MAPÚA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila

School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

FIELDWORK NO. 1
LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE BY TRANSIT AND
TAPE

COURSE AND SECTION:CE121F/B7

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME: D.C. STUDENT NUMBER: 2014

GROUP NO:1 CHIEF OF PARTY:

DATE OF FIELDWORK: October 13, 2016

DATE OF SUBMISSION: October19, 2016

SUBMITTED TO:
GRADE
PROFESSOR: ENGR. IRA BALMORIS
 Final Data Sheet
Fieldwork 1: Laying of a Simple Curve by Transit and Tape
(The Incremental chord and deflection angle method)

Data Supplied:

R= 20m
Backward Tangent direction:
Forward Tangent direction:
Station of Vertex:
Adopt Full Chord length of 3m

STATION INCREMENTAL CENTRAL DEFLECTION

OCCUPIED OBSERVED CHORD INCREMENTAL ANGLE FROM
ANGLE BACK TANGENT
30 + 004.59 A 30 + 006 1.41 4.04 2.02, 2°1’12”
B 30 + 009 3 8.6 6.32, 6°19’12”
C 30 +012 3 8.6 10.62, 10°37’12”
D 30 + 015 3 8.6 14.92, 14°55’12”
E 30 + 018 3 8.6 19.22, 19°13’12”
F 30 + 021 3 8.6 23.52, 23°31’12”
30 + 023.79 2.79 8 27.52, 27°30’12”

COMPUTED LENGTH OF CHORD: 18.46

ACTUAL LENGTH OF CHOTD: 18.5

A. COMPUTATIONS

I= forward tangent – backward tangent T=R*tan(I/2)

= 280° - 225° = 20tan(55/2)
=55° = 10.41
π
Lc= 55 (180)(20)
= 19.2

Sta. PC= sta. PI – T = 30 + 015 – 10.41 = 30 + 004.59

Sta. PT= sta. PC + Lc = 30 + 004.59 + 19.2 = 30023.79
= 30 + 023.79
C1= A – sta. PC C2= Sta. PT - F
= 30 + 006 – 30 + 004.59 = 30 + 023.79 – 30 + 021
= 1.41 = 2.79

d1= 2arcsin(C1/2R) = 4.04 d2= 2arcsin(C2/2R)= 8

d1/2 = 2.02 (d1 + 3D)/2 = 14.92 I/2 = 55/2 = 27.5

(d1 + D) = 6.32 (d1 + 4D)/2= 19.22
(d1 + 2D)/2= 10.62 (d1 + 5D)/2= 23.52
Research & Discussion:

During our performance of the fieldwork, we used the given

formulas listed in the manual. The arc of a circle is considered as a
simple curve which has a sharpness or flatness which is the radius of the
circle. We first solved the missing values on the table in the pds. So we
have a reference for station PC, station PT, vertex , intersection angle,
radius of circle and the other points. . By using the theodolite and tape,
we located the points of a simple curve based on the data given and the
data we’ve solved. A theoretical length of a chord was computed to
compare it to the actual length of the chord to know if we are doing it
right. When we have already located station PC, we used that to locate
the other points by using the deflection angle.

Horizontal Curves are one of the two important transition elements

in geometric design for highways (along with Vertical Curves). A
horizontal curve provides a transition between two tangent strips of
roadway, allowing a vehicle to negotiate a turn at a gradual rate rather
than a sharp cut. The design of the curve is dependent on the intended
design speed for the roadway, as well as other factors including drainage
and friction. These curves are semicircles as to provide the driver with a
constant turning rate with radii determined by the laws of physics
surrounding centripetal force.
Stationing
On route surveys, the surveyor numbers the stations forward
from the beginning of the project. For example, 0+00 indicates the
beginning of the project. The 15+52.96 would indicate a point
1,552,96 feet from the beginning. A full station is 100 feet or 30
meters, making 15+00 and 16+00 full stations. A plus station
indicates a point between full stations. (15+52.96 is a plus station.)
When using the metric system, the surveyor does not use the plus
system of numbering stations. The station number simply becomes
the distance from the beginning of the project.
Deflection angles
The deflection angles are the angles between a tangent and
the ends of the chords from the PC. The surveyor uses them to
locate the direction in which the chords are to be laid out The total
of the deflection angles is always equal to ½ of the I angle. This
total serves for checking of the computed deflection angles.
To solve a simple curve, the surveyor must know three
elements. The first two are the PI station value and the I angle. The
third is the degree of curve, which is given in the project
specifications or computed using one of the elements limited by
the terrain (see section II). The surveyor normally determines the
PI and I angle on the preliminary traverse for the road. This may
also be done by triangulation when the PI is inaccessible.
Conclusion:
Based on the results of our fieldwork which is laying of a simple
curve by transit and tape, I learned that by a deflection angle, we can
make a simple curve using a theodolite and reading the deflection angle
starting through the first point. The use of the tape is also important
because if not for it we wouldn’t have been able to locate the points
through the distance and it serves also as a reference for the line of sight
from the theodolite to the range pole.
Our group encountered errors mostly human errors, like wrong
solving for a data, inaccurate measurements using the tape, wrong
reading of the deflection angle in the theodolite, and lastly the mistake of
removing the marking pin from the vertex so we had to guess on where
is its original point and it turned out to be wrong and we repeat it again
from the start.
I recommend that we solved a day before the data needed and
check it if it is correct already. And when reading something from the
theodolite always ask somebody else to do the reading for the group to
know if something is wrong right away so you can correct it and never
repeat all of it from the start. I also recommend to check the instruments
if it is in good condition so that your group will not be responsible if it is
already broken. Borrow equipments early to prevent running out of stock
and start early so you have plenty of time in case you need to repeat the
fieldwork.
One application of it is the road at the mountains, for example the
Kennon Road which is one road to reach Baguio. Civil engineers design
that road for travelers’ safety. They study the sharpness of the curve so it
is safe for the vehicle to pass there.