Compound Curves

Compound Curve consists of two or more consecutive simple curves having different radius, but whose
centers lie on the same side of the curve, likewise any two consecutive must have a common tangent at
their meeting point. When two such curves lie upon opposite sides of the common tangents, the two
curves then turns a reversed curve. In a compound curve, the point of the common tangent where the
two curves join is called the point of compound curvature (P.C.C.)

Elements of a compound curve:

C
I=I1+I2

T1 I1

P.C. T1 E I2
A
D
T2
R1 T2
P.T.
I2
I1 R2 F
0’

𝑅1 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝐴𝐸
𝑅2 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝐸𝐹
𝑇1 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝐸
𝑇2 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝐸𝐹

𝐵𝐷 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐼1 = 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝐸
𝐼2 = 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝐸𝐹
𝐼 = 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝐴𝐶 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝐹
𝐼1
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan
2
𝐼2
𝑇2 = 𝑅2 tan
2
 Problem 307

The common tangent AB of a compound curve is 76.42m. with an azimuth of 268°30’. The vertex v being
inaccessible. The azimuth of the tangents AV and VB was measured to be 247°50’ and 282°50’,
respectively. If the stationing of A is 43+010.46 and the degree of the first curve was fixed at 4° based on
the 20m. chord. Using chord basis.
a. Determine the stationing of the P.C.
b. Determine the stationing of the P.C.C.
c. Determine the stationing of the P.T.

Solution:
C
I=I1+I2

T1 I1

P.C. T1 E I2
A
D
T2
R1 T2
I2 P.T.
I1 R2 F
0’

0
a. Stationing of the P.C.

𝐼1 = 268°30′ − 247°50′
𝐼1 = 20°40′
𝐼2 = 282°50′ − 268°30′
𝐼2 = 14°20′

10 10

R
R

D/2 D/2
 𝐷1 = 4°
𝐷1 10
sin =
2 𝑅1
10
sin 2° =
𝑅1
𝑅1 = 286.56
𝐼1
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan
2
𝑇1 = 286.56 tan 10°20′
𝑇1 = 52.25𝑚.

𝑃. 𝐶. = (43 + 010.46) − 52.25

𝑷. 𝑪. = 𝟒𝟐 + 𝟗𝟓𝟖. 𝟐𝟏

b. Stationing of the P.C.C.

𝑇1 + 𝑇2 = 76.42
𝑇2 = 76.42 − 52.25
𝑇2 = 24.17
𝐼2
𝑇2 = 𝑅2 tan
2
24.17 = 𝑅2 tan 7°10′
𝑅2 = 192.233𝑚.
𝐷2 10
sin =
2 𝑅2

𝐷2 10
sin =
2 192.23
𝐷2
= 2°59′
2
𝐷2 = 5°58′
𝐼1 (20)
𝐿𝐶1 =
𝐷1
20°40′(20)
𝐿𝐶1 =
4

20.667(20)
𝐿𝐶1 =
4

𝐿𝐶1 = 103.34

𝑃. 𝐶. 𝐶. = (42 + 958.21) + 103.34

𝑃. 𝐶. 𝐶 = 103.34

c. Stationing of the P.T.

𝐼2 (20)
𝐿𝐶2 =
𝐷2
 14°33′(20)
𝐿𝐶2 =
5°58′
14.33(20)
𝐿𝐶2 =
5.966
𝐿𝐶2 = 48.10

𝑃. 𝑇. = (43 + 06.55) + 48.10

𝑃. 𝑇. = 43 + 109.65

Problem 308
The long chord from P.C. to the P.T. of a compound curve is 300 meters long and the angles it makes
with the longer ad shorter tangents are 12° and 15° respectively. If the common tangent is parallel to
the long chord
a. Find the radius of the first curve
b. Find the radius of the second curve
c. If stationing of P.C. is 10+204.30, find the stationing of P.T.

Solution:
V

12°
C 15°

A 6° 7°30’ B
10+204.30 300
I2
R2

R1 I1/2

166°30’
A
Radius of the first curve: 6°
𝐼1 = 12° 7°30’ B
𝐼2 = 15° 300
 Considering the triangle ABC:
300 𝐵𝐶
′
=
sin 166°30 sin 6°
300 sin 6°
𝐵𝐶 =
sin 166°30′
𝐵𝐶 = 134.33𝑚.
300 𝐴𝐶
′
=
sin 166°30 sin 7°30′
300 sin 7°30′
𝐴𝐶 =
sin 166°30′
𝐴𝐶 = 167.74𝑚.

12°
C

167.74/2
A 167.74/2

6°
6°

𝐼1 𝐴𝐶
sin =
2 2𝑅1
167.74
𝑅1 =
2 sin 6°
𝑅1 = 802.36𝑚.

b. Radius of the 2nd curve: C

134.33/2

134.33/2
B
7°30’
7°30’

R2

𝐵𝐶 0’
𝑅2 =
2 sin 7°30′
 134.33
𝑅2 =
2 sin 7°30′
𝑅2 = 514.55𝑚.

c. Stationingof P.T.
𝑅1 𝐼1 𝜋
𝐿𝑐1 =
180
802.36(12°)𝜋
𝐿𝑐1 =
180
𝐿𝑐1 = 168.05𝑚.

𝑅2 𝐼2 𝜋
𝐿𝑐2 =
180
514.55(15°)𝜋
𝐿𝑐2 =
180
𝐿𝑐2 = 134.71𝑚.

𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃. 𝑇. = (10 + 204.30) + 168.05 + 134.71

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃. 𝑇. = 10 + 507.06

Problem 309
The locating engineer a railroad curve runs a 6° curve to the P.C.C., 300m. long from the P.C. of the
compound curve, thence from the P.C.C., a 1°40’ curve was run towards to the P.T. 600m. long. Use arc
basis.
a. It is required to determine the length of the long chord connecting the P.C. and P.T.
b. Find the angle that the long chord makes with the first tangent
c. Find the angle that the long chord makes with 2nd tangent

Solution:

I1
I2
Lc1 25°
45°

I1 Lc2
R1
25°
L

R2
I2

0’
 C/2
C/2
C/2

45° C/2
R1 R2

R2
25°

a. Length of the long chord connecting the P.C.and P.T.

𝐿𝑐1 = 300
20𝐼1
𝐿𝑐1 =
𝐷1
300(6)
𝐼1 =
20
𝐼1 = 90°
𝐿𝑐2 = 600
𝐷2 = 1°40′

20𝐼2
𝐿𝑐2 =
𝐷2
600(1.667)
𝐼2 =
20
𝐼2 = 50°
1145.916
𝑅1 =
𝐷1
1145.916
𝑅1 =
6
𝑅1 = 190.99𝑚.
𝐶1
sin 45° =
2𝑅1
𝐶1 = 2𝑅1 sin 45°
𝐶1 = 2(190.99) sin 45°
𝐶1 = 270.10𝑚.
1145.916
𝑅2 =
𝐷2
1145.916
𝑅2 =
1°66′
𝑅2 = 687.55𝑚.
𝐶2
sin 45° =
2𝑅2
𝐶2 = 2𝑅2 sin 45°
𝐶2 = 2(687.55) sin 45°
𝐶2 = 581.14𝑚.
 C1=270.10
110°
C2=581.14

ß
L
P.C.

𝐿2 = (270.10)2 + (581.14)2 − 2(581.14)(270.10) cos 110°

𝐿 = 719.76𝑚.

b. Angle that the long chord makeswith the first tangent:

I=140°

40°

90°
45° 50°
25°
45°

49.21°
90°

R1
0
L

I2=50° R2

0’
581.14 719.76
=
sin 𝜃 sin 110°
𝜃 = 49°21′
sin 𝐵 sin 110°
=
270.10 719.76
𝐵 = 20°39′
 The angle of the long chord makes with the first tangent line is
45° + 49°21′ = 94°21′

c. The angle of the long chord makes with the 2nd tangent line is
25° + 20°39′ = 45°39′

Problem 310

Given the following compound curve with the vertex V, inaccessible. Angles VAD and VDA are equal to
16°20’ and 13°30’ respectively. Stationing of A is 1+125.92. degree of curve are 3°30’ for the first curve
and 4°00’ for the second curve.
a. It is desired to substitute the compound curve with a simple curve that shall end with the same P.T.,
determine the total length of curve of the simple curve.
b. It is desired to substitute the compound curve with a simple curve that shall be tangent to the two
tangent lines as well as the common tangent AD. What is the radius of the simple curve.
c. What is the stationing of the new P.C.

Solution:
 Problem 311

A compound curve connects three tangents having an azimuth of 254°, 270° and 280° respectively. The
length of the chord is 320m. long measured from P.C. to the P.T. of the curve and is parallel to the
common tangent having an azimuth of 270°. If the stationing of the P.T. is 6+520.
a. Determine the total length of the curve
b. Determine the stationing of the P.C.C.
c. Determine the stationing of the P.C.

Solution:
 Problem 312
A turn around pattern which fits with the topography is provided in a highway by connecting four
tangents with a compound curve consisting of three simple curves. The azimuth of AB=220°15’,
BC=264°30’, CD=320°24’ and DE=°24’ and DE=2°58’. The radius of the last curve is four times sharper
than the first curve. The distance BC=303m. and CD=200m.
a. Compute the radius of the 3rd curve.
b. Compute the radius of the second curve.
c. If P.C. is at 12+152.60, what is the stationing of the P.T.
 Problem 313
On a rail line two tangents that intersect at station 10+243 so as to form an angle of 36°28’ are to be
connected by a compound curve consisting of two simple curve beginning at the P.C. which is at station
10+163 is to be a 4° curve whose degree is based on a 20m. chord and is to have a central angle of 17°.
Using chord basis.
a. What should be the radius of the other simple curve that ends at the P.T.?
b. Compute the stationing of the P.C.C.
c. What is the length of the tangent from the P.I to the P.T. of the compound curve?

10+243

I=36°28’

143°32’
80m.
19°28’
17°

T1

10+163

9°44’
9°44’
R2=136.94
R1=286.54 8°30’
8°30’
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝟓𝟔.
Problem 314𝟏𝟏

The common tangent AB of the compound curve is 76.42m. with an azimuth of 268°30’. The vertex V
being inaccessible. The azimuth of the tangents AV and VB was measured to be 247°50’ and 282°50’
respectively. The stationing at A is 10+010.46 and the degree of the first curve is 4° based on the 20m.
chord. Use chord basis
a. Compute the stationing of P.C.C.
b. Compute the radius of the second curve.
c. Compute the stationing of the P.T.
 Problem 315

Problem 315:
In a compound curve, the line connecting the P.I. at point V and the P.C.C. is an angle bisector. AV is 270
meters and BV=90m. The stationing of A is 6+420 and that of B is 8+721. Point A is along the tangent
passing thru the P.C. while point B is along the tangent passing thru the P.T. The P.C.C. is along line AB.
a. Compute the radius of the first curve passing thru the P.C.
b. Compute the radius of the second curve passing thru the P.T.
c. Determine the length of the long chord from P.C. to P.T.
 Problem 316

Two intersecting streets, one straight and the other simple curve, is to be connected by a small curve to
round off the street corner, as shown in the figure. An existing station of the curve “A” was occupied by
a transit and a backsight taken to a second point “H” on the curve. An angle equal to the deflection
angle to H, was deflected setting line AB tangent to the curve A. point B is the intersection with the
straight street MB. The instrument was then transferred to B, and the angle ABD was measured and
found to be 75°20’. The tangent line AB was also measured and found to be 50m. if the radius of the
simple curve street is 60m. and the radius of the small curve connecting the simple curve and the
straight street is 12m.

a. Find the length of BD.

b. Find angle GEA.
c. Find the deflection angle BAG.
 Problem 317

In the figure shown, AV is a straight road and DF is a curved street. The radius of the curved street is
30m. A circular curve of 8m.radius is to be introduced at H to round off the intersection. AM is 64.52m.
and FM is 58.64m. The angle AMF is equal to 47°36’. The stationing of A is 12+320.30. Deflection angle
of point K from F is 20°27’
a. Find the stationing of point G.
b. Find the stationing of point E.
c. Find the stationing of point K.

12+320.30 64.52m.

A G D M V
E Θ 47°56’
8m

L H r=8m

26°37’
22°
K 58.64m.
C 62°54’
40°54’
20°27’
R=30m.

F
 Problem 318

Two tangents that intersect at the angle of 44°36’ are to be connected by a compound curve. The
tangent at the beginning of the curve at the P.C. is 125.70m. long. The degree of curve of the first curve
on the P.C. is 4°. Using arc basis.
a. Compute the radius of the 2nd curve.
b. Compute the central angle of the 2nd curve
c. Compute the central angle of the first curve
 Problem 319

Two tangents AB and VB are connected by a compound curve at points A (P.C.). and B (P.T.). Point V is
the point of intersection of the tangents (P.I.). Angle VAB =30° and angle VBA =40°. Distance AB is 200m.
and the radius of the second curve R2=100m.
a. Determine the central angle of the first curve
b. Determine the central angle of the 2nd curve
c. Determine the radius of the first curve
 Problem 320

Two tangents that intersect at an angle of 42°36’ are to be connected by a compound curve consisting of
a 4° curve and a 5°30’ curve. If the tangent at the beginning of the curve to the point of intersection of
the tangent is 110m.long.
a. Compute the central angle of the first curve
b. Compute the central angle of the second curve
c. Compute the length of the tangent from the end of the 5°30’ curve to the point of intersection
of the tangent
 Problem 321

Two tangents intersect at station 26+050. A compound curve laid their tangents has the following data:
I1=31°
I2=36°
D1=3°
D2=5°
a. Compute the stationing of the P.C.
b. Compute the stationing of the P.T.
c. If the P.T. is moved 15m. out from the center, compute the stationing of the new P.T. with the
P.C.C. remaining unchanged.
 Problem 322

The highway engineer of a certain road construction decided to use a radius of 100m. in laying out a
simple curve having an angle of intersection of 36°20’. The stationing of the vertex is 30+375.20 after
verifying the actual conditions of the proposed route, it was found out that the P.T. should be moved
out in a parallel tangent having a perpendicular distance of 10 meters with the angle of intersection
remaining the same while the curve shall have the same P.C.
a. Compute the new tangent distance
b. Compute the new radius of curve
c. Compute the stationing of new P.T
 Problem 323
A 6° simple curve connects two tangents that intersect at an angle of 42°. If the P.C. which is at station
0+168.15 is to be retained and a 4° curve is to connect the first curve with the second tangent that is
shifted 20 meters to a parallel position outward. Use arc basis.
a. Find the stationing of old P.T.
b. Find the positioning of the P.C.C.
c. Find the positioning of the new P.T.

Solution: B
a. Stationing of old P.T. T2 42°
42°

T1 V
20°
P.C.C.
P.C.
0+168.15

Old P.T.
R1=190.99
α=28°23’ C
New P.T.

ß=4°14’ δ=37°46’

δ=37°46’ G R2

0’
 Problem 324

a. Bearing of CA:
Two simple curves are both convex to the northeast. The first has a radius of 300m. and its center
designated as A. The second curve has a radius of 500m. and its center designated as B. They have so
been located at the line AB connecting their centers is 762m. long and has a bearing N45°W. A third
simple curve, concave to the northeast with a radius of 50m.and its center designated as C, is to be
located so that it will be tangent to the other two curves.
a. Compute the bearing of CA.
b. Compute the angle ACB.
c. Compute the bearing CB
 Problem 325

Given a compound curve I1=24°, I2=36°, D1=6°, D2=4°

a. Compute the length of the common tangent of the curve.
b. Compute the stationing of P.C.C. if P.C. is at 10+420.
c. Compute the stationing of P.T.

Solution:

Length of the common tangent of the curve:

Common tangent

T1 T2

24° P.C.C. 36°

P.C.

P.T.

12°
12°

18°
18°
 Problem 326

The length of the common tangent of a compound curve is equal to 68.62m. The common tangent
makes an angle of 12° and 18° respectively to the tangents of the compound curve. If the length of the
tangent of the first curve (on the side of P.C.) is equal to 41.02m.
a. Compute the radius of the second curve.
b. Compute the radius of the first curve.
c. Compute the stationing of the P.T. if P.C. is at 20+042.20.

Solution: 68.62

T1=41.02 T2

12° 18°
T1 T2
P.C.C.
P.C.C.

P.C.
P.C.
P.C. P.T

9°
RR11 9°
9° RR22
R1 R2
 Problem 327

A compound curve has a length of chord of the first curve (passing thru the P.C. to P.T.) of 470m. If the
angle that the long chord makes with the chord from the P.C.to P.C.C. and from P.T. to P.C.C. are 6° and
9° respectively. Assume that the long chord is parallel to the common tangent
a. Find the length of the long chord.
b. Find the radius of first curve.
Find the radius of second curve.

Solution:

470 230
165°
6° 9°
L

6°
 Problem 327-A

The common tangent of a compound curve makes an angle of 14° and 20° with the tangent of the first
curve and the second curve respectively. The length of chord from the P.C. to P.C.C. is 73.5m. and that
from P.C.C. to P.T. is 51.3m.
a. Find the length of the chord from the P.C. to the P.T. if it is parallel to the common tangent
b. Find the radius of the first curve
c. Find the radius of the second curve
 Problem 327-B

A compound curve has a common tangent 84.5m. long which makes angles of 16° and 20° with the
tangent of the first curve and the second curve respectively. The length of the tangent of the first curve
is 38.6m. What is the radius of the second curve:

Solution:

A 16° 20°
T1
T2
P.C.
P.T.

R1

8°
8°
R2
10° 10°
 Problem 327-C

A compound curve has a common tangent 84.5m. long which makes angles of 16° and 20° with the
tangent of the first curve and the second curve respectively. The length of the tangent of the second
curve is 42m.
a. What is the radius of the first curve.
b. Find the radius of the second curve
c. Find the length of curve from P.C. to P.T.
 Problem 327-D

Given a compound curve I1=24°, I2=36°,D1=6°, D2=4°.

a. Compute the length of the common tangent of the compound curve. Use the arc basis
b. Compute the sta. of P.C. if P.I. is at sta. 12+988.20
c. Compute the sta. of P.T.

d P.I.=12+988.20

130m
26° 36°
40.60
T2
T1
P.C.

P.T.

R1
12° 12°
R2
18°
18°
 Problem 329
A compound curve has the following data:
I1=28°, I2=38°, R1=390m., R2=220m. If P.C. is at sta. 20+100
a. Compute the length of the common tangent.
b. Compute the sta. of P.C.C.
c. Compute the sta. of P.T.
 Problem 331
A common curve passes thru a common tangent AB having a length of 300m. The radius of the first
curve is equal to 290m. and a central angle of 42°. If the radius of the second curve is 740m.
a. Compute the length of the tangent of the second curve.
b. Compute the central angle of second curve.
c. Compute the stationing of the PT if PC is at (20+542.20)
 Problem 313

The common tangent AB of a compound curve makes an angle with the tangents of the compound curve
of 25°30’ and 30°00’ respectively. The stationing of A of 10+362.42. The degree of curve of the first
curve is 4°30’. It is required to change this compound curve with a simple curve that shall end with the
same P.T. while the direction of the tangents remains the same
a. Find the radius of the simple curve
b. Find the stationing of the new P.C.
c. Find the stationing of P.T
 Problem 332

A common tangent AB of a compound curve makes an angle with the tangents of 26° and 38°
respectively. The degree of curve of the first curve is 5°30’ while that of the second curve is 3°30’. The
stationing of the point of intersection of the tangents is at 12+434.63. if it is desired to substitute a
simple curve that shall be tangent to the two tangent as well as the common tangent.
a. Find the radius of the simple curve
b. Find the stationing of the new P.C.
c. Find the stationing of the new P.T.
 Problem 333

Traverse line MN, NO, OP are centerlines of a portion of a proposed highway. Respectively the bearings
and distances are; MN due North, 277.60 meters; NO, N26°40’E, 107.00 meters; OP, N61°30’E, 200.00
meters. A previously designed compound curve connected these three tangent lines with the P.C.C. at
station 2+012.00. It is desired to revise the system into a single circular curve that will still be tangent to
the three lines.
a. Determine the radius of the simple curve
b. Determine the stationing of the new P.C. if station N is at 1+975.00
c. Determine the stationing of the new P.T.