ESTORPE, JOSHIMAR A.

2 – BSCE – A

VERTICAL CURVES
Vertical Curve is a curve in a vertical alignment which is produced when two
different gradients meets. It is provided to change the slope in the road and may or may
not be symmetrical. The design of the curve is dependent on the intended design speed
for the roadway, as well as other factors including drainage, slope, acceptable rate of
change, and friction. Identifying the proper grade and the safe passing sight distance is
the main design criterion of the vertical curve. They are parabolic and not circular like
horizontal curves.
There are two type of Vertical Curve: Sag Curve and Crest Curve
Example of Sag Curve: Example of Crest Curve:

When two grades meets at the valley When two grades meet at the summit and
and the curve will have convexity the curve will have convexity upwards, it is
downwards, it is called Sag Curve. called Crest Curve.

ELEMENTS OF CURVES VERTICAL CURVE FORMULAS

x m = Horizontal Distance to Min/Max Elevation
PVC = Point of Vertical Curvature
PVI = Point of Vertical Intersection −g1 g1
on Curve = = g 1−g2
PVT = Point of Vertical Tangency 2a
L = Length of Curve (horizontal) Tangent Elevation = Y PVC + g1 x and
g1 = Grade of Back Tangent = Y PVI + g 2( x −L/2)
g2 = Grade of Forward Tangent Curve Elevation = Y PVC + g1 x+ ax 2
E = Tangent Offset at PVI
¿ Y PVC + g1 x+ ( ( g2 −g 1 ) ) / ( 2 L ) x 2
[ ]
r = Rate of Change of Grade
x = Horizontal Distance from PVC to Point on Curve
y = Tangent Offset
a = Parabola Constant

Example of Vertical Curve with label: