MAPA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila

School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

FIELD WORK NO. 2

LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE BY
USING THE TAPE ALONE

COURSE AND SECTION: CE 121-0F/C10

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME: PALILEO,Manuel Elijah C. STUDENT NUMBER: 2015111996

GROUP NO: 6 CHIEF OF PARTY: Mabutol, Allyza

DATE OF FIELDWORK:

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 December 2017

SUBMITTED TO:
GRADE
PROFESSOR: ENGR. BIENVENIDO CERVANTES
FIELD WORK NO.2: LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE BY USING THE TAPE ALONE
(INCREMENTAL CHORD AND TANGENT OFFSET METHOD)

DATE: GROUP NO. : 6

TIME: 12:00 PM- 4:30 NN LOCATION:
WEATHER: SUNNY PROFESSOR: ENGR. BIENVENIDO CERVANTES

DATA SUPPLIED

I = 61 R = 220 m
Station of the PC: 13+876.81 (Preferably not on a full station mark)
Adopt Full chord length of 20 m (Preferably in between 2m-5m)
Station Offset Distances
Occupied Observed Chord Central Angle x y
PC A 3.19 0o4950.84 3.19 0.05
A B 20 5o1231.35 19.97 1.05
B C 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

C D 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

D E 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

E F 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

F G 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

G H 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

H I 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

I J 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

J K 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

K L 20 5o1231.35 19.92 1.81

L PT 11.03 2o5221.37 11.00 0.78

COMPUTED LENGTH OF THE CHORD: 234.22 m Percent Error:1.46%

ACTUAL LENGTH OF THE CHORD: 237.69 m
 RESEARCH
There are four types of horizontal curves. They are described as follows:

1. SIMPLE - The simple curve is an arc of a circle. The radius of the circle
determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve.
2. COMPOUND - Frequently, the terrain will require the use of compound curve.
This curve normally consists of two simple curves joined together and curving in
the same direction.
3. REVERSE - A reverse curve consists of two simple curves joined together, but
the curving in opposite direction. For safety reasons, the use of this curve should
be avoided when possible.
4. SPIRAL - The spiral is a curve that has a varying radius. It is used on railroads
and the most modem highways. Its purpose is to provide a transition from the
tangent to a simple curve or between simple curves in a compound curve.

DISCUSSION

The third surveying field work that our class had was entitled, Laying of a Simple Curve
by Using the Tape Alone (Incremental Chord and Tangent Offset Method). The main objective of
this fieldwork is for us to be able to lay a simple curve by using the tape alone. With this fieldwork,
I can say that my knowledge about simple curves really improved.

Since this fieldwork only involved tape measuring, almost all of the members in our group
helped as a tape man throughout the whole fieldwork. I also volunteered as one of the recorders
for this fieldwork. The equipment that we used for this activity were two range poles, chalks, and
a 50 meter tape. Before our class went to the location for the fieldwork, our professor explained to
us once again the important techniques and reminders in doing this fieldwork. Based from our
experiences from previous fieldworks, our group stayed in the classroom for a while and
strategized the things to do once we arrived at our surveying location.

We were told to use the same given data from the previous fieldwork. With this, we were
able to solve for the other elements of the simple curve using the formulas given to us during our
lecture classes. We were able to determine the values of the chords, central angles, and offset
distances at different points and also the computed length of the chord, which is equal to the
computed length of the chord from our previous experiment.

After finishing the computations, our group immediately went to MIT Parking Lot, which
is our usual surveying location.

It was really hot during that day which is why our group chose a spot most convenient for
us. We also used a straight line painted in the road as a guide while using the measuring tape. Just
like what happened during our previous fieldwork, we took the initiative of using a 1:20 ratio while
considering the effectiveness of the simple curves layout. The first thing we did in laying out the
curve was to choose the position of the PC. Next, the front tape man should hold the 0 mark of the
tape at station PC. The tangent offset tape man (man at station A) should hold and locate the length
x1 mark, loop the tape and hold also the next full meter length. The point A tape man should locate
the hold the y1 length of the tape from the tangent offset tape man and also loop the tape and hold
the next full meter length of the tape. The front tape man while holding the zero mark of the tape
must also hold the c1 tape length distance from point A tape man. The front tape man and tangent
offset tape man should align themselves in the direction of the back tangent of the simple curve.
The three tape man should stretch the tape and the point A tape man should mark its exact position
on the ground with a marking pin or a chalk if on pavement.

Station B is now laid on the ground using the procedure below. The front tape man holds
the 0 mark of the tape at station A. The tangent offset tape man (man at station B) holds and locates
the length x2 mark, loop the tape and hold also the next full meter length. The point B tape man
locates and holds y2 length of the tape from the tangent offset tape man; he also loops the tape and
holds the next full meter length of the tape. The front tape man while holding the zero mark of the
tape also holds the c tape length distance from point B tape man. The front tape man and tangent
offset tape man align themselves in the direction along the prolongation of line PC to A. Station C
and other full stations are now laid on the ground using the same procedures A to the last station.
Station PT is laid in the same manner as above but this time with a chord length of only c2. After
finishing the layout of the simple curve using measuring tape, well also use this to measure the
actual value of the length of the chord.

After gathering the data that we need for this fieldwork, our group went back to the
surveying office and returned the equipment that we have used. We reviewed and analysed the
results we have gathered. The computed length of the chord that we had was 356.67m while the
actual length of the chord that we have measured during the fieldwork was 356m.

We are also to determine the percentage of error by using the formula:

% = | | %

From the computations that we had, our group was able to get a percentage error of less
than 1%. This gave us the idea that our fieldwork as a big success, however our group committed
a small but terrible mistake when computing for the y offset distance of station A to B. Our
professor informed us that the formula, written on the book, for the second deflection angle is
wrong. Despite this error, I personally think that an error of less than 1% is acceptable.
 CONCLUSION

Our group conducted the third fieldwork in our surveying class that deals with the elements
of a simple curve. In this fieldwork, was again amazed on experimenting how the principle of the
simple curve works. One of the difficulties we encountered in performing this fieldwork was with
the use of chalks in drawing on the road. I recommend others to have a different set of colours for
the chalks to have easier guidelines in the perpendicular x and y distances. Based from what we
experienced during our fieldwork, it is still advisable to choose a spot that could help quicken the
performance of the group. In our case, choosing a spot under some trees helped us when it comes
to our strength in performing.

After performing this fieldwork, I could say that our group was able to achieve our
objectives for this activity. It is achievable to lay out a simple curve using only a meter tape by
incremental chord and tangent offset method. It can be concluded that we were successful in
performing the fieldwork. From my experience with the fieldwork and the previous fieldwork, I
must say that I prefer this method even though its not too practical.

All in all, I consider the second fieldwork as a success since we got a percentage
difference of less than 1%. We also considered checking other groups data for confirmation
whether our fieldwork was a success and this also proved that we were able to do this fieldwork
the right way. Our group was also able to apply our different skills and worked as one to finish
the fieldwork in a faster and more efficient way.