Spiral Curve | Transition 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

= Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral

s = 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 to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, Y = Yc, thus,

Offset distance from tangent to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, X = Xc, thus,

Length of throw:

Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral (in radian):

At L = Ls, = s, thus,

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, i = is, thus,

This angle is proportional to the square of its distance

Tangent distance:

Angle of intersection of simple curve:

External distance:

Degree of spiral curve: