EXPERIMENTAL LAB PROCEDURES

Highway
Engineering
and September, 2022
Pavement
Design

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 PRACTICAL NO 1 CIVE 416: SETTING OUT OF A HORIZONTAL CURVE

1.0 Introduction:
A curve is a segment of a circle used when the direction of a highway, road or railway line changes
direction. Curves are important for smooth and safe transition or movements of vehicles and comfort
to the passengers. The curves may be in horizontal or vertical planes. The curve to be set-out for this
practical is horizontal curve.
2.0 Objective:
The objectives of this practical are in two folds:

i) To determine the elements of simple curve which includes measuring of angles and sub chord
distances either from Point of Curvature (PC) or from Point of Tangent (PT) to other points
along the curve

3.0 Method: The method to be used to set-out horizontal curve is Rankine Method. Setting out a curve using

4.0 Equipment:
i) 1 Total Station/Electronic Theodolite
ii) 50m tape
iii) 2 ranging poles
iv) Ion pins/pegs

5.0 Task 1:

Simple horizontal curves to be determined in the field have the following parameters:
A: Group 1 a) R= 55m
b) 40 degrees intersection angle
c) Sub-chord distance of 5m.
B: Group 2 a) R= 50m
b) 45 degrees intersection angle
c) Sub-chord distance of 4m

C: Group 3 a) R= 65m
b) 50 degrees intersection angle
c) Sub-chord distance of m 6m
D: Group 4 a) R = 50m
b) Intersection angle = 35 degrees
c) Sub chord distance = 3m

From the above provided parameters, calculate the following curve elements that will be used to set out a
curve.
i) Tangent distance (T)
ii) Length of a curve (L)
iii) Length of a Long Chord ( )
iv) Deflection angles for points
to be used for setting out a curve using the following equation:

(degree minutes)

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4.1 Task 2: Setting out of a horizontal curve

PI (Intersection
angle )
T
P2 P3
P4
T P1 P5
PT
.

PC

Figure 1. Example - curve diagram

4.1.1 Procedure:

Having computed the curve elements (T), (L), ( ) and deflection angles ( ’s)

1. Set up a Total Station at point PI and level properly

2. Measure the tangent distance (T) from PI to PC to establish point PC and point PT

3. Move the Total Station from PI to point PC and level properly

4. Measure the Long chord distance ( ) to establish point PT

5. At point PC orient the Total Station to point PI and record the direction reading

6. Rotate the Total Station with the first deflection angle to establish point P1

7. Measure the first sub-chord distance from point PC to P1

8. At point PC orient to PI and record the angular reading

9. Rotate the Total Station with the second deflection angle to establish point P2 and measure the second
sub-chord distance from point P1 to P2

10. Repeat steps 5 -9 until the last deflection angle to point PT is reached.

11. Set the last deflection angle, measure and record the last sub-chord distance from point Pn-1 to PT

12. Check and record your computations by subtracting the computed and measured angles PI, PC and PT.

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5.0 Report:
i) Each individual should write a report on the work done accompanied by original
Field notes and office works.

6.0 Submission:
Submit your practical reports within fourteen (14) days from the day of this practical