De La Salle University

Department of Civil Engineering

HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY (LBYCV2A)

FIELDWORK EXERCISE NO. 2

COMPUTATIONAL EXERCISE NO. 4
LAYING OUT A COMPOUND CURVE

BACKGROUND:

The use of compound curves on roadway centerline is recommended only in special circumstances to meet field
conditions (e.g., to avoid obstructions that cannot be relocated) where a simple curve cannot meet this need. A
compound curve is composed of two simple curves adjoining each other.

When a compound curve is used on centerline, the radius of the flatter circular arc (R1) should not be more than
50% greater than the radius of the sharper circular arc (R2). In other words, R1 ≤ 1.5 R2.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To be able to compute the parts of a compound curve by chord-deflection method.

2. To be able to lay out a compound curve through a location of points on the curve by chord distance-
deflection angle method.
INSTRUMENTS

• 1 set marking pins (with colored ribbons tied on the ring)

• 1 set total station with tripod (and triangle, if needed)
• 2 pcs range poles with prism
• 1 pc 50-m measuring tape

SURVEY SITE

Cory Aquino Democratic Space (Henry Sy, Sr. Hall Grounds) / One Mission Park

GIVEN DATA

COMPEX FIELDEX
(Individual) (Group)
Stake out full station (20 m) every quarter of a full station (5 m)
Radius of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑅1 2𝑿𝑿. 000 𝑚 46 𝑚 𝑡𝑜 49 𝑚*
Radius of the Simple Curve 2, 𝑅2 2𝑿𝑿. 000 𝑚 46 𝑚 𝑡𝑜 49 𝑚*
Tangent Distance of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑡1 5𝑿 𝑚 10 𝑚 𝑡𝑜 11 𝑚 *
Angle of Intersection of Compound Curve, 𝐼 5𝑿° 52° 𝑡𝑜 53°*
Station of PI 1 + 𝑿1𝑿. 000 1 + 𝒀1𝒀. 000

Note: X values will be determined by the professor based on your ID Number 120ABCDE
Y values and values with * will be assigned by the professor randomly

PROCEDURE:

1. The professor will provide the given for each member.

2. Compute the elements of simple curve needed to define the circular curve to be laid out such as
the degree of curve, tangent distance, among others.
3. Compute the deflection angle and chord length from PC for every station and tabulate the values
as follows:

Deflection
Station Point Angle from PC Chord Length Remarks
Angle
Point of
0 + 012.070 𝑃𝐶 0 0 0
Curvature
𝜃11 𝜃11
0 + 020.000 𝑃𝑂𝐶1 𝜃11 2𝑅1 sin ( ) 1st Station
2 2
𝜃11 + 𝐷1 𝜃11 + 𝐷1
0 + 040.000 𝑃𝑂𝐶2 𝜃11 + 𝐷1 2𝑅1 sin ( ) 2nd Station
2 2
𝜃11 + 𝐷1 + 𝜃12 𝜃11 + 𝐷1 + 𝜃12 Point of
0 + 047.000 𝑃𝐶𝐶 𝜃11 + 𝐷1 + 𝜃12 2𝑅1 sin ( )
2 2 Compound Curve
𝜃21 𝜃21
0 + 060.000 𝑃𝑂𝐶3 𝜃21 2𝑅2 sin ( ) 3rd Station
2 2
𝜃21 + 𝐷2 𝜃21 + 𝐷2
0 + 080.000 𝑃𝑂𝐶4 𝜃21 + 𝐷2 2𝑅2 sin ( ) 4th Station
2 2
𝜃21 + 𝐷2 + 𝜃22 𝜃21 + 𝐷2 + 𝜃22 Point of
0 + 083.780 𝑃𝑇 𝜃21 + 𝐷2 + 𝜃22 2𝑅2 sin ( )
2 2 Tangency

4. Have your computation be checked by your professor. The professor will then assign the
computed data to be laid out.
5. Define a point (PI) in the field by staking out a flag.
6. Set up and level the instrument at the designated vertex or point of intersection (PI).
7. Establish the point of curvature (PC) on the ground by laying out the computed tangent distance
(T) using the steel tape.
8. Set the Vernier to zero and sight the PC. Measure the angle (180° − 𝐼) from the back tangent.
9. Through the line of sight of the instrument, establish the point of tangency (PT) of the forward
tangent by laying out the tangent distance.
10. Transfer the instrument to PC. Set the vernier to zero and sight on PI. Keeping the horizontal
circle clamped, set off the deflection angle of the first station on the vernier.
11. Establish the first station by laying out the first sub-chord distance from the PC. Stake out the
point with a flag.
12. Set the vernier to read the second deflection angle (still with instrument at PC). The second
chord distance is laid off from the PC. Stake out the point with a flag.
13. The intersection of the line of sight of the telescope and the end of the tape (chord distance)
defines the second station. Stake out the point.
14. The procedure is repeated up to the point of compound curve (PCC).
15. Transfer the instrument to PCC. Set the vernier to zero and sight on V1 with inverted telescope.
Keeping the horizontal circle clamped and with normal position of the telescope, set off the
deflection angle of the first station from PCC on the vernier.
16. Establish the first station from PCC by laying out the first sub-chord distance from the PCC.
Stake out the point with a flag.
17. Set the vernier to read the second deflection angle (still with instrument at PCC). The second
chord distance is laid off from the PCC. Stake out the point with a flag.
18. The intersection of the line of sight of the telescope and the end of the tape (chord distance)
defines the second station. Stake out the point.
19. The procedure is repeated up to the point of tangency (PT).
20. Notify your professor after the curve is laid out for checking purposes.
 De La Salle University
Department of Civil Engineering
HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY (LBYCV2A)

COMPUTATIONAL EXERCISE NO. 4

LAYING OUT A COMPOUND CURVE

Student’s Name:
Group Name:
Section:
Date Submitted:

Individual Data:
Given: Radius of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑅1 =
Radius of the Simple Curve 2, 𝑅2 =
Tangent Distance of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑡1 =
Angle of Intersection of Compound Curve, 𝐼 =
Station of PI =

Deflection
Station Point Angle from PC Chord Length Remarks
Angle

Computation:

Solve and show solution for:

Degrees of curvature, Lc’s, LC’s, T’s, t1, t2, Θ1 and Θ2, Deflection angles, Chord lengths and stationings.
PC, POC1, POC2, PCC, 2 POCs after PCC, PT
Provide Manual Illustration
 De La Salle University
Department of Civil Engineering
HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY (LBYCV2A)

FIELDWORK EXERCISE NO. 2

LAYING OUT A COMPOUND CURVE

Group Name:
Student’s Name:

Section:
Date Submitted:

Group Data:
Given: Radius of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑅1 =
Radius of the Simple Curve 2, 𝑅2 =
Tangent Distance of the Simple Curve 1, 𝑡1 =
Angle of Intersection of Compound Curve, 𝐼 =
Station of PI =

Deflection
Station Point Angle from PC Chord Length Remarks
Angle

Computation:
Solve and show solution for:
Degrees of curvature, Lc’s, LC’s, T’s, t1, t2, Θ1 and Θ2, Deflection angles, Chord lengths and stationings.
PC, POC1, POC2, PCC, 2 POCs after PCC, PT

Procedure (with photo documentation):

Illustration (using 12D):

Results and Discussion:

Analysis: (Guide Questions)
1. Did you incur error in this fieldwork? If so, what are the sources of this error?
2. Can you minimize or avoid the same error for the next fieldwork? How?

Conclusion:

Recommendation:
Remarks, Hints and Precautions: (You may include criticisms about the instruments, difficulties
encountered in the field, suggestions to improve the field procedure, etc.)