Al Al-bayt University

Faculty of Engineering
Surveying Engineering Department

Course of Route Surveying Lab

Prepared by:

Dr.A’kif Al-Fugara
Eng.Alia Al-Mashaqbeh

Second Semester 2021/2022

 Lecture 1

Introduction to Horizontal Curves

Harahsheh 2
What is Route Surveying?

•Is the surveys required to establish the HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL

alignment for linear projects such as:
– Highways,
– Railways,
– Levees,
– Stream channels,
– Power transmission lines,
– Pipelines
Why Use Curves?

Most types of transportation routes, such as highways, railroads, and pipelines, are
connected by curves in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Curves are provided for smooth or gradual change in direction due the following reasons:
o nature of terrain,
o cultural features, or
o In highway practice, it is recommended to provide curves deliberately on straight route to break
the monotony in driving on long straight route to avoid accidents.
Geometric Elements of Routes

• The centerline of a road consists of a series of straight lines

connected by curves that change alignment ,direction, and
slope.
Horizontal Curves:

Horizontal Curves are used in horizontal planes to connect two straight tangent
sections.

• The principal consideration in the design of a horizontal curve is the selection of the
length of the radius or the degree of curvature.

• This selection is based on:

• – the design speed of the highway,
• – the sight distance as limited by head-lights or obstructions,
• – allowable superelevation, and
• – friction factor.
Types of Horizontal Curves

• There are five types of horizontal curves:

1. SIMPLE
2. COMPOUND
3. REVERSE
4. BROKEN-BACK
5. SPIRAL
  Types of Horizontal Curves
1. Simple Curve:
A circular arc connecting two tangents .The radius of the
circle determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve (Figure A).

2. Compound Curve:
Two or more circular arcs of different radii tangent to each
other curving in the same direction (Figure B). Frequently, the
terrain will require the use of the compound curve.

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3. Reverse curve:
A reverse curve consists of two simple curves joined together, but
curving in opposite direction. For safety reasons, the use of this curve should
be avoided when possible (Figure c).

4. Broken-back Curve:
the broken back curve consists of two simple curves joined
together in the same direction. They have one common tangent
connect between them (Figure D).

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 5. Spiral Curve:
- The spiral is a curve of varying radius used to gradually increase the curvature of a road or
railroad.

- Its purpose is to provide a transition from the tangent to a simple curve or between simple
curves in a compound curve.

-Spiral curves are used primarily to reduce skidding and steering difficulties by gradual
transition between straight-line and turning motion.

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 Sharpness of the Curve

• The sharpness of the curve can be expressed in any of two ways

radius and degree of curve (arc and chord definition):
• 1. Radius
• – This method usually is usually used in subdivision surveys and frequently in
highway works
– In design practice, radius is chosen on the basis of: Design speed +
allowable superelevation + friction factor

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 Sharpness of the Curve
2. Degree of Curve – arc definition (Da)
• The arc definition states that the degree of curve (Da) is the central angle formed by two
radii drawn from the center of the circle to the ends of an arc 100 feet or 30.48 meters
long.

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 Sharpness of the Curve

3. Degree of Curve – chord definition (Dc)

o The chord definition states that the degree of curve is the angle formed by two radii
drawn from the center of the circle to the ends of a chord 100 feet or 30.48 meters
long.

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 Sharpness of the Curve

Jordanian Code:
Da is defined as the angle subtended at the center of the curve by an arc of 30 m

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 Sharpness of the Curve

- The radius and the degree of curve are not inversely

proportional even though, as in the arc definition, the larger the
degree of curve the “sharper” the curve and the shorter the
radius.

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 Circular curve elements
1. (PI) POINT OF INTERSECTION.
The point of intersection is the point where the back and
for-ward tangents intersect .Sometimes, the point of
intersection is designated as V (vertex).

2. (I) INTERSECTING ANGLE.

The intersecting angle is the deflection angle at the PI.
Its value is either computed from the preliminary
traverse angles or measured in the field.

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 Circular curve elements

3. (D) CENTRAL ANGLE.

The central angle is the angle formed
by two radii drawn from the center of
the circle (O) to the PC and PT.

• The value of the central angle is equal

to the I angle. Some authorities call
both the intersecting angle and central
angle either I or D.
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 Circular curve elements

4. (R) RADIUS.
• The radius of the circle of which the curve is an arc,or segment.
The radius is always perpendicular to back and forward tangents

5. (PC) POINT OF CURVATURE.

• The point of curvature is the point on the back tangent where the circular
curve begins .It is sometimes designated
as:
– BC (beginning of curve),
or
– TC (tangent to curve).

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 Circular curve elements

6. (PT) POINT OF TANGENCY

• The point of tangency is the point on the forward tangent where the curve ends.
• It is sometimes designated
as:
– BT (Beginning of tangent),
or
– CT (curve to tangent), or
– EC (end of curve)

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 Circular curve elements

7. (L) LENGTH OF CURVE.

• The length of curve is the distance from the PC to the PT,
measured along the curve.

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 Circular curve elements

8. (T) TANGENT DISTANCE.

• The tangent distance is the distance along the tangents from
the PI to the PC or the PT.
• These distances are equal on a simple curve.

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 Circular curve elements

9. (LC) LONG CHORD.

• The long chord is the straight-line distance from the PC to the
PT

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 Circular curve elements

10. (E) EXTERNAL DISTANCE (also called the external secant)

• Is the distance from the PI to the midpoint of the curve.
• The external distance bisects the interior angle at the PI.

11. (M) MIDDLE ORDINATE.

• Is the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the midpoint
of the long chord. The extension of the middle ordinate bisects
the central angle.

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Formulas for Horizontal Curves

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ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

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ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

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 (b) Arc definition:

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 ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

2) Tangent Length (T)

(3) Length of the long chord (Lc)

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 ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

(4) Apex distance or external distance (E)

(5) Mid-ordinate(M)

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 Stationing (Chainage)
In the process of route design the project centerline is suggested and studied.
• The details of this route includes determining the coordinates of PIs of
tangents.
• Intermediate points are marked along the centerline. Such points are spaced
in the range of 10 to 50 meters based on, among other factors, the nature of
terrain.
The horizontal spacing between the intermediate points is called “Station” or
“Chainage”
• After the tangents are connected with the appropriate curves, the stations (or
Chainage) of the PCs and PTs of such curves are calculated.

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Stationing (Chainage)

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