VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

Given the bridge crossing above, what is the elevation of the upper roadway at the intersection of the
two baselines (Station 123+22.14)? Assume a design speed of 70-mph for the upper roadway, and use
the shortest vertical curves (rounded up to the nearest 10’) that meets the design speed. Tables 3-34
will assist you.

Use the typical section above for the upper roadway. If the lower roadway’s crown line is at elevation
888.71’, and assuming the structure depth is 8.0’, does this situation provide the required 16.5’ vertical
clearance?

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 VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

Solution:

Step 1 – Determine elevation at P.V.I.

= 884.68 + [+0.0370 x 1000’]

= 921.68’

Step 2 – Determine length of vertical curve

A = |+3.7% - (-1.84%)|

A = 5.54%

Using Table 3-35, K = 247 for 70-mph design speed

௅
K = ஺ /or/ L = K x A = 247 x 5.54

L = 1,368.4’ or L = 1,370’ (rounded up to nearest 10’)

Step 3 – Determine P.V.C. and P.V.T. station and elevation of the crest curve
௅
P.V.C.station = P.V.I.station – (ଶ)
ଵ,ଷ଻଴
P.V.C.station = 120+00 - ( ଶ
)

P.V.C.station = 113+15.00
௅
P.V.C.elevation = P.V.I.elevation - (0.0370 x ଶ)

P.V.C.elevation = 921.68’ - (25.35)

P.V.C.elevation = 896.33’
௅
P.V.T.station = P.V.I.station + (ଶ)
ଵ,ଷ଻଴
P.V.T.station = 120+00 + ( )
ଶ

P.V.T.station = 126+85.00
௅
P.V.T.elevation = P.V.I.elevation - (0.0184 x ଶ)

P.V.T.elevation = 921.68’ - (12.60)

P.V.T.elevation = 909.08’

Step 4 – Solve for p

YPVT tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x (126+85 – 113+15)]

YPVT tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x 1,370]

YPVT tan = 947.02’

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 VERTICAL CURVE – PROBLEM #2

ΔYPVT = 947.02’ – P.V.T.elevation

ΔYPVT = 947.02’ – 909.08’

ΔYPVT = 37.94’
௒
Y = px2 /or/ p = ௫ మ
ଷ଻.ଽସ
p = ଵ,ଷ଻଴మ

p = 0.00002

Step 5 – Determine elevation along curve at Station 123+22.14

Y = px2 ; x = (123+22.14 – 113+15.00) = 1007.14’

Y = (0.00002) x (1007.14’)2

Y = 20.29’

Y123+22.14 tan = 896.33’ + [0.037 x 1007.14’]

Y123+22.14 tan = 933.59’

Y123+22.14 cur = 933.59’ – 20.29’

Y123+22.14 cur = 913.30’ (at crown line)

Step 6 – Determine critical points on lower and upper roadway

Critical point on lower roadway is at crown line

Critical point on upper roadway (refer to typical section) is right edge of typical section

Step 7 – Calculate elevation at upper roadway critical point

= Y123+22.14 cur + [(12 x -0.02) + (12 x -0.02) + (4 x -0.04)]

= 913.30’ + [(-0.24) + (-0.24) + (-0.16)]

= 912.66’

Step 8 – Calculate vertical clearance (VC)

VC = upper critical point elevation – structure depth – lower critical point elevation

VC = (912.66’) – (8.0’) – (888.71’)

VC = 15.95’ < 16.50’; NO

What can be done to get the required vertical clearance???

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