Fieldwork No.

15
LAYING-OUT A COMPOUND CURVE

Name : Weather :
Group No. : Place :
Designation : Time, Start :
Instructor : End :

I. Objectives

To lay out a compound curve consisting of two simple curves with different radii by deflection
angles method

II. Instruments

1 unit - Engineers transit 1 pc - Plumb bob

1 roll - string 1 pc - 50-meter tape
10 pcs - marking pins

III. Theory
A compound curve consists of two or more simple curves connected one after the other.
The point where the curves are connected is called PCC which stands for point of compound
curve. At that point the curves have the same tangent thus the term common tangent of the
compound curve. The length of the common tangent is equal to the sum of the length of the
tangent of the first curve, T 1, and the length of the 2nd tangent, T2. The point of intersection of
the tangents of the first curve is called PI 1 and the point of intersection of the tangents of the
2nd curve is called PI2. Obviously the distance from PI1 to PI2 is the common tangent of the
compound curve. The deflection angle of the common tangent with respect to the main
backward tangent of the compound curve is equal to the central angle of the 1 st curve and the
deflection angle of the common tangent with respect to the main forward tangent of the
compound curve is the same as the central angle of the 2nd curve.

The compound curve can be laid out using deflection angles. For the first curve the
deflection angles would be reckoned from to the main backward tangent and those of the
second curve from the common tangent.
 PI
I

PI1 I
I1 PI2
2
PC

PT

I2

I1

IV. Procedure

A. Preliminary Calculations

1. The following data will be used to layout the desired compound curve-centerline in the
field.

Sta PI1 = 12+063.00

Deflection angle at PI, I = 1100 00’ ( central angle of curve)
Deflection an gle I1 = 520 (the central angle of the first curve)
Degree of curve, D1 = 100 (subtending a 20- meter arc length)
Degree of curve,D2 = 180 (subtending a 20- meter arc length)
2. Compute the value of the following curve parameters:

 Deflection angle, I2 (the central angle of the second curve)

 Radius R1 and R2 of the first and second curves, respectively
 Length of Tangents,T1, T2, and Tc
 Stationing of the PC
 Length of Curves, L1 and L2
 Deflection angles from the back tangent about the PC of all even stations on the
first curve and the corresponding lengths of sub chords
 Deflection angles from the common tangent about the PCC of all even stations on
second curve and the corresponding lengths of sub chords.
 Length of the long chords, C1 and C2, for the first and second curve from P.C.C. to
BC and P.C.C. to EC respectively

3. Tabulate the computed deflection angles corresponding to every point on the curve
and the corresponding lengths of subchord.

Points Deflection Length of Remarks

angles subchord
12+----- PC
12+----- 1st even station

B. Laying out the curve

1. Set up and level the instrument at a point of intersection of the tangents of the first
curve ( PI 1) and, using the calculated tangent distances and angle of intersections,
establish the beginning of the curve (PC), the point of compound curve (PCC), the point
of intersection of the tangents of the 2nd curve (PI2), and the end of the curve PT.
2. Transfer the instrument to the PC and layout the first curve starting from the PC to the
PCC using the deflection angles and subchord lengths (Refer to the procedure for Field
Work 1).
3. Transfer the instrument at the PCC and layout the 2 nd curve from the PCC to the PT
using deflection angles from the common tangent and subchord distances.
4. For checking purposes measure the length of the long chords, C1 and C2, subtended by
the first and second curves that is from P.C.C. to BC and P.C.C. to E.C. and the distance
from the PC to the PT.
V. Findings

Tabulate all data and show sample computations.

Comment on the procedure of the fieldwork. Propose any improvement.

VI. Conclusion

Under what certain field conditions does the use of a compound curve will be found
appropriate. Discuss thoroughly.
VII. Sketch