Chapter 4

THEODOLITE

ECG345 JUN-OCT2015_CHAPTER 4
LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of this lecture, student should be able
to:

• Define and describe handling and calibration of

equipment, traverse, booking technique,
calculation and error in traverse computation.

• Explain the application of Theodolite in control

surveying for horizontal and vertical road curve,
building and drainage setting.

ECG345 JUN-OCT2015_CHAPTER 4
Introduction
This chapter is divided into two parts:
 Part I
Introduction of theodolite = 4 hours
 Part II
Application of theodolite: Setting out of Curve = 4 hours
What is theodolite
Theodolite is a very precise equipment used to measure
horizontal angles and vertical angles.

Every theodolite consisted of a small mounted

telescope that can be rotated horizontally and vertically.
Introduction to theodolite
Basic component
of theodolite.
Purpose
 Theodolite is used to:
 Measure horizontal angle (bearing) in horizontal axis
and vertical angle in vertical axis
 Measure deflection angle between two straight lines
δ = deflection

I = Intersection

 Measure magnetic bearing

 From which compass must be setup first
 As if theodolite will function as electronic compass
Purpose
 Measure horizontal distance – using formula (usually in
tacheometry)
 Finding the vertical height/distance
 Finding difference elevation between points (usually in
tacheometry)
 Ranging a straight line

Vertical
distance

horizontal
distance
Important terminology and definitions
 Centering – center of theodolite coincide with peg
 The setting of equipment over the station mark (peg)
by:
 Using plumbob suspended freely below the tripod hook.
 Using theodolite optical plummet on survey peg.
 Transiting
 The method of turning telescope about horizontal axis
through 180° rotation.
 Resulting in a change of face. From Left »« Right
Important terminology and definitions
 Face Left Observation or Telescope normal
 Means that the vertical circle of the theodolite is on the
left side of the observer.
 Face Right Observation or Telescope inverted
 Means that the vertical circle of the theodolite is on the
right side of the observer.
Types of Theodolite
 There are three types of thedolites based on how the
angle is read
1. Vernier Theodolite
 Angle is read using vernier scale
2. Optic Theodolite
 Angle is read through the telescope
 Like “microscope”
3. Electronic Theodolite
 Angle is displayed electronically
Vernier Theodolite
 One of the earliest theodolite used in measuring
angles.
 It had the basic elements such as:
 Telescope
 Vertical circle – vernier scale
 Horizontal circle – vernier scale
 Leveling bubble
 The reading is based on vernier scale.
 Has not been used in survey nowadays
(obsolete).
Optical Theodolite
 Features:
 Improvement from previous version
 The circle is etched on glass, usually every degree and
micrometers are used to increase accuracy of reading i.e.
sec.
 Possible to remove the instrument from the tribrach and
replaceable with a target.
 Better precision data compare to vernier theodolite.
Electronic Theodolite
 This theodolite gives reading in digital form.
 Using microprocessor (cpu) systems to count divisions and to convert
movement to an angular reading.
 The reading appear automatically in:
 LED – Liquefied Electronic Display
 LCD – Liquefied Crystal Display
 Some theodolite used EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement) to
calculate distance and data logger or computer (to store data).
 Typically EDM is equipped with theodolite and reflector so that
distance can be measured simultaneously.
Leveling the instrument
 Similar to an auto level except that more accurate
bubbles are used.
 It has pond bubble and plate bubble).

pond bubble plate bubble

Theodolite reading system
A. Direct Reading System

H = 147° 6’
V = 88° 25’
Theodolite reading system
B. Micrometer Reading System
Degree No = 094⁰
Minute No = 10’
Micrometer scale = 2’ 44”
V = 094° 12’ 44”
Theodolite reading system
C. Electronic Reading System

Reading is
automatically display
on the LCD / LED panel
Collimating the Instrument
(Removal of Parallax)
 Similar as an auto level
 Point instrument to infinity (the sky) or to a piece of
paper, adjust eyepiece so cross‐hairs are clear and fine.
 Focus on the target using the focusing knob or clamp
and check for clear and sharp image.
Theodolite – Measuring Angles

 Let say we want to measure angle XYZ.

 We set up the theodolite at Y
 We need a target at X and Z (use ranging rod)
 Select one station as reference object (RO) say X.
 Point theodolite at x and set the horizontal angle zero (0°).
 Make sure the sight at x is on face left.
Theodolite – Measuring Angles

 Rotate the theodolite to the right, and sight Z and record

the angle
 Transit the telescope (to be face right) and sight Z again;
record the horizontal angle (0).
 Rotate the theodolite to the left and sight X again.
 Finally average the horizontal angle between both
observations.
Calibration of equipment
 The calibration of theodolite is important as the other
equipment's. Checking or adjusting (by comparison with a
standard
 The important checklists to be prepared are as follow:
1. Damage
2. Plummet
3. Bubbles
4. Cross hair verticality
5. Vertical angles
6. Horizontal angles
7. Tilting axis
 *Remember, checks must be done in this order 1 to 7
1-Damage
a) Obvious physical damage, broken pieces (instrument &
accessories). Screw, lense, including tripod, etc.
b) Water penetration (cloudy optics). Vapor lenses.
c) Battery condition, leakage lead to electronic failure
(replace if necessary).
d) All clamps/knobs/screws are in working order.
e) Does everything work properly
2-Optical Plummet or Laser Plummet
The line of collimation of plummet must coincide with vertical
axis at any rotation.
a) Procedure : Set the tripod and theodolite 1.5 m height.
b) Put a piece of white paper on the ground below the
instrument and mark where the plummet laser intersects.
c) Rotate the telescope 180° and make a second mark, if the
mark coincide then the plummet is in adjustment
d) If not the correct position is midway between the two marks
e) Optical Plummet or Laser Plummet allowable error at +/-
2mm at 1.5 meters height.
 Optical plumet

1.5 m

2mm

Rotation 180⁰
3-Bubbles
 In perfect condition, the bubble will remain on-center
when telescope is rotated to 360°
 Test is conducted if the bubble off-center during telescope
rotation.
a) Level the instrument. Position the bubble in center.
b) Rotate the telescope 180°. If off center then use the foot
screws bring the bubble halfway back to centre.
c) Using the capstan screw. Bring the bubble to centre, this
correct the true horizontal axis of the plummet.
 Capstan screw
 Buble adjustment

In perfect condition When telescope is Using foot screw

buble remain at rotate 180⁰, buble will adjust buble go back
center at any SLIGHTLY run off halfway.
rotation. centre. Adjust remaining
halfway by capstan
screw
4-Cross hair verticality
Bisect a clear object (target)
at the top through eyepiece.
(Turn telescope down to do
this)

Elevate the telescope and

check that the vertical
crosshair still bisects the
mark.
Angle corrections
 Vertical index error
10” for 1” ints.
This is allowable error by using
24” for 6” ints.
theodolite equipment known as
60” for 20” ints.
manufacturer’s tolerance

 Horizontal index error Horizontal and vertical index

10” for 1” ints. errors are determined by
24” for 6” ints. calibration and are removed by
60” for 20” ints. mechanical adjustment.
5-Vertical angles
a) Bisect a clear object about 100 m distant.
b) Record the vertical circle reading.
c) Transit telescope – i.e. change of face
d) Bisect the same object as before.
e) Record the vertical circle reading.
f) The sum of the readings should be 360° +/- the
manufacturer’s tolerance.
6-Horizontal angles
a) Bisect a clear object about 100 m distant.
b) Record the horizontal circle reading.
c) Transit telescope i.e. – change of face
d) Bisect the same object as before.
e) Record the horizontal circle reading.
f) The sum of the readings should be 180° +/- the
manufacturer’s tolerance.
7-Tilting axis check
a) Sight a high object e.g. top of electrical pole.
b) Read a level staff at bottom. Record the vertical angle
and staff reading
c) Transit telescope i.e. change face
d) Repeat a) and b) and observe exactly at same point
e) Are both readings the same? If yes, the tilting axis is
in adjustment.
Categories of Traverse
 First Order Traverse
 Total lines of up to 50 km and angles measured with a
precise theodolite.
 Error of 1:100000 might be expected.
 i.e. 1 mm error for 100 m traverse length
 What is allowable sum of error for 50km traverse length?
 500 mm error of 50 km traverse
 These are used to form grids e.g. state grid and for large
scale mapping purposes e.g. ordinary country map.
Categories of Traverse
 Precise Control Traverse
 Lines up to 1 km (use an infra red EDM + prism as
reflector),
 Angles are measured with a 1 sec. theodolite.
 Normally used for large construction projects.
Categories of Traverse
 Less Accurate
 Up to 250 m lines
 Use with steel band, tape (or EDM if available)
 Use 20 sec theodolite.
 Applicable for smaller to medium construction projects
 Setting out the control points
 Setting out = placing things at the right position
 Setting out curve, column centre line, foundation etc
Choice of Traverse Stations
 Firstly, map, plan, or sketch is required. Walk over the
site first then;
 Observe surrounding area, look for any obstacle
 Select suitable control points
 Records every details in survey log book
 Keep traverse lines as long as possible to minimize
centering errors.
 Good visibility is needed between stations for the
main lines. Ensure at least two points are inter visible.
Choice of Traverse Stations
 Use additional sights (across the traverse survey) for
checking purposes. (optional)
 Establish the points of the traverse by using (steel star
pickets or permanent markers in concrete, pain etc).

 Keep line of sight is at least 1 m above ground to avoid

refraction error. (i.e. height of instrument)
Measurement of traverse lines
 Most theodolite nowdays use an EDM to measure
distance.
 An EDM must be used with prism as reflector.
 EDMs usually share the same position as theodolite
(i.e. they situated on top of the theodolite) = total
station.
EDM
 A C

i. First set tripods at A B and C

ii. Set targets (prism) at A and C
iii. Set theodolite at B
iv. Measure line A B and BC
v. Second take tripod A and move it from A to D.
vi. Remove only theodolite at B, (Let the tribrach stay at B )
vii. Install theodolite on tribrach at C . (Target is removed here)
viii. Replace targets on tribrach at B and then D .
ix. Measure line CB and CD
Angular Measurement
 Firstly surveyor must know reference bearing.
 Reference bearing is usually obtained from compass.
 Since compass yields a magnetic bearing, therefore the
reference bearing is also a magnetic bearing.
Angular Measurement
F
L6 E
L1 L5

D
A (n-2)180°

L2 L4

L3 C
B

 Sum of all internal angles = (n‐2) * 180° (where n = no. of angles or no

of sides).
 A large error in the sum of angles means that some angles must be re-
measured.
Theodolite traverse computation
 Mostly apply to closed loop traverse, i.e. known start
and end point position.
 All angles of a polygon and the lengths of all sides are
measured.
 Bowditch’s method is used for adjustment of computed
delta easting’s and delta northing’s.
 Changing direction to east or changing direction north
Theodolite traverse computation
 Bowditch’s method was originally developed for the
adjustment of compass traverses
 Why? Because the lengths are more accurately
measured than the bearings (due to L.A).
 Therefore it is also more applicable to theodolite/EDM
traverses
 Why? the distances are more accurately measured
(EDM) than taped distances.
Theodolite booking technique and procedure
i. There are two booking techniques: included angle
method and mean bearing method.
ii. Type of data observed depend on methods used:
A. Included angle method : included angle and distance
 Only bearing for 1st traverse line is observed.
 No need to find mean bearing for next/other lines.
 All included angles can be calculated on site.
 Other bearings are calculated in office.
 Included Angle A
Method

Bearing 1st line

B
C
Theodolite booking technique and procedure
B. Mean bearing method : bearing and distance
 Need to calculate mean bearing for next line on site.
 Error happen due to miss calculate mean bearing.
 All bearings can be obtained directly on side.
 Included angles are calculated in office.

#Both methods yield same included angles and bearings.

Theodolite booking technique and procedure
iii. Readings are recorded using standard form:
a) Included angle method:
 To calculate the included angle
 To perform angle correction
 To calculate the corrected bearing
Theodolite booking technique and procedure
b) Mean bearing method:
 To calculate the mean bearing
 To apply appropriate bearing correction
 To calculate the corrected included angle
Theodolite booking technique and procedure
iv. Presentation:
 Bearings are plot manually on
graph paper, AutoCAD, etc
 Complete with particular:
 Project/traverse title
 Scale used 1:100, 1:200 etc.
 North direction
 Station coordinates
 Bearings of lines
 Distance
 Surveyor name
 Date, location, etc
Theodolite booking technique and procedure
v. Interpretation and applications:
 To prepare map or grid lines of survey area
 Coordinate of station on ground or coordinate in map
 Plan area of the traverse
 Setting out of civil engineering structure inside traverse
Latitude and departure
 These two terms are very important in theodolite survey.
 They are used to determine the coordinate of every traverse
station.
 From previous notes, we have calculated the distance, and
then bearing of the points.
 Using both information, we can determine the coordinates,
provided that one coordinate of any one point is known or
assumed.
Latitude and departure
Latitude = L cos θ
L & θ is distance and
bearing

Departure = L sin θ

Latitude is a line parallel to y axis (north-south)

Departure is a line parallel to x axis (east-west)

Closing error
 Occur when the finishing point is
not connected/coincided with
starting points
 It is detected when the sum of
latitude and departure is not equal
to zero (0)
 Due to errors and mistakes in field
measurements of angle and distance
Closing error
i. Figure shown point A1(end point) and
A(starting point) not coincide.
ii. So the linear distance between A to A1
is called as closing error
iii. The closing error is contributed by two
components :
i. Sum of latit, ∑L (y-axis)
ii. Sum of depat, ∑D (x-axis)
Closing error
i. Relative closing error is the proportion
between the closing error and
perimeter of the traverse.
ii. Permissible angular error = least count
x square root of N. where N is number
of sides
 Closing error

Error from field work < permissible closing error.

Sample booking form
From Final To
Station Angle Distance
station angle station

Face left Face right Mean

2 2 3

3 3 4

4 4 5

5
Example 4.1
 Find the included angle of the following theodolite
traverse. Apply the correction if necessary.
2 Minutes analysis
 What data is given?
 Only one bearing
 Others are included angle
 What should be checked 1st
 Sum of included angle is (n-2)180°?
 If not equal, apply correction, but how?
 Divided the corrected error with no of sides.
Solution
Station Observed Angle Correction Adjusted Angle

A 75° 24’ -1’ 75° 23’

B 128° 22’ -1’ 128° 21’

C 105° 52’ -1’ 105° 51’

D 110° 11’ -1’ 110° 10’

E 120° 16’ -1’ 120° 15’

Total 540° 5’ 540°

Example 4.2
 Using the given bearing EA (224° 26’) and included
angle from example 4.1, find the whole circle bearing
of the other lines.
2 Minutes analysis
 Bearing ± included angle = new bearing of other line
Solution:
Line Bearing
EA 224° 26’
AB 119° 49’
BC 68° 10’
CD 354° 1’
DE 284° 11’
Example 4.3
 The following data were obtained from a
traversing work done by using traversing
equipment. Find the final included angle
for every station, if the traversing work was
done based on Included Angle Method.

 # note that bearing of line is not mean

bearing of previous line
 # last bearing and first bearing
2 minutes analysis
 What type of data is given?
 Theodolite traversing data
 What method to be used?
 included angle method
 Procedure?
 1st Find included angle
 Make a correction
 Solution:
 From Stn 2 FL:
154°15’40” – 10°20’20”
= 143°55’20”

 Calculate both mean

= 143°55’10”

 Sum up all mean

= 532°38’20”
 Solution: Indicate angle from station
2 to station 3

 Checking
(n – 2) x 180
(5 ‐2) x 180 = 540°

 Error = 7° 21’ 40’’

 Correction =
error/no. of station

 Correction = 7° 21’
40’’/5 = 1° 28’ 20’’
Example 4.4
 Data beside was obtained by a group
of student during a closed traverse
surveying using theodolite.
 Find the corrected bearings if the
traverse work was done by Bearing
Method.
 Sketch the traverse ABCDE and find
the coordinates for the station if
given station A coordinates is
1000mE and 2000mN

# can you spot the difference between

included angle method?
2 minutes analysis
 What kind of data is given?
 Theodolite traversing data
 What method?
 Bearing method
 Procedure?
 Find corrected bearing
 Find coordinate
 Indicate bearing from

Solution
station A to station B

 From station A, find mean

bearing FL A-B.
173⁰ 12’ 00” + 180⁰00’00”
= 353⁰12’00”
 Mean bearing FR =
½ (353⁰12’00” + 353⁰11’00”)
= 353⁰11’30”
 Mean bearing FL =
353⁰11’30” - 180⁰00’00”
= 173⁰ 11’ 30”
 1st step:
Calculate mean bearing for face left
 2nd step:
Compare :
last mean bearing face left <with> bearing face right. i.e.
Solution
 Compare last bearing i.e.
(EA Face left)
 76°39’40”
with (AE Face right)
 76°45’20”
 FL – FR
 Error = - 5’40” 2’ 16”

 Correction+ 5’40”
 Correction for other stn:

 5’40”/5*1 = 0⁰ 1’ 8”
 5’40”/5*2= 0⁰ 2’ 16”
 5’40”/5*3= 0⁰ 3’ 24”
 5’40”/5*4= 0⁰ 4’ 32”
 Find the corrected bearing for each station.
 Remember that : corrected bearing is of face left
bearing.
 Find the coordinate of other stations if the coordinate
station A is 1000mE and 2000mN
mN

A (1000,2000)

mE
 Take two data:
 Corrected bearing
 Distance
 Then calculate latitude and departure – all three decimal places

Latitude Departure Correctio Correctio Corrected Corrected Coordinat Coordinat

Station Distance Bearing
(L) (D) n (L) n (D) (L) (D) e (N) e (E)

A 45 173’ 12’ 38” -44.684 5.319

B 39.6 -30.459 -25.306

Latitude = L cos θ
C 45 22.512 -38.964
Fill this
column
D 45 with 42.017 16.111
corrected Departure = L sin θ
bearing
E 45 10.309 43.803

TOTAL 219.6 -0.305 0.963

∑Error in latit and depart

 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
± ∗ 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
 Distribute error using formula ∑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

 If error is +ve then correction is –ve

 Sum all correction so total error = total correction
Latitude Departure Correction Correction Corrected Corrected Coordinate Coordinate
Station Distance
(L) (D) (L) (D) (L) (D) (N) (E)

A 45 -44.684 5.319 0.062 -0.197

B 39.6 -30.459 -25.306 0.055 -0.174

C 45 22.512 -38.964 0.062 -0.197

D 45 42.017 16.111 0.062 -0.197

E 45 10.309 43.803 0.062 -0.197

TOTAL 219.6 -0.305 0.963 0.305 -0.963

 Corrected Latitude = Latitude + correction Latitude

 Corrected Departure = Departure + correction Departure

 Sum of all corrected must be zero
Latitude Departure Correction Correction Corrected Corrected Coordinate Coordinate
Station Distance
(L) (D) (L) (D) (L) (D) (N) (E)

A 45 -44.684 5.319 0.062 -0.197 -44.622 5.122

B 39.6 -30.459 -25.306 0.055 -0.174 -30.404 -25.480

C 45 22.512 -38.964 0.062 -0.197 22.575 -39.161

D 45 42.017 16.111 0.062 -0.197 42.080 15.914

E 45 10.309 43.803 0.062 -0.197 10.372 43.606

TOTAL 219.6 -0.305 0.963 0.305 -0.963 0.000 0.000

 Finally find coordinate of the point
 First and last coordinate must be same

Latitude Departure Correction Correction Corrected Corrected Coordinate Coordinate

Station Distance
(L) (D) (L) (D) (L) (D) (N) (E)

A 45 -44.684 5.319 0.062 -0.197 -44.622 5.122 1000.000 2000.000

B 39.6 -30.459 -25.306 0.055 -0.174 -30.404 -25.480 955.379 2005.122

The coordinate A is given (1000 mN,2000 mE)

C 45 22.512 -38.964 0.062 -0.197 22.575 -39.161 924.975 1979.642
1000 + (-44.622) = 955.379 mN
D 45
2000 + (+5.122) = 2005.122 E
42.017 16.111 0.062 -0.197 42.080 15.914 947.549 1940.481

E 45 So on…43.803
10.309 0.062 -0.197 10.372 43.606 989.629 1956.394

TOTAL 219.6 -0.305 0.963 0.305 -0.963 0.000 0.000 1000.000 2000.000
Misclosure
As you can check in table
 Closing error or linear misclosure :
½
 (-0.3052 + 0.9632) = 1.010m
 Relative closing error :
 Closing error / perimeter
 1.010/219.600 = 0.005m
 Plot traverse in graph paper
2010

2000 955, 2005

1000, 2000

1990

1980
925, 1980
1970

1960

990, 1956
1950

1940
948, 1940

1930
920 930 940 950 960 970 980 990 1000 1010
Using Quadrant bearing
Latitude is distance along y-axis (N-S)
+ value on N and – value on S
Depart is distance along y-axis (E-W)
+ value on N and – value on S

LINE BEARING LENGTH LATIT DEPAT

A–B N 26° 10’ 00”E 28.510 + +
B-C S 75° 25’ 00”E 61.045 - +
C-D S 15° 30’ 00”W 72.048 - -
D-E N 01° 42’ 00”W 20.300 + -
E-A N 53° 06’ 00”W 64.702 + -
Application of theodolite – Setting of Curves
Introduction
 The design stage and setting out of curves is very important aspect of

an engineer’s work:

 Example: In geometric design of roadways, railways, pipelines etc. all

these required introduction of curve in design.

 Initially all route design is usually based on a series of straight sections.

 In fact it is imposible to accomodote this in design where positions and

locations are affected based on the topography condition of the area.

Introduction
 In reality every straight intersection must be connected by a lot of

curves.

 A curve that intersect on horizontal plane is called horizontal curve.

 Eg. A turning curve to the left or the right of a road section.

 And a curve that intersect on vertical plane is called as vertical curve.

 Eg. A road on a rising gradient or falling gradient as in hilly area.

Classification
 Curves are basically classified as

horizontal or vertical curves

 Horizontal curve in the horizontal

plane &

 Vertical curve in the vertical plane.

Horizontal Curves
1. Simple circular curve
2. Compound curve (Combined)
3. Reverse curve
4. Transition curve
5. Broken-back curves.
Vertical curves
1. Summit vertical curve
2. Sag vertical curve
Simple Curve
 Is a curve connecting two (2) intersecting

straight (T1 I & T2 I) having constant radius all

through curve length.

 It is tangential to the straights at the joining

end.

 In figure beside, T1 T T2 is a simple circular

curve of radius R, joining the two straight T1 I

and T2 I intersecting at a point I.

Compound Curve
 Two or more simple curves that is joint together.

 A curve that has different radii,

 Alignment of curve that is turning in the same direction

 It is joint with two intersecting straight T1I and T2I.

 In figure beside, T1TT2 is a compound curve with two simple

circular curves T1T and TT2 of radii R1 and R2 respectively.

 Line ATB is common tangent and T is the common point. (share

same point)
Reverse Curve
 Similar with a combined curve.

 But the direction of curve are opposite to each other

 In figure beside, T1T T2 is a reverse curve, formed from

the curves T1TV and T2TU of radii R1 and R2

respectively, joining the two straight T1U and T2V.

 It is suitable to use in common in railway system.

 Unsuitable for modern highspeed highways.

 These are also known as serpentine curve or S- curve

because of the “S” shape.

Transition Curve
 It is a curve usually introduced between a simple circular

curve and a straight or between two simple circular curves.

 It is also known as an easement curve.

 A transition curve has a radius, gradually changing from

finite to infinite value or vice versa.

 It is widely used on highway and railways, since its radius

increases or decreases in a very gradual manner.

 In figure beside, T1TD is the transition curve introduced

between the simple circular curve T4DD’T5 and the

straightT1I and T2I

Broken-Back Curve
 In the past, sometime two circular

curves having their centers on the

same side and connected with short

tangent length were used for railroad

traffic.

 Since these are not suitable for high

speeds, they are not in use nowadays.

Vertical Curve
 These are curves in a vertical plane used to join

two intersecting grade lines.

 The reduced level of these curves change from

point to point in a gradual and systematic

manner.

 A vertical summit (a) curve is provided when a

rising grade (T1I) joins a falling grade (T2I).

 A vertical sag (b) curve is provided when falling

grade (T3I) joins a rising grade (T4I).

 Gradient of vertical curve is an imaginary line
obtained from a leveling survey.
 Rising grade is indicated by positive value and vice
versa.
 If the vertical curve has equall value of rising and
falling gradient, the curve is design as symmetrically
Elements of Simple Circular Curve
 Point I is called point of intersection (P.I.)

 Δ is called deflection angle i.e. external angle between

two (2) intersecting straights

 Angle AIB (θ) is called the angle of intersection.

 The sum of Δ + θ = 180°

 Point T1 is beginning point of curve and known as

point of curve (P.C.)

 Point T2 is last point of curve and known as point of

tangency (P.T.)
Elements of Simple Circular Curve
 IT1 and IT2 are known as tangent length and always equal in

length.

 LengthT1 C T2 is called as total length of curve.

 Point C is in the middle of the curve and can be called as

summit or apex.

 The chord joining the point of curve and the point of

tangency is known as long chord.

 Distance between points I and apex point (C) is called apex

distance.

 Angle T1OT2 subtended at the centre of the curve (O) is

known as central angle. The central angle is equal to the

deflection angle.
Designation

 A simple circular curve can be designated by radius method or by degree of the curve method.

 The degree of a curve (D) can be formed by referring to an arc of curve or a chord of curve.

 According to arc definition the degree of a curve is defined according to:

 the central angle form by an arc length.

 According to the chord definition, the degree of a curve is defined according to:

 the central angle subtended by a chord length.

 In highways, it is customary to use the arc definition, whereas the chord definition is utilized in

railways.
Relation between Degree and Radius of Curve

θ is deflection angle, I is intersection angle

D = Degree of the curve

Example : Circular Curve
CH 1250
 Two tangents intersect at CH 1250 m. θ

 Angle of intersection is 150⁰ 150°

 Radius of curve is 250m

 Calculate all data necessary for setting out curve.

 Peg interval is 20m

Solution
 Deflection angle = Δ = 180⁰ – 150⁰ = 30⁰

 4 mandatory items to calculate:

1. Tangent Length (TL) = R tan θ/2 = 250 x (tan 30/2) = 67 m

2. Curve Length (CL) = (πRθ/180⁰) = πx 250 x 30⁰ / 180⁰ = 130.89 m

3. Chainage first point = 1250 – TL = 1250 – 67 = 1183 m

4. Chainage last point = 1183 + CL = 1183 + 130.89 = 1313.89 m

. At I, Ch = 1250

Tangent Length

Ch = 1183 Ch = 1313.89
PoC PoT
Solution Ch1190 is
chosen as 1st
point to peg
out
 Calculate initial chord and final chord length

 Length of initial chord, i.e. first point to mark on curve

= 1190 – CH Tangent point

= 1190 – 1183 = 7m Full chord

Final chord
Initial chord
How to chose initial/last chord?
 A curve line of 130.89 m is to be divided at 20m interval.

7m 6 x 20m = 120m 3.89m

 Total of chord at every 20m interval = CL / peg interval = 130.89 / 20 = 6.5 chord

 So take 6 chords.

 Ch covered until = 1190 + 6(20) = 1310m

 Length of final chord = 1313.89 – 1310 = 3.89 m

 The unit is

Solution “minute”

 Deflection angle for initial chord δ1 = 1718.9 x l / R = 1718.9 x 7 / 250 = 0⁰ 48’ 8”

 Deflection angle for full chord δ = 1718.9 x l / R = 1718.9 x 20 / 250 = 2⁰ 17’ 31”

 Deflection angle for final chord δF = 1718.9 x l / R = 1718.9 x 3.89 / 250 = 0⁰ 26’ 45”

 Explanation

 Deflection angle for 1st chord = 0⁰ 48’ 8”

 Total deflection angle for 2nd chord = 0⁰ 48’ 8” + 2⁰ 17’ 31” = 3⁰ 5’ 39”
δ
 Total deflection angle for 3rd chord = 3⁰ 5’ 39” + 2⁰ 17’ 31” = 5⁰ 23’ 10”

 And so on...
Solution
 Checking = δ1 + (6 x δ) + δF = θ/2 = 30⁰/2 = 15⁰ (central angle = 30⁰ /2)
 To nearest
Setting out table 0” , 20” or 40”

Point CH Chord δ Total δ Angel to be set

length (20”)
T1 (p.o.c) 1183 0 0 0 0
Peg 1 1190 7 0 ⁰48’ 8” 0⁰48’8” 0⁰48’ 0”
Peg 2 1210 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 3⁰ 5’ 39” 3⁰ 5’ 40”
Peg 3 1230 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 5⁰ 23’ 10” 5⁰ 23’ 20”
Peg 4 1250 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 7⁰ 40’ 41” 7⁰ 40’ 40”
Peg 5 1270 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 9⁰ 58’ 12” 9⁰ 58’ 20”
Peg 6 1290 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 12⁰ 15’ 43” 12⁰ 15’ 40”
Peg 7 1310 20 2⁰ 17’ 31” 14⁰ 33’ 14” 14⁰ 33’ 20”
T2 (p.o.t) 1313.89 3.89 0⁰ 26’ 45” 14⁰ 59’ 59” 15⁰ 00’ 00”
Sum 130.89 m = 15⁰
Vertical Curve
 Sagging curve – upward or rising curve
 Hogging curve – downward or falling curve

 Always found in hilly and mountanious area

Elements of Vertical Curve
Grade line
l l

curve line

Where K is coefficient of K-Values

K-value
 If distance is equal.
 Small K-value = steep slope (Large gradients)
 Large K-value = flat (Small gradients)

Small K-value Large K-value

Elements of Vertical Curve
l l

iv. Chainage of T1 = Chainage of B – l

v. Chainage of T2 = Chainage of B + l
vi. Reduce level of T1 = RL of B – gl
vii. Reduce level of T2 = RL of B – gl
viii. Reduce level of B2 = ½ (Reduce level of T1 + Reduce level of T2)
ix. Reduce level of B1 = ½ (Reduce level of B + Reduce level of B2)
(𝑔𝑔−𝑔𝑔) 2
x. Tangent correction at distance x : 𝑦𝑥 = 𝑥
400𝑙
Tangent Correction
 Is vertical distance between “grade line” and “curve line”

Grade line B
Tangent corrections

B2
x

Curve line Note:

Tangent correction at center =
RL B –RL B2
Example: vertical curve

0.1% per 30m = increment 0.1% for every 30m

Solution
Solution
Tangent correction
 Tangent correction at x = 30m interval:

point Tangent correction

0.015 m
1
0.060 m
2
0.135 m
3
0.240 m
4
0.375 m
5
0.540 m
6
Reduce level on grade
 Rise for every 30m = 0.6/100(30m) = 0.18 m

point Reduce level on grade

1 324.42 + 0.18 324.60 m

2 324.60 + 0.18 324.78 m

3 324.78 + 0.18 324.96 m

4 324.96 + 0.18 325.14 m

5 325.14 + 0.18 325.32 m

325.50 m
6 325.32 + 0.18
(checked =RL B)
Reduce level on curve
 Reduce level on curve = RL on grade ± tangent correction
 If curve line below than grade line use ‘-’, else ‘+’

point Reduce level on curve

1 324.60 – 0.015 324.585 m

2 324.78 – 0.060 324.720 m

3 324.96 – 0.135 324.825 m

4 325.14 – 0.240 324.900 m

5 325.32 – 0.375 324.945 m

6 325.50 – 0.540 324.960 m

Final setting out table
Tangent corr.
Point Chainage Grade RL Curve RL Remark
(-ve)

T1 370 324.42 0 324.42 Starting curve

1 400 324.60 0.015 324.585
2 430 324.78 0.060 324.720
3 460 324.96 0.135 324.825
4 490 325.14 0.240 324.900
5 520 325.32 0.375 324.945
6 550 325.50 0.540 324.960 Vertex of curve
5’ 580 325.32 0.375 324.945
4’ 610 325.14 0.240 324.900
3’ 640 324.96 0.135 324.825
2’ 670 324.78 0.060 324.720
1’ 700 324.60 0.015 324.585
T2 730 324.42 0 324.42 Finishing curve
 Actual soil
condition on site

325.5

325

324.5 Curve to be set on site

324

323.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Say at point 1, designed curve RL is 324.585
Then use auto level, observe the ground RL
The different between these RL is : soil to be cut or to be fill
 END OF PART 4

DON’T FORGET YOUR LECTURE NOTE

THANK YOU