CURVE RANGING Circular Curves: Circular curves may be defined by either the radius of the curve, R, or the degree of curvature , D, being the angle subtended at the centre of the circle by an are of 100 meters, Note that sometimes a 100 unit chord has been used instead of the arc. The lengths of arc and its chord differ by approximately ¢/24R?, where arc length equals £ Setting Out Where curves are long and of large radius ( over 100 m ) a theodolite must be used to obtain the desired accuracy of setting out. ‘Small radius curves can be set out quickly and accurately by using tapes only. Small radius curves 1. Finding the centre. 2. Offsets from the tangent: When the deviation angle is small (less than 50° ) length of the curve short and the centre inaccessible, the curve can be set out by measuring offsets from the tangent. The offset y can be calculated for any distance x along the tangent 3. Offsets from the long chord: The curve is established by measuring offsets angles to the long chord at selected distances from the tangent points. ‘The major offset is given by y= (Rk) where kis a constant and is equal to : k= V3") And any other offset y, will be given by Jn= CR 4, Offsets from chords produced Large radius curves 1. Offsets from chords produced. 2. Tangential angles 3. Using two tangents.CURVE RANGING ‘Small radius curves (less than 100m) ‘Setting out by offsets from chords produced Length of chord: In this method of setting out curves, chords have to be chosen such that the difference in length between the chord and arc is as small as possible. The chord length should not be greater than one-tenth of the length of the radius. The error caused by assuming that the chord equals the arc is 1 in 2400 which is acceptable for much construction work. Procedure for setting out the curve In the figure, T is the tangent point set out as before by measuring back the distance IT from the intersection point |. The procedure for setting out the curve is as follows: select a length, c, less than one-tenth the length of the radius and lay off the distance from the point T along the straight towards | Mark the point B. calculate the offset y, and swing the tape from T through the arc y; to establish point C on the curve. Drive in a peg and mark C accurately with a nail. extend the chord TC for a further distance of ¢ metres and mark point D calculate the second offsets yz and swing the tape from C through the arc y2 to establish point F on the curve repeat operations to establish further pegs H, etc., on the curve. ‘The offset distance in each case is y2 ‘Ast offset y; =C2R 2nd and subsequent offsets yp =c'/RUNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS FACULTY OF ENGINEERING CIRCULAR CURVES 1. Two straights Al and IB have bearings of N 80° E and S 70° E respectively. They are to be joined by a circular curve of 300 m radius. The chainage of the intersection point | is 872.485 m. Calculate the data for setting out the curve by 20 m standard chords. 2. Two straights Al and IB deviate to the left by 80° 36’. They are to be joined by a circular curve such that the shortest distance between the curve and intersection point is 25.3 m. Calculate (i) the radius of the curve (ii) the lengths of the long chord and major offset. 3. The straight lines ABI and CDI are tangents to @ proposed circular curve of radius 1600 m. The lengths AB and CD are each 1200 m. The intersection point is inaccessible so that it is not possible directly to measure the deflection angle; but the angles at B and D are measured as : Angle ABD = 123° 48', angle BDC = 126° 12’ and the length BD is 1485.0 m Calculate the distances from A and C of the tangent points on their respective straights and calculate the deflection angles for setting out 30m chords from one of the tangent points. 4. A circular curve 800 m radius has been set out connecting two straights with a deflection angle of 42° . It is decided, for construction reasons, that the mid-point of the curve must be moved 4 m towards the centre, le. away from the intersection point. The alignment of the straights is to remain unaltered. Calculate: (a) the radius of the new curve, : (b) the distances from the intersection point to the new tangent points, (0) the deflection angles required for setting out 30 m chords of the new curve (d) the length of the final sub-chord.Large radius curves The pegs are usually set on the curve at intervals of one tape length measured from the point of zero chainage A. The first chord is nearly always less than one tape length. In the figure the initial chord is c, metres long and all others are the standard one-tape length c metres. For initial sub-chord, offsety, = ¢/7/2R DE/EC = Caley therefore offset DE yy * Coley = ye/2R : Asbefore EF = F2R Offsety, =DF=(DE+EF) =cc/2R +6,7/2R = €,(C, + C2) /2R Offset y; = ¢,7/R (for subsequent full chords) Example: A 300-m radius curve is to be set out by offsets from chords. The chainages of the first and second tangent points are 327.5 m and 425.3 m respectively, Calculate the lengths of the offsets to set out pegs at even chainage of 20 m.This method involves the use of tape and theodolite and is the ‘common method of setting out large radius curves when accuracy is required. Calculation of tangential angles: Angle ITB is the angle between tangent TI and chord TB. * : Angle TOB is the angle at the centre subtended by chord TB Therefore angle ITB = 1/2 angle TOB OX is the perpendicular bisector of chord TB. Therefore sin TOX = TX/TO 2R This gives the formula for calculating tangential angle ‘Since the tangential angle is always small, a. radians = c/2R a degres = of2R* 180/n o minutes = C/2R * 180°60/n therefore a (c* 1718.9/ R) minutes