1.

INTRODUCTION

When a vehicle travels around a curve of constant radius at constant speed, it exerts radially an outward
force known as “Centrifugal force”. This Centrifugal force (P) can be represented by, P = Wv2/gR. It
acts horizontally at the centre of gravity of the vehicle and its load. The forces acting on the vehicle are,

a. the centrifugal force acting radially outwards,

b. the weight of the vehicle acting vertically downwards,

c. the upward reaction of the road on the vehicle.

For equilibrium the centrifugal force must be counteracted either by lateral friction developed between the
tyre and the road surface alone, by the inward tilt of the road surface known as “superelevation” alone or
partially by friction and partially by superelevation while the weight of the vehicle is balanced by the
reaction of the road on the vehicle. (IRC 38 – 1988)

Wv2 WV2

P = ------------ = -------------

gR 127R

P V2

Centrifugal Ratio, -------- = -------- = e + f

W 127R

Where, P = Centrifugal force

W = Weight of the vehicle

G = Acceleration due to gravity

v = Speed in m/sec

V = Speed in Kmph

e = Super elevation

f = friction

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 2. DEFINATION OF SUPER ELEVATION
2.1 Railway definition: - The raised elevation of outer rail above inner rail at horizontal curve
portion of a railway track is called cant or super elevation or banking.

2.1.1 Case -1

Figure 1 is a sketch of a train-car traveling along a curve of radius R on a track with gauge G. Four
forces are shown acting on the car. The support provided by the inside and outside rails are Fi and Fo
respectively. Weight W is shown acting vertically from the vehicle's center-of-mass, which is located
at height H above the track. Centrifugal force Fc acts on the train-car horizontally away from the
track's center of curvature.

2.1.2 Case-2

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Figure 2 shows how superelevation, symbolized by E, can be used much like a banked highway to
balance the rail forces (Fi = Fo ) thereby allowing trains to operate faster than might otherwise be
possible along curvatures in the track way. For given values of R and E, the two track forces can be
balanced at only one particular train train speed, VBALANCED...

Fc / W = E / G, and...
Fc = (W / g R) (VBALANCED)2, so that...
VBALANCED = [(E / G) (g R)]1/2

Where g = the acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/sec/sec).

2.1.3 Case-3

Figure 3 is included here to address another limit, this time on the values of superelevation E in
view of gravity's tendency to tip a stopped train toward the inside of the curve. The effect is
worsened by the draw-forces between vehicles as the train starts up.

Every segment of track way must be certified with what is called a 'civil limit', which specifies
the maximum speed that a train can operate on it.

In addition to the dimensions of curves as indicated here, civil limits must take into consideration
all track way conditions, including grades, switches, and station platforms.

Page | 3
2.1.4 Case-4

Superelevations are generally specified for an intentional 'unbalance' of forces as shown in

Figure 4. Thus, at speeds approaching civil limits, the train will tend to be tilted outward from
the center of curvature.

Of course, trackways are never designed to change abruptly from straight to curved and back
again. Instead, the rails are given a 'spiral
spiral'' shape, gradually changing radius of curvature,
between infinitely long, for straight
ght trackway, to a fixed radius R,, for a circular segment in the
'alignment'.

Along the spiral, superelevation changes linearly from zero to its value E as indicated in Figure 4.

θ = Angle of inclination

G = Gauge of railway track (m)

S = Length of inclined surface (m)

e = Super elevation (m)

W = Weight of train acting vertically downward

through C.G of train (Kg)

P = Centrifugal force acting horizontally downward

through C.G of the train

v = Speed of train (m/s)

g= Acceleration due to gravity (m/s)

R = radius of the curve (m)

Page | 4
2.2 Highway definition: - It is the inward transverse slope provided throughout the length of the
horizontal curves to counteract the centrifugal force and therefore to check the tendency of the
vehicle to overturn or skid. Outer edge of the pavement is raised with respect to the inner
inner edge of the
pavement, the ratio of the height raised to the width of the pavement is called super-elevation.
super elevation.

Page | 5
Let us say Design speed = V m/s

Radius = R m

Various forces acting on the vehicle:

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Where e = rate of super elevation in %

f = lateral friction factor = 0.15

V = velocity of vehicle in m/s

g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2

R = radius of circular curve in meters.

Limits for maximum super elevation:

According to IRC the Maximum Super elevation in Areas

Which Are Bound by Snow fall – 7%

Which are not bounded by Snow fall – 10%

Limits for minimum super elevation:

Minimum super elevation = camber or cross slope

Camber: Slope provide in the transverse direction to drain off rain water quickly is known as Camber or
Cross slope. This will also prevents slipping and skidding of vehicles.

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IRC Recommendations for Camber:

Light rainfall
Type of pavement Heavy rainfall intensity
intensity

C.C pavements & thick bituminous pavements 1 in 60 1 in 50

Thin Bituminous Pavements 1 in 50 1 in 40

W.B.M & Gravel Pavements 1 in 40 1 in 33

Earthen Pavements 1 in 33 1 in25

Design of super elevation:

There are four steps involved in the design of super elevation. And they are,

Step 1:

Calculate the super elevation necessary for 75% design speed and assume No lateral friction is developed

If e value is less than emax = 0.07, provide calculated e value. Otherwise proceed to next step

Step 2:

When ecal > emax

Provide e = emax = 0.07 in this step and go to next step.

Step 3:

From the above step we have the value of e. so, check for lateral friction factor is applied in this step for
the known value of e.

If fcal < fmax (0.15)

Page | 8
Then e = 0.07 is safe.

But if fcal > 0.15

Then restrict the values to f = 0.15, e = 0.07

And go to last step.

Step 4:

In this step we will find out the value of restricted speed.

Let V = Va

If Va > V, then e = 0.07, f= 0.15

If Va < V , then also e = 0.07, f = 0.15 but, speed restriction board is provided which consists the value of
Va As shown in figure below.

3 Object of providing super elevation:-

The main function of super elevation is the following
• Ensure the better distribution of load on both rails
• To reduce the wear and tear of the rails and rolling stock
• To neutralize the effect of lateral force
• To provide comfort of passenger

Page | 9
 DIAMOND HARBOUR GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC

GOVT. OF WEST BENGAL

DIAMOND HARBOUR, WEST BENGAL – 743331

A Seminar Report on
“SUPER ELEVATION”

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of

Degree of “DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING”

Submitted by:

NAME-MOLAY ADHIKARY

ROLL -D193051004 NO-04368

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

DIAMOND HARBOUR GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC
DIAMOND HARBOUR, WEST BENGAL – 743331
2016-2017
 DIAMOND HARBOUR GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC
GOVT. OF WEST BENGAL
DIAMOND HARBOUR, WEST BENGAL – 743331

Certificate
Certified that the seminar work entitled “SUPER
SUPER ELEVATION”
ELEVATION is
benefited work carried out by MOLAY ADHIKARY (04368), in partial
fulfillment of the requirements
requireme for the award of the degree of
Diploma In Civil Engineering of Diamond Harbour Government
Polytechnic,, Diamond Harbour,
Harbour during the year 2016-2017.
2017. It is
certified that all the corrections/suggestions indicated for internal
assessment have been incorporated
incorporated in the report. The Seminar
report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements
in respect of -seminar
seminar work prescribed for the Diploma of
Engineering degree.

Signature of the HOD

Mr. Chanchal Sengupta
Lecturer and HOD,
Dept. of CE, DHGP.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our proud privilege and duty to acknowledge the kind of help and guidance received
from several people in preparation of this report. It would not have been possible to
prepare this report in this form without their valuable help, cooperation and guidance.
First and foremost, we wish to record our sincere gratitude to Management of this
college and to our beloved Principal,Sukhendu Sekhar Bhunia, Principal, Diamond
Harbour Government Polytechnic, Diamond Harbour for his constant support and
Encouragement in preparation of this report and for making available library and
laboratory facilities needed to prepare this report. Our sincere thanks to senior lecturer
Chanchal Sengupta, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, ing, for his valuable
suggestions and guidance throughout the period of this report. We express our sincere
gratitude to our guide, junior lecturer Biswajit Giri., Department of Civil Engineering, for
guiding us in investigations for this seminar and in carrying out experimental work. Our
numerous discussions with his were extremely helpful. We hold his in esteem for
guidance, encouragement and inspiration received from his. The seminar on “super
elevation” was very helpful to us in giving the necessary background information and
inspiration in choosing this topic for the seminar. Our sincere thanks to lecturer
Madhushree Roy and Prof. Biswajit Sammader Project/Seminar Coordinator for having
supported the work related to this project. Their contributions and technical support in
preparing this report are greatly acknowledged. Last but not the least, we wish to thank
our parents for financing our studies in this college
college as well as for constantly encouraging
us to learn engineering. Their personal
perso sacrifice in providing this opportunity to learn
engineering is gratefully acknowledged.

Place: Diamond Harbour Molay Adhikary

Student Of C.E
Diamond Harbour Govt. Polytechnic
 INDEX
Topic page no.
• 1 Introduction [00-01]
• 2 Definition
2.1 Railway definition [02-04]
2.2 Highway definition [05-09]
• 3 Object of super elevation [09]
 REFERENCE
LIST OF WEBSITE
• http://niquette.com/puzzles/fasttrkp.htm
• http://www.niquette.com/books/images/superel
• http://transportationengineering2012onwards.blogspot.in/2013/08/highway-geometrics-
camber-land-width.html
• http://designarchitectureart.com/2016/12/tips-highway-superelevation-design/
• https://www.tes.com/lessons/Hka9cCwo0MZz2w/geometric-design-of-highway-march-
2017
• https://theconstructor.org/transportation/superelevation-design-highway-
engineering/10998/

BOOK

• Transportation Engineering by A.K.Upadhyay