CE 350 Vertical Curve Handout Introduction Vertical curves are parabolic, so that the introductory rate of change is gradual, rather than the sudden vertical acceleration that would be produced by using a circular vertical curve. Since they are parabolic, second order equations may be written to describe them, These equations may be solved to determine X and Y coordinates (station and elevation) at any point on the curve. A second order equation can be differentiated to determine the point of zero slope, which is the high point or low point of the curve. This is very useful in designing drainage. The criteria governing vertical curve design are: sight distance over the crest or headlight sight distance into the sag, driver comfort, drainage, and general appearance. All of these criteria are ‘met if the designer uses the vertical curve criteria developed by AASHTO and printed in the ‘most recent edition of the “Green Book.” ‘There are several methods that can be used to solve for stations and elevations. Three of them are shown in the following pages. Review of formulas in the text Vertical offsets from the approach tangent gracle (G1) Vertical offsets from both approach and departure tangents (most common solution) 2004 AASHTO “Green Book” design criteria, Exhibits 3-71 and 3074 aepe1) Vertical curve elevations - Formulas from text Crest vertical curves (VCs) and sag VCs are designed in the same manner, except that the minimum lengths are different and drainage is usually more critical for sag vertical curves. 1)_Minimum lenath: 1 = KA where Kis distance (ft) per 1% change in slope of the VC. ‘AASHTO Greenbook Exhibits 3-71 & 3-74 give min allowable VC lengths and additional info (attached) {references in boxes refer to Highway Engioaring, th ed jot Wey, Inc} 2) Ean for Curve: {page 185] where A= algebraic ciference in grades (Gz ~G) or UEVe engin et X= de fom PvE 3) External Distance: ¢ = 4’ K/800 [page 185] And L have same definitions as item 2 4) Vert Offset from tangent (YI; Yr = (7 /(/2)?] @ properties of 2nd order curve ‘Lan oe oman ek ETL Dist 10 hihow S0ot yy = 251 proprio drt cane (G,- Ge) where X is distance In feet fram the PVC vPisia VPC Sta. Data = station, elev., and L VPT Sta. seine ev G,% 62% Bove --- Example Solution of a Sag VC ‘See example 7-42) Vertical Curve Example - calculating offsets (Y) from initial tangent A second order curve departs from the X axis (G,) at the rate of Y = cX* Solution 1) Calculate G, elevations at the VPC, VPI, VPC and full stations. 2) Calculate the "Y" values at the same stations using _y = ex? he max value of "C" is at the VPI, and is the distance between the elevation of G, and the elevation of G,. At any ther location the value of Y is proportional to (X/L}", 80 3) Add the G; elevations to the calculated Y values to get the curve (centerline) elevations. --- EXAMPLE PROBLEM VPC=sta0+00.00 VPI station = 5+00.00 VPT = sta 10+00.00 Elev = 80.00 1000 Ft vertical curve % grade meets +2% 19f Station _X() glonG, __Y_elovonch 10*00.00 1000.00 60.00 30.00 90.00 9+00.00 900.00 64.00 24.30 98.30 8+00.00 800.00 68.00 19.20 87.20 7+00.00 700.00 72.00 14.70 86.70 6+00.00 600.00 76.00 10.80 86.80 5+00.00 500.00 80.00 7.50 87.50 4+00.00 400.00 84.00 4.80 88.80 3+00.00 300.00 8800 270 90.70 2+00,00 200.00 9200 1.20 93.20 1400.00 100.00 96.00 0.30 96.30 0+00.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00 100.00 98.00 96.00 94.00 92.00 89.09 88.00 88.00 8400 2200 20.00 123456789013) Vertical Curve example - calculate offsets (Y) from tangent (each half done separately) This is the normal way to calculate vertical curve elevations. Second order curves depart the X axis, (G,) proportional to square of the distance from the origin (\y - ¢._ (*X)2 Same as prior example, owe “P ‘Max departure is at VPI, and is the extemal distance (e) for the curve. There are two ways to find e. (1) the curve passes half way between the long chord end the VPI, so calculate the elevations of the VPI and chord, to find the elevation half way between them. This gives you the value of e. (2) The curve equation can be writen with approach and departure grades, and solved to finde. where A= VPC Sta. Data = station, elev., and L VPT Sta, |X imaxvelie ofX=18} save misrarorcuve separatly Solution ‘Solve each half of the curve separately. Start with approach tangent (G,) 1) caloulate elevations on the tangent at VPC, VPI and full stations. 2) determine the value of e. 3) calculate Y values between VPC and VPI. 44) add the tangent elevations to the Y values to get the centerline-curve elevations, 5) repeat for the other half of the curve. Example Problem ~A%, G2 = +2%, L = 1000 ft, VPI Sta +00, Elevation 80.00 AL _Gi~G)L = [2% -(-4%))"1000}800 = 7.50 ft n° ae [2% - (-4%))*1000/800 zZ PC station = VPI - L/2 = 0+00.00; elev= VPlelev- © 100.00 VET station = VPI+ U2 =10+0000; elev= VP elev +, =90.00 2 For station 1400, X= 100, end @ = 7.50 (Gdns = 0.308 rete repeat for remaining stations Sta -X Imee _Y_ Clelev 500.00 500.00 80.00 7.60 87.60 4+00.00 400.00 8400 4.80 aa.80 3400.00 300.00 88.00 2,70 90.70 2+00.00 200.00 9200 1.20 9320 100.00 100.09 9600 0.30 98.30 000.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00CE 350 — Fall 2007 Vertical Curve Handout Drainage Maximom K=167 Growsesht | re ee ee ee ee) Langa ol eat versal env, ign — 2004 AASHTO “Green Book” Exhibit 3-74 Us CUSTOMARY sat ‘Drainage maximum K=167 | ~ ‘Computed values Set, 00 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 Longin ot sag vertical curva (8) 7900 2000