curves
A reverse curve is composed of
two or more simple curves
turning in opposite directions.
Their points of intersection lie on
opposite ends of a common
tangent, and the PT of the first
curve is coincident with the PC
of the second. This point is called
the point of reverse curvature
(PRC).
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Reversed Curves
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.
Reverse curves are useful when laying
out such things as pipelines, flumes, and
levees. The surveyor may also use them
on low-speed roads and railroads. They
cannot be used on high-speed roads or
railroads since they cannot be properly
superelevated at the PRC.
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Elements of Reversed Curves
• 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
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Elements of Reversed Curves
• L1 = length of first chord
• L2 = length of second chord
• T1 + T2 = length of common tangent
measured from V1 to V2
Finding the stationing of PT
Given the stationing of PC
Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of V1

Sta PT=Sta V1−T1+Lc1+Lc2
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Reversed Curve for Nonparallel Tangents
The following figure is an
example reversed curves of
unequal radii connecting non-
parallel tangents.
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Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents
The figure below is an example
of reversed curves of unequal
radii connecting two parallel
roads.
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Example 2. A reversed curve with diverging tangent is to be designed to connect to
three traversed lines for the portion of the proposed highway. The lines AB is 185 m,
BC is 122.40 m, and CD is 285 m. The azimuth are Due East, 242°, and 302°
respectively. The following are the cost index and specification:
Type of Pavement = Item 311 (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement)
Number of Lanes = Two Lanes
Width of Pavement = 3.05 m per lane
Thickness of Pavement = 280 mm
Unit Cost = P1,800 per square meter
It is necessary that the PRC (Point of Reversed Curvature) must be one-fourth the
distance BC from B.
a) Find the radius of the first curve.
b) Find the length of road from A to D. Use arc basis.
c) Find the cost of the concrete pavement from A to D.
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Solution:

2.4
12

185.0 28
5. 0

Length of A–PC = AB – T1 = 185.0 – 30.60

Length of A–PC = 154.40 m
Length of PT–D = CD – T2 = 285.0 – 91.80
Length of PT–D = 193.20 m
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Solution:
Length A–PC = 185.0 – T1 = 185.0 – 30.40
Length A–PC = 154.40 m
Length PT–D = 285.0 – T2 = 285.0 – 91.80
Length PT–D = 193.20 m
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Solution:
Area of Road Pavement:
A = 154.40x6.10 + 59.98x6.10 + 166.50x6.10 + 193.20x6.10
A = 941.84 + 365.86 + 1015.68 + 1178.52
A = 3,501.90 m2

Cost of Concrete Pavement:

C = 1,800 x 3,501.90 = P 6,303,420.0
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Spiral Curves
Spirals are used to overcome the
abrupt change in curvature and
super-elevation that occurs
between tangent and circular
curve. The spiral curve is used to
gradually change the curvature
and super-elevation of the road,
thus called transition curve.
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Elements of Spiral Curves
• 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
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Elements of Spiral Curves
• 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
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Elements of Spiral Curves
• 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
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, Y = Yc, thus,

Offset distance from tangent to any point on

the spiral:
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
At L = Ls, X = Xc, thus,

Length of throw:

Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the

spiral (in radian):
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
At L = Ls, θ = θs, thus,

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, i = is, thus,

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Formulas for Spiral Curves
This angle is proportional to the square of its distance
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
Tangent distance:

Angle of intersection of simple curve:

External distance:
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
Degree of spiral curve:

Super elevation

Considering 75% of K to counteract super-

elevation

K = design speed
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Formulas for Spiral Curves
Desired length of spiral:
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Example 3. The tangents of a spiral curve has azimuths of 226° and 221°
respectively. The minimum length of spiral is 40 m with a minimum super-
elevation of 0.10 m/m width of roadway. The maximum velocity to pass over the
curve is 70 kph. Assume width of roadway to be 9m.
a) Determine the degree of simple curve.
b) Determine the length of spiral each end of simple curve.
c) Determine the super-elevation of the first 10m from SC on the spiral.
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Solution:
a)
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Solution:
b) Length of spiral

c) Super-elevation at first 0 m from SC