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Module 6 - Revised
Module 6 - Revised
Chapter 6
HORIZONTAL CURVES
SIMPLE CURVES
A simple curve is a circular arc, extending from one tangent to the next. The point where the curve
leaves the first tangent is called the “Point of Curvature” (P.C.) and the point where the curve joins
the second tangent is called the “Point of Tangency”(P.T.). The P.C. and P.T. are often called the
tangent points. If the tangent be produced, they will meet in a point of intersection called the
“vertex”. The distance from the vertex to the P.C. or P.T. is called the “tangent distance”. The
distance from the vertex to the curve is called the “external distance” (measure towards the center
of curvature). While the line joining the middle of the curve and middle of the chord line joining P.C.
and P.T. is called the “middle ordinate”.
2. Inscribed angles having the same or equal intercepted arcs are equal.
3. An angle formed by a tangent and a chord is measured by one half its intercepted arc.
1
5. Angles whose sides are perpendicular each to each are either equal or supplementary.
1145.916
𝐷=
𝑅
b. English System
5729.58
𝐷=
𝑅
2
2. Degree of Curve: (Chord Basis)
Degree of curve is the angle subtended by a chord of 20 meters in Metric System or 100 ft
in English System.
a. Metric System
𝐷 10
sin =
2 𝑅
10
𝑅=
𝐷
sin
2
b. English System
𝐷 50
sin 2 = 𝑅
50
𝑅=
𝐷
sin 2
1. Tangent Distance
3
𝐼 𝑇
tan 2 = 𝑅
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
2. External Distance
𝐼 𝑅
cos 2 = 𝑂𝑉
𝐼
𝑂𝑉 = 𝑅 sec
2
𝐸 = 𝑂𝑉 − 𝑅
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 sec − 𝑅
2
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 (sec − 1)
2
3. Middle Ordinate
𝐼 𝐴𝑂
cos 2 = R
𝐼
𝐴𝑂 = 𝑅 cos 2
𝑀 = 𝑅 − 𝐴𝑂
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 − 𝑅 cos 2
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 − cos )
2
4. Length of Chord
𝐶
𝐼 2
sin 2 = 𝑅
𝐼
𝐶 = 2𝑅 sin
2
4
5. Length of Curve
𝐿𝑐 20
𝐼
= 𝐷
20𝐼
𝐿𝑐 = (𝑀𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐)
𝐷
𝐿𝑐 100
𝐼
= 𝐷
100𝐼
𝐿𝑐 = (𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ)
𝐷
b. General Formula for Lc (for Both Arc Basis and Chord Basis)
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 = 𝑅𝐼 𝑥
180
5
Example Problem 1:
a. Find the nearest distance from the mid-point of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents
b. Compute the distance from the mid-point of the curve to the mid-point of the
long chord joining the point of curvature and point of tangency
c. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 11+020, compute the stationing of
a point on the curve which intersects with the line making a deflection angle of
80 with the tangent through the P.C.
Solution:
c. Stationing of B
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝐵 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃. 𝐶 + 𝑆
𝑆 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑃. 𝐶. 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝐵
𝜋
𝑆 = 𝑅𝐼 𝑥 180
190.99(16)𝜋
𝑆= 180
𝑆 = 53.33𝑚
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝐵 = (11 + 020) + (53.33)
𝑺𝒕𝒂. 𝒐𝒇 𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏 + 𝟎𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟑
6
Example Problem 2:
Solution:
a. Angle of Intersection
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 2
1 𝐼
2
𝑅 = 𝑅 tan 2
𝐼 1
𝑡𝑎𝑛 =
2 2
𝑰 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟏𝟑𝟎 answer
b. Length of Curve
𝐿𝐶 20
𝐼
=
𝐷
20(53.13)
𝐿𝑐 =
3.5
𝑳𝒄 = 𝟑𝟎𝟑. 𝟔𝟎𝒎 answer
7
Example Problem 3:
Three tangent lines AB, BC, and CD of a traverse have azimuths of 228˚15’,
253˚30’and 315˚18’ respectively. The stationing of B is (12 + 585) and that of C is (12 + 885).
A proposed highway curve is to connect these three tangents.
a. Compute the radius of the simple curve that connects these tangents.
b. Compute the stationing of the P.C.
c. Compute the length of the curve from P.C. to P.T.
Solution:
a. Radius of curve
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 = 300
𝑅 tan 12°37.5′ + 𝑅 tan 30°54′ = 300
𝑹 = 𝟑𝟔𝟒. 𝟕𝟓𝒎 answer
c. Length of Curve
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 = 𝑅𝐼𝑥
180°
𝜋(364.75)(87°03′ )
𝐿𝑐 = 180°
8
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 curves must have a
common tangent at their meeting point. When two such curves lie upon opposite sides of the
common tangent, the two curves then turn 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.).
𝐼
T1 = 𝑅1 tan 21
𝐼
T2 = 𝑅2 tan 22
9
Example Problem 1:
Solution:
a. Stationing of P.C.
𝐼1 = 268°30′ − 247°50′
𝐼1 = 20°40′
𝐼2 = 282°50′ − 268°30′
𝐼2 = 14°20′
𝐷1 = 4°
𝐷 10
sin 21 = 𝑅
1
10
sin 2˚ =
𝑅1
𝑅1 = 286.537
𝐼
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan 1
2
20°40′
𝑇1 = 286.537 tan
2
𝑇1 = 52.245
𝑃. 𝐶. = (23 + 010.46) − 52.245
𝑷. 𝑪. = (𝟐𝟐 + 𝟗𝟓𝟖. 𝟐𝟏𝟓) answer
b. Stationing of P.C.C.
𝑅1 𝐼1 𝜋
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
286.537(20°40′)𝜋
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
𝐿𝐶1 = 103.354𝑚
𝑃. 𝐶. 𝐶. = (22 + 958.215) + 103.354
𝑷. 𝑪. 𝑪. = (𝟐𝟑 + 𝟎𝟔𝟏. 𝟓𝟔𝟗) answer
c. Stationing of P.T.
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 = 75.75
𝑇2 = 75.75 − 52.245
𝑇2 = 23.505
𝐼
𝑇2 = 𝑅2 tan 22
10
14°20′
23.505 = 𝑅2 tan 2
𝑅2 = 186.936𝑚
𝑅2 𝐼2 𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 = 180°
186.936(14°20′ )𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 = 180°
𝐿𝐶2 = 46.765𝑚
𝑃. 𝑇. = (23 + 061.569) + 46.765
𝑷. 𝑻. = (𝟐𝟑 + 𝟏𝟎𝟖. 𝟑𝟑𝟒) answer
11
Example Problem 2:
The long chord from the P.C. to P.T. of a compound curve is 300 meters long and the
angle it makes with the longer and shorter tangents are 12˚ and 15˚ respectively. If the
common tangent is parallel to the long chord:
Solution:
12
b. Radius of the second curve
𝐼
𝐶2 = 2𝑅2 sin 2⁄2 ; 𝐶2 = 𝐵𝐶
𝐵𝐶
𝑅2 = 𝐼2
2 sin ⁄2
134.329
𝑅2 = 2 sin 7°30′
𝑹𝟐 = 𝟓𝟏𝟒. 𝟓𝟔𝟕𝒎 answer
c. Stationing of P.T.
𝑅1 𝐼1 𝜋
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
802.36(12°)𝜋
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
𝐿𝐶1 = 168.046𝑚
𝑅2 𝐼2 𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 =
180°
514.567(15°)𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 = 180°
𝐿𝐶2 = 134.713𝑚
13
Example Problem 3:
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
azimuths of AB = 220˚15’, BC = 264˚30’, CD = 320˚24’, DE = 32˚58’. The radius of the last
curve is four times sharper than the first curve. The distance BC = 303m and CD = 200m.
Solution:
𝐼1 = 264°30′ − 220°15′
𝐼1 = 44°15′
𝐼2 = 320°24′ − 264°30′
𝐼2 = 55°54′
𝐼3 = 360° − 320°24′ + 32°58′
𝐼3 = 72°34′
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 = 303
𝑅1 tan 22°7.5′ + 𝑅2 tan 27°57′ = 303
14
0.407𝑅1 + 0.530𝑅2 = 303 ①
𝑇2 + 𝑇3 = 200
𝑅2 tan 27°57′ + 𝑅3 tan 36°17′ = 200
0.530𝑅2 + 0.734𝑅3 = 200 ②
In ①, 𝑅1 = 4𝑅3
0.894𝑅3 = 103
𝑹𝟑 = 𝟏𝟏𝟓. 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝒎 answer
𝑅1 = 4(115.213)
𝑅1 = 460.852𝑚
In ①, Substitute value of 𝑅1
460.852(44°15′)𝜋
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
𝐿𝐶1 = 355.92𝑚
𝑅2 𝐼2 𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 = 180°
217.799(55°54′)𝜋
𝐿𝐶2 =
180°
𝐿𝐶2 = 212.493𝑚
𝑅3 𝐼3 𝜋
𝐿𝐶3 = 180°
115.213(72°34′)𝜋
𝐿𝐶3 = 180°
15
𝐿𝐶3 = 145.92𝑚
16
REVERSED CURVE
A reversed curve is formed by two circular simple curves having a common tangent
but lies on opposite sides. The method of laying out a reversed curve is just the same as the
deflection angle method of laying out simple curves. At the point where the curve reversed
in its direction is called the Point of Reversed Curvature (P.R.C.).
17
Example Problem 1:
Two parallel tangents 10 m apart are connected by a reversed curve. The chord
length from the P.C. to the P.T. equals 120m. Compute the following.
Solution:
𝐼 = 9°33.623′
10
sin 9°33.623′ = 𝐴𝐵
2𝑇 = 𝐴𝐵
18
2𝑇 = 60.209
𝑇 = 30.105
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅𝑡𝑎𝑛 2
c. Stationing of P.R.C.
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 = 𝑅𝐼 𝑥 180
360.003(9°33.623′)𝜋
𝐿𝑐 = 180°
𝐿𝑐 = 60.07𝑚
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝐶. = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴 − 𝑇
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝐶. = (4 + 420) − 30.105
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝐶. = 4 + 389.895
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝑅. 𝐶. = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝐶. +𝐿𝑐
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃. 𝑅. 𝐶. = (4 + 389.895) + 60.07
𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷. 𝑹. 𝑪. = (𝟒 + 𝟒𝟒𝟗. 𝟗𝟔𝟓) answer
19
Example Problem 2:
In a railroad layout, the centerline of the two parallel tracks are connected with a
reversed curve of unequal radii. The central angle of the first curve is 16˚ and the distance
between parallel tracks is 27.60m. Stationing of the P.C. is 13+420 and the radius of the
second curve is 290m. Compute the following.
a. The length of the Long Chord from the P.C. to the P.T.
b. Radius of the first curve
c. The stationing of the P.T.
Solution:
𝐴𝐵 = 100.132𝑚
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2
𝐼
𝑇2 = 𝑅2 tan 2
𝑇2 = 290 tan 8°
20
𝑇2 = 40.757𝑚
𝑇1 = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝑇2
𝑇1 = 100.132 − 40.757
𝑇1 = 59.375𝑚
𝐼
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan 2
𝑇1
𝑅1 = 𝐼
tan
2
59.375
𝑅1 = tan 8
𝐿𝑐 1 = 117.977 𝑚
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 2 = 𝑅2 𝐼 𝑥 180
290(16°)𝜋
𝐿𝑐 2 =
180°
𝐿𝑐 2 = 80.983 𝑚
21
Example Problem 3:
Two tangents converge at an angle of 30˚. The direction of the second tangent is due
east. The distance of the P.C. from the second tangent is 120m. The bearing of the common
tangent is S 40˚ E. Compute the following.
Solution:
𝐼1 = 50° − 30°
𝑰𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎° answer
𝑎 + 𝑏 = 120
𝑎 = 𝑅 cos 30 − 𝑅 cos 50
𝑏 = 𝑅 − 𝑅 cos 50
(𝑅 cos 30 − 𝑅 cos 50) + (𝑅 − 𝑅 cos 50) = 120
22
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 1 = 𝑅𝐼1 𝑥 180
206.736(20°)𝜋
𝐿𝑐 1 = 180°
𝐿𝑐 1 = 72.164 𝑚
𝜋
𝐿𝑐 2 = 𝑅𝐼2 𝑥 180
206.736(50°)𝜋
𝐿𝑐 2 = 180°
𝐿𝑐 2 = 180.411 𝑚
23