Horizontal Alignment

CE 453 Lecture 16

Horizontal
Winter 2006

Alignment
CEE 320

1
 Horizontal Alignment
1. Tangents
2. Curves
3. Transitions
Curves require superelevation (next lecture)
Reason for super: banking of curve, retard
sliding, allow more uniform speed, also
allow use of smaller radius curves (less
land)

2
Curve Types
1. Simple curves with spirals (why spirals)
2. Broken Back – two curves same direction
(avoid)
3. Compound curves: multiple curves connected
directly together (use with caution) go from
large radii to smaller radii and have R(large) <
1.5 R(small)
4. Reverse curves – two curves, opposite direction
(require separation typically for superelevation
attainment)

3
Highway plan and profile

4
Important Components of Simple
Circular Curve
 ∆ = deflection angle ( °),
 PC = point of curve
 D = curve degree (100 m/° or 100 ft /°),
 PT = point of tangent, L = curve length (m),
 PI = point of intersection
 R = radius of circular curve (m, ft),
 T = tangent length (m, ft),
 E = external distance (m, ft).
5
Important Components of Simple
Circular Curve
See: ftp://165.206.254.150/dotmain/design/dmanual/English/e02a-01.pdf

1. PC, PI, PT, E, M, and ∆

2. L = 2(π)R(∆)/360
3 T = R tan (∆/2)

i n g
io n
ta t
f s
n o
i o
re ct
Di
Source: Iowa DOT
Design Manual
6
Horizontal Curve Calculations
PI
∆
E
T T

PC PT 5729.6
D=
R
R∆
R R L=
57.3
∆/2 ∆/2
∆
T = R tan
2
 
 1 
∆ = deflection angle ( °), PC = point of curve E = R − 1
D = curve degree (100 m/° or 100 ft /°), PT = point  cos ∆ 
 
of tangent, L = curve length (m), PI = point of  2 
intersection
R = radius of circular curve (m, ft),
T = tangent length (m, ft),
E = external distance (m, ft). 7
 Horizontal Curve Fundamentals
PI
T Δ
E
∆
T =R tan L
M
2 PC Δ/2 PT

π 100∆
L= R∆=
180 D R R

180  Δ/2 Δ/2

100 
 π  18,000
D= =
Winter 2006

πR
CEE 320

R 8
 Horizontal Curve Fundamentals
PI
T Δ
E
M
L
PC Δ/2 PT

 1 
E=R
 1
−
cos ∆2  R R

Δ/2 Δ/2
 ∆
M = 1−
R cos 
Winter 2006

 2
CEE 320

9
 Horizontal Curve Example
 Deflection angle of a 4º curve is 55º25’, PI at
station 245+97.04. Find length of curve,T, and
station of PT.
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55º25’ = 55.417º
 D = _5729.58_ R = _5729.58_ = 1,432.4 ft
R 4

10
 Horizontal Curve Example
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55.417º
 R = 1,432.4 ft
 L = 2πR∆ = 2π(1,432.4 ft)(55.417º) =
1385.42ft
360 360

11
 Horizontal Curve Example
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55.417º
 R = 1,432.4 ft
 L = 1385.42 ft
 T = R tan ∆ = 1,432.4 ft tan (55.417) = 752.29 ft
2 2

12
Stationing Example
Stationing goes around horizontal curve.
For previous example, what is station of PT?
First calculate the station of the PC:
PI = 245+97.04
PC = PI – T
PC = 245+97.04 – 752.29 = 238+44.75

13
Stationing Example (cont)
PC = 238+44.75
L = 1385.42 ft
Station at PT = PC + L
PT = 238+44.75 + 1385.42 = 252+30.17

14
 Example 4
A horizontal curve is designed with a 1500 ft. radius. The tangent
length is 400 ft. and the PT station is 20+00. What are the PI and PC
stations?
Winter 2006
CEE 320

15
 Solution

• Since we know R and T we can use

• T = R tan(delta/2) to get delta = 29.86 degrees
• D = 5729.6/R. Therefore D = 3.82
• L = 100(delta)/D = 100(29.86)/3.82 = 781 ft.
• PC = PT – L = 2000 – 781 = 12+18.2
• PI = PC +T = 12+18.2 + 400 = 16+18.2.

• Note: cannot find PI by subtracting T from PT!

Winter 2006
CEE 320

16
Design of Horizontal Alignment
Determination of
 Minimum Radius
 Length of curve
 Computation of offsets from the tangents to
the curve to facilitate the setting out of
t6hye curve

17
Horizontal Curve design
 Design based on appropriate relationship
between design speed and curvature and
their relationship with side friction and
superelevation
 Turning the front wheels, side friction and
superelevation generate an acceleration
toward center of curvature (centripetal
acceleration)
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 Motion on Circular Curves
dv
at =
dt

2
v
an =
R
19
Motion on
Circular
Curves

W sin β + f s W cos β = m an cos β

W v2
W sin β + f s W cos β = ( ) cos β
g R W cos β

sin β
= tan β = e v2
cos β e + fs =
gR
20
Vehicle Stability on Curves
Design Maximum
2
v speed design
e + fs = (mph)
gR fs max
emax = 0.06 - 0.10 (0.12) 20 0.17
ewhere:
= superelevation (-), 70 0.10
f s = side friction coefficient (-),
v = design speed (ft/s), Assumed
R = radius (ft), Must not be too short
g = gravity acceleration (32 ft/s ).
2

21
Radius Calculation
Rmin = ___V2______
15(e + f)
Where:
Rmin is the minimum radius in feet
V = velocity (mph)
e = superelevation
f = friction (15 = gravity and unit conversion)

22
Radius Calculation
• Rmin uses max e and max f (defined by AASHTO, DOT,
and graphed in Green Book) and design speed
• f is a function of speed, roadway surface, weather
condition, tire condition, and based on comfort – drivers
brake, make sudden lane changes, and change position
within a lane when acceleration around a curve becomes
“uncomfortable”
• AASHTO: 0.5 @ 20 mph with new tires and wet
pavement to 0.35 @ 60 mph
• f decreases as speed increases (less tire/pavement
contact)

23
Max e
 Controlled by 4 factors:
 Climate conditions (amount of ice and snow)
 Terrain (flat, rolling, mountainous)
 Type of area (rural or urban)
 Frequency of slow moving vehicles who
might be influenced by high superelevation
rates

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Max e
 Highest in common use = 10%, 12% with no
ice and snow on low volume gravel-surfaced
roads
 8% is logical maximum to minimize slipping
by stopped vehicles, considering snow and
ice
 Iowa uses a maximum of 6% on new projects
 For consistency use a single rate within a
project or on a highway

25
Source: A
Policy on
Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The
Green Book).
Washington,
DC. American
Association of
State Highway
and
Transportation
Officials, 2001
4th Ed.
26
Radius Calculation (Example)
Design radius example: assume a maximum e
of 8% and design speed of 60 mph, what is
the minimum radius?
fmax = 0.12 (from Green Book)
Rmin = _____602________________
15(0.08 + 0.12)

Rmin = 1200 feet

27
Radius Calculation (Example)
For emax = 4%? (urban situation)

Rmin = _____602________________
15(0.04 + 0.12)
Rmin = 1,500 feet

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Radius Calculation (Example)
For emax = 2%? (rotated crown)

Rmin = _____602________________
15(0.02 + 0.12)
Rmin = 1,714 feet

29
Radius Calculation (Example)
For emax = -2%? (normal crown, adverse
direction)

Rmin = _____602________________
15(-0.02 + 0.12)
Rmin = 2,400 feet

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Sight Distance for Horizontal
Curves

31
Sight Distance for Horizontal Curves
 Location of object along chord length that blocks
line of sight around the curve
 m = R(1 – cos [28.65 S])

R
Where:
m = line of sight
S = stopping sight distance
R = radius

32
Sight Obstruction on Horizontal
Curves
 Assume S is the SSD equal to chord AT
 Angle subtended at centre of circle by arc AT
is 2θ in degree then
 Total circumference perimeter (πR) M
A T
B
 S / πR = 2θ / 180
R θ
 S = 2R θπ / 180 O

 θ = S 180/ 2R π = 28.65 (S) / R

 R-M/R = cos θ B T
θ
 M = R [1 – cos 28.65 (S) / R ]
O
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Line of sight is the chord
AT S
M
A R
T
Horizontal distance
traveled is arc AT, which
is SD.

SD is measured along O
the centre line of inside
lane around the curve.

See the relationship

between radius of curve,
the degree of curve, SSD

and the middle ordinate

34
Sight Distance Example
A horizontal curve with R = 800 ft is part of a 2-lane
highway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph.
What is the minimum distance that a large
billboard can be placed from the centerline of the
inside lane of the curve without reducing required
SSD? Assume p/r =2.5 and a = 11.2 ft/sec2
SSD = 1.47vt + _________v2____
30(__a___ ± G)
32.2

35
Sight Distance Example
SSD = 1.47(35 mph)(2.5 sec) +
_____(35 mph)2____ = 246 feet
30(__11.2___ ± 0)
32.2

36
Sight Distance Example
m = R(1 – cos [28.65 S])
R
m = 800 (1 – cos [28.65 {246}]) = 9.43 feet
800

(in radians not degrees)

37
 Horizontal Curve Example
 Deflection angle of a 4º curve is 55º25’, PI at
station 245+97.04. Find length of curve,T, and
station of PT.
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55º25’ = 55.417º
 D = _5729.58_ R = _5729.58_ = 1,432.4 ft
R 4

38
 Horizontal Curve Example
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55.417º
 R = 1,432.4 ft
 L = 2πR∆ = 2π(1,432.4 ft)(55.417º) =
1385.42ft
360 360

39
 Horizontal Curve Example
 D = 4º
 ∆ = 55.417º
 R = 1,432.4 ft
 L = 1385.42 ft
 T = R tan ∆ = 1,432.4 ft tan (55.417) = 752.29 ft
2 2

40
Stationing Example
Stationing goes around horizontal curve.
For previous example, what is station of PT?
First calculate the station of the PC:
PI = 245+97.04
PC = PI – T
PC = 245+97.04 – 752.29 = 238+44.75

41
Stationing Example (cont)
PC = 238+44.75
L = 1385.42 ft
Station at PT = PC + L
PT = 238+44.75 + 1385.42 = 252+30.17

42
Suggested Steps in Horizontal
Design
1. Select tangents, PIs, and general curves making
sure you meet minimum radius criteria
2. Select specific curve radii/spiral and calculate
important points (see lab) using formula or table
(those needed for design, plans, and lab
requirements)
3. Station alignment (as curves are encountered)
4. Determine super and runoff for curves and put in
table (see next lecture for def.)
5. Add information to plans

43
HOMEWORK
 Your team is responsible for the design of
a small roadway project in Iowa. Your
individual task is to design a horizontal
curve to the right using an even value
radius slightly larger than the minimum
radius curve. Use a design speed of 55
mph and a superelevation rate of 4%.
Assume the PI has a station of 352+44.97;
the Δ (delta) of the curve is 35° 24’ 55”.

44
HOMEWORK
 Referring to the Iowa DOT Design
Manual you find guidance at
ftp://165.206.203.34/design/dmanual/02a-01.pd
on the design of horizontal curves.

45
HOMEWORK
Your assignment:
 Reading carefully the design guidance
with special attention to the items to be
included on the plans, calculate all of the
values to be shown on a plan set for this
curve. Be sure to calculate the stations of
the PC and PT in addition to the values
listed.

46
HOMEWORK
Your assignment:
 At this time do not concern yourself with
superelevation runoff; just use the design
speed and superelevation rate to determine
the minimum radius curve allowable. It
may help you to create a list of the items
to be included before doing your
calculations.

47
HOMEWORK
Your assignment:
 Now use a design speed of 60 mph and
the same 4% superelevation rate to
calculate the curve. Your PI station and Δ
will remain unchanged.

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