Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Table of contents
Introduction

--------------------------------------------------------------2

Objectives and instruments ---------------------------------------------- 3

Procedure and Computation --------------------------------------------4
Preliminary data sheet ----------------------------------------------------5
Sample Computations -----------------------------------------------------6
Sketch -------------------------------------------------------------------------7
Final data sheet -------------------------------------------------------------8
Pictures ----------------------------------------------------------------------10
Research and discussions ------------------------------------------------11
Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------13

Introduction
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
1

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

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).
Reversed curves exist where there are two changes in direction, with the
second change going in the opposite direction. In other words, two curves
are attached to each other and the centers of the curves are on opposite
sides of the proposed route of travel. There are basically two different ways
in which the reverse curve can be constructed: parallel and non-parallel
tangents. The solution to this particular set of curves depends upon what
values are given. Generally, the problem can be approached as two different
curves that happen to be attached. The PRC is the point of reversed curve. It
represents the PT for the first curve and the PC for the second curve.

Objectives:
1. To be able to lay a reverse curve by incremental chords and deflection
angle method.
2

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

2. To master the skill in leveling, orienting and using the transit/

theodolite effectively.
3. To work cooperatively with ones group mates and efficiently perform
the required task

Instruments:
A theodolite is a precision
instrument used for
measuring angles both
horizontally and vertically.
Theodolites can rotate along
their horizontal axis as well
as their vertical axis.

Tape
Used to measure horizontal
distances as well as slopes. Usually
in 30m, 50m or 100m in length.

Marking pins
2 range poles
Straight round stalks, 3 to 4 cm thick
and about 2 m long. They are made
of wood or metal. They are used to
mark areas and to set out straight lines
on the field. They are also used to mark
points which must be seen from a
distance, in which case a flag may be
attached to improve the visibility.

Procedures:
1. The professor gives the following data:
3

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

1st Curve

2nd Curve

D1= _____ ; d1= _____ ;

d2= _____

D1= _____ ; d1= _____ ; d2= _____

Let I = d1 + 5D +d2 =
________

Let I = d1 + 7D +d2 = ________

Sta. PC = ______ (Preferably not a full station so that there

will be d1 of the first curve)
Adopt Full chord length of ____m (Preferably 2m to 5m)
2. Compute the elements of the reverse curve given the data
above.
3. Set the transit at PC. Level and orient the transit at the
magnetic south while vernier A is at zero reading.
4. Sight the location of vertex V1 following the given direction of
the back tangent T1 and mark the location on the ground at a
distance T1 from PC.
5. Set the horizontal vernier A to zero again and start locating
intermediate points of the first curve until you reach PCC using
incremental chord lengths and their deflection angle from the
backward tangent.
6. Upon staking the position of PRC, transfer the instrument over
PRC.
7. Again, level the instrument and with the telescope inverted
position sight the V1.
8. After locating V1, plunge the telescope into the normal position
and locate V2, which is along the line from V 1to PCC, and at a
computed distance T2 from PCC.
9. Drive a pin directly on V2.
10.
Once again set the horizontal vernier A at zero reading
while sighting the position of V2.
11.
Using the incremental chord lengths and their deflection
angle lay intermediate points of the second curve on the
ground until you reach PT.

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Preliminary Data Sheet:

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Sample Computations:
6

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Sketch:
7

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Final Data Sheet

8

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Field Work 5

Laying of a Reverse Curve using Transit

and Tape
Date: Nov. 5, 2015

Group No.: 4

Time: 12pm-4:30pm
Weather: Sunny

Location: Rizal Park

Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied:
1st Curve
D1= 8 ;

2nd Curve
d1= 4 ;

d2=1

Let I = d1 + 5D +d2 = 45

D1= 11 ;

d1= 10 ;

d2= 2

Let I = d1 + 7D +d2 = 89

Sta. PC = 10+001 (Preferably not a full station so that there will be d 1 of the first
curve)
Adopt Full chord length of 2m (Preferably 2m to 5m)
STATION
OCCUPIED

OBSERVED

INCREMENTA
L CHORD

PC
A
B
C
D
E
F
PCC
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N

A
B
C
D
E
F
PCC
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
PT

1m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
0.25m
1.75m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
0.45m

CENTRAL
INCREMENTA
L CHORD
4
8
8
8
8
8
1
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
2

Computed Length of the Long Chord C1: 10.97m

Computed Length of the Long Chord C2: 14.62m

SUMMATION
OF
DEFLECTION
ANGLES
2
6
10
14
18
22
0.5
5
10.5
16
21.5
27
32.5
38
43.5
1
Actual: 11.10m
Actual: 14.75m

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Sample Computations:

1st Curve

2
2
R=
=14.33 m
8
sin
2
I1
45
=2 ( 14.33 ) sin
=10.97 m
2
2
I
45
T 1 =Rtan 1 =( 14.33 ) tan
=5.94 m
2
2

C=2 Rsin

Sta . PCC=Sta. PC + LC 1=( 10+001 ) + ( 45 )

( 180 ) ( 14.33 ) ]=10+ 012.25

c 1=first full stationSta . PC =( 10+002 ) + ( 10+001 )=1 m

c 2=Sta. PCC last full station=( 10+012.25 )+ (10+ 012 )=0.25 m
d1
=2
2
d 1+ D
=6
2
d 1+2 D
=10
2

d 1+3 D
=14
2
d 1+ 4 D
=18
2
d 1+5 D
=22
2

2nd curve

2
2
R=
=10.43 m
11
sin
2
I2
89
=2 ( 10.43 ) sin
=14.62m
2
2
I
89
T 1 =Rtan 2 =( 10.43 ) tan
=10.25 m
2
2

C=2 Rsin

[ ( )

( 10.43 ) =10+ 028.45

180
c 1=first full stationSta . PCC= (10+ 014 ) + ( 10+012.25 )=1.75 m
c 2=Sta . PT last full station=( 10+ 028.45 ) + ( 10+028 ) =0.45 m
Sta . PT =Sta. PCC + LC 2=( 10+012.25 ) + ( 89 )

10

Laying of a reverse CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

d1
=5
2
d 1+ D
=10.5
2
d 1+2 D
=16
2
d 1+3 D
=21.5
2

d 1+ 4 D
=27
2
d 1+5 D
=32.5
2
d 1+6 D
=38
2
d 1+7 D
=43.
2

11

Pictures:

Laying out the first point on

the
first curve.
Locating station PI of the
Points on the first curve.
first Curve

Measuring C1

Laying out the 2nd curve

Measuring C2.

(Reversed curve)

Research and Discussions:

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

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of V1

Sta PT=Sta V1T1+Lc1+Lc2

Reversed Curve for Nonparallel Tangents

The following figure is an example reversed curves of unequal radii
connecting non-parallel tangents.

Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents

The figure below is an example of reversed curves of unequal radii
connecting two parallel roads.

Conclusion:
When conditions do not permit a simple curve, the change in direction may
be accomplished by locating a reverese curve. On a high-speed routes,
reverse curves are inadmissible. This is particularly true on highways and
railroads bacause opposite superelevation at the point of reversal cannot be
provided. If the area beyond the PI must be used for the location, the two
arcs of the reverese curve should be separated by a tangent long enough to
permit proper operating conditions. This should be at least as long as the
length of the longest vehicle using the raod.
Reverse curves may be used to advantage on closed conduits such as
aqueducts and pipe lines; on flumes and canals where erosion is no problem;
and on local roads, in railroad yards, or in similar location where speeds are
low.
In the field work, establishing the PI of the first curve is essentail because it
would be the reference point to layout the common tangent of the two
reversed curves. After establising the PT of the first curve, relocate the
instrument from PC to station PT and back sight the PI of the first curve with
the instrument inverted and the horizontal vernier in zero. Then revert the
instrument to its normal position sighting the PI of the second curve. The
theodolite ould now be counter-clockwise in turn and the reading on the
horizontal vernier would be reversed and the deflection angles be subtracted

to 360. Like the simple curves, the procedures in laying out the reverse curve
is the same only it is important to determine the common tangent.