AMBO UNIVERSITY

HACHALU HUNDESSA CAMPUS

DEPT. OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGR.
MSc IN HIGHWAY ENGINEERING STREAM
COURSE: - ADVANCED GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
INSTRUCTOR; EYOB M (Ass. Prof)

Worked Example On the Design of Interchange Ramp

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I. A new highway is to be constructed over an existing highway. The two highways will
intersect at right angles and are to be grade-separated. Both highways are level grade
(constant elevation). The new highway will run east-west and the existing highway runs
north-south at elevation of 565.5 ft. The proposed bridge structure for the new highway is
such that the bridge girder thickness is 6 ft (measured from the road surface to the bottom
of the girder). A single-lane ramp is to be constructed to allow eastbound traffic to go
southbound. A single horizontal curve, with a central angle of 90 degrees, is to be used.
With a design speed of 40 mi/h and a required super-elevation of 4%, determine the
following: the stationing of the PC, PI, and PT, assuming the curve begins at station 40 +
00; the stationing and elevation of all key points along the vertical alignment; the distance
that must be cleared from the inside of the horizontal curve so that the line of sight is
sufficient to provide sufficient stopping sight distance.

Plan View/Horizontal alignment/ Figure. Horizontal and Vertical alignment

Date February 7,2022 GC

 AMBO UNIVERSITY
HACHALU HUNDESSA CAMPUS
DEPT. OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGR.
MSc IN HIGHWAY ENGINEERING STREAM
COURSE: - ADVANCED GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
INSTRUCTOR; EYOB M (Ass. Prof)

Worked Example On the Design of Interchange Ramp

______________________________________________________________________________

SOLUTION

1. Horizontal Alignment Design

1.1. Determination of Station points on the Horizontal Curve

To begin, the required radius to the vehicle path (Rv) is determined to be 533 ft from
AASHTO Table, with a 40 mi/h design speed and 4% super elevation. Because the ramp
is a single lane, the horizontal curve radius will be equal to the radius to the vehicle path
(R = Rv). Applying Eq. 3.39 gives the length of the horizontal curve as (with R = 533 ft
and using deflection angle of ∆ = 900

𝜋 3.14 ∗ 533 ∗ 90
𝑹𝒂𝒎𝒑 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 (𝑳) = ∗ 𝑅∆= = 837.24 𝑓𝑡
180 180

Based on fig 3.16 the tangent length T = R = 533 ft. The stationing for the horizontal
curve is as follows.
a. Stat PT = Stat PC+ L = 40+00 +(837.24ft) =40+00+ (8+37.24) = 48 +37.24
b. Stat PI = Stat PC+T = 40+00+ (533 ft) =40+00 +(5+33) =45 +33

1.2. Design for Clearance Distance of Obstruction On the Horizontal Curve

The distance that must be cleared from the inside of the horizontal curve to provide sufficient
stopping sight distance is determined using the following formula; using Rv =R= 533ft. In
connection to this SSD can be obtained from AASHTO table based on the design speed.
Hence, SSD =305ft based on Vd =40mil/hr
90 ∗ 𝑆𝑆𝐷
𝑀𝑠 = 𝑅𝑣 ( 1 − cos ) = 21.67𝑓𝑡
𝜋 ∗ 𝑅𝑣

Date February 7,2022 GC

 AMBO UNIVERSITY
HACHALU HUNDESSA CAMPUS
DEPT. OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGR.
MSc IN HIGHWAY ENGINEERING STREAM
COURSE: - ADVANCED GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
INSTRUCTOR; EYOB M (Ass. Prof)

Worked Example On the Design of Interchange Ramp

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Vertical Alignment Design

2.1 Determination of all Vertical curve length, stations and elevations
From AASHTO tables, based on Design Speed, K (Crest) and K (Sag) can be obtained.
Kc = 44 and Ks = 64
The second consideration will be to provide adequate clearance as per the AASHTO
Manual. AASHTO [2011] specifies a desirable clearance height of 16.5 ft. The bridge
girder thickness is given as 6 ft so the total elevation difference between the two highways
is 22.5 ft (16.5 + 6).
As = Ac (Grade change of Crest and Sag will be equal)
Based on offset formula

𝑨𝒍𝒔 𝑨𝑳𝒄 (𝑳 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆−𝑳𝒔−𝑳𝒄)

 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎 + 𝑨 = 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑨𝒍𝒔 𝑨𝑳𝒄 (𝟖𝟑𝟕.𝟐𝟒−𝑳𝒔−𝑳𝒄)

 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎 + 𝑨 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟓
𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

 By Using L = KA, Ls = Ks *A, Lc= Kc * A

𝑨∗𝑲𝒔∗𝑨𝒔 𝑨∗𝑲𝒄∗𝑨𝒄 (𝟖𝟑𝟕.𝟐𝟒−𝑳𝒔−𝑳𝒄)

 + +𝑨 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟓 here As=A=Ac
𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑨𝟐∗𝑲𝒔 𝑨𝟐∗𝑲𝒄 (𝟖𝟑𝟕.𝟐𝟒−𝑲𝒔∗𝑨−𝑲𝒄∗𝑨)

 + +𝑨 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟓
𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

Using Ks =64 and Kc =44, −0.54 A2 + 8.374 − 22.5 = 0

A = 12.05% and 3.46%, A should be minimized and due to this case A value of 3.46%
will be taken for design.
Ls =Ks * A =64*3.46 = 221.44ft
Lc =Kc *A =44 *3.46 = 152.24 ft
L of Constant grade section is = 𝟖𝟑𝟕. 𝟐𝟒 − 𝑳𝒔 − 𝑳𝒄 = 𝟒𝟔𝟑. 𝟓𝟔 𝒇𝒕

Date February 7,2022 GC

 AMBO UNIVERSITY
HACHALU HUNDESSA CAMPUS
DEPT. OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGR.
MSc IN HIGHWAY ENGINEERING STREAM
COURSE: - ADVANCED GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
INSTRUCTOR; EYOB M (Ass. Prof)

Worked Example On the Design of Interchange Ramp

______________________________________________________________________________

Based on the above Known parameters, Other stations can be easily determined as
follows

a) Determination of Station Points

Type of Curve Points Formulas Result

Stat PVCc Equal with Stat PC 40+00

Crest curve Stat PVIc Lc 41+52.15
Stat PVCc +
2
Stat PVTc Stat PVCc + Lc 41+ 52.15
Stat PVCs Stat PVCc + LConst 46 +15.93
Sag Curve Stat PVIs Ls 47+26.59
Stat PVCs + ( )
2
Stat PVTs Stat PVCs + Ls 48+37.24

A. Determination of Elevation Points

By Inspection Elev. Of PVCc = 565.5+16.5+6 =588ft =Elev. Of PVIc

Type of Points Formulas Result

Curve
Elevation PVCc Equals with Elev. Of PVIc 588ft
Crest curve Elev. Of PVTc Alc 585.37 ft
Elev. of PVCc −
200
Elev. Of PVCs 𝐴𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡 569.33 ft
Sag Curve Elev. of PVTc − ( )
100
Elev. Of PVTs ALs 565.5 ft
Elev. of PVCs − ( )
200
Compare it with 565.5ft
given value of PVTs

Date February 7,2022 GC