Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design

Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year

Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 1:
In a section of two-lane rural highway, two grades (+ 6 %) and (- 3 %) are joined at station
with elevation = 100 m by a symmetrical vertical curve. The elevation of the highest point on
it = 75 m, if the design speed = 60 Kph in which it is required passing sight distance not less
than 450 m. check the safety of passing on this section.
Solution:
− 𝐺1
𝑋𝑡 = 𝑟
−6
𝑋𝑡 = 𝑟
𝐺2 −𝐺1
𝑟= 𝐿
−3 −6 −9
𝑟= =
𝐿 𝐿
−6 2
𝑋𝑡 = −9 = L
3
𝐿
1
Elevation of Xt = elev. Of PVC + G1 xt − 2 r xt2
𝐿 2 1 9 2
75 = (100 – 6 × 2 ) + 6 × 3 L − 2 × 𝐿 × ( 3 L)2
75 = 100 – 3 L + 4 L – 2 L
L = 25 station = 2500 m
𝐴𝐿 9 × 25
H1 = 1.07 m < e = = = 28.125 m
8 8

∴S<L
𝐴 𝑆2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 200 (√𝐻1 +√𝐻2 )2

9 × 𝑆2
2500 = 200 (√1.07+√1.07 )2

S = 487.6 m > 450 m O. K Safe section

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 2:
At a certain section in rural divided highway a (+ 2 %) grade meets a (- 8 %) at a point with
an elevation of 50 m. the symmetrical parabolic curve joining the two grades provides a safe
driving speed of 120 Kph. Determine the elevation of the highest point on the pavement
surface within this section. (Assume f = 0.28).
Solution:
V2
S=0.278 V t+ 254 (f ± G)

1202
S=0.278× 120× 2.5 + = 366.86 m
254 (0.28 − 0.08)

A = |−8 − 2|= 10
Assume S < L
𝐴 𝑆2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 200 (√𝐻1 +√𝐻2 )2

10 × 366.862
= 200 (√1.07+√0.6 )2 = 2056 m ≈ 20 stations
𝐴𝐿 10 × 20
For checking e = = = 25 m
8 8

H1 = 1.07 m < 25 m O. K
− 𝐺1
𝑋𝑡 = 𝑟
𝐺2 −𝐺1 −8 −2
𝑟= = = − 0.5
𝐿 20
−2
𝑋𝑡 = − 0.5 = 4 stations
1
Elevation of Xt = elev. Of PVC + G1 xt − 2 r xt2
2 ×20 1
= (50 − ) + 2 × 4 − 2 × 0.5 × (4)2 = 34 m
2

58
 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 3:
A crest vertical curve is to be designed to join a (+3 %) grade with a (-2 %) grade at a section
of a two-lane highway. Determine the minimum length of the curve if the design speed of the
highway is 100 Kph, S < L, and a perception-reaction time of 2.5 sec. (Assume f = 0.29).
Solution:
𝑉2
𝑆 = 0.278 𝑉 𝑡 + 254 (𝑓 ± 𝐺)

1002
𝑆 = 0.278 × 100 × 2.5 + = 220.9 m
254 (0.29 − 0.03)

𝐴 𝑆2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 200 (√𝐻1 +√𝐻2 )2

5× 220.92
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 372.8 m
200 (√1.07+√0.6 )2

***********************
Example 4:
A sag vertical curve is to be designed to join a (-5 %) grade to a (+2 %) grade. If the design
speed is 65 Kph, determine the minimum length of the curve that will satisfy all criteria.
(Assume f = 0.32 and perception reaction time = 2.5 sec.).
Solution:
𝑉2
𝑆 = 0.278 𝑉 𝑡 + 254 (𝑓 ± 𝐺)

652
𝑆 = 0.278 × 65 × 2.5 + = 106.8 m
254 (0.32 − 0.05)

• Determine whether S < L or S > L for the headlight sight distance criterion.

For S > L
(120+3.5 𝑆 )
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2 𝑆 − 𝐴
(120+3.5 ×106.8 )
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2 × 106.8 − = 143.1 m
7
This condition is not appropriate since 106.8 < 143.1
∴S<L
𝐴 𝑆2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = (120+3.5 𝑆 )
7 × 106.82
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 161.7 m
(120+3.5 × 106.8 )

59
 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

This condition is satisfied since 106.8 < 161.7

• Determine minimum length for the comfort criterion.

𝐴 𝑉2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 395
7 × 652
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 74.9 m
395

• Determine minimum length for the general appearance criterion.

Lmin. = 30 A = 30 × 7 = 210 m

• Determine the sag length for drainage criterion.

Lmax. = 51 A = 51 × 7 = 357 m
The minimum length to satisfy all criteria is 210 m.

Example 5:
A crest vertical curve joining a (+3 %) and (– 4 %) grade. If the length of curve is 2170 m
and the tangents intersect at a station 345+60 at an elevation of 250 m. determine the stations
and elevations of PVC and PVT. Also, calculate the elevations of intermediate points on the
curve at each station and find the station and elevation of the higher point on the curve.
Solution:
𝐿
Station of PVC = Station of PVI – 2
2170
= (345+60) – ( ) = 334+75
2
𝐿
Station of PVT = Station of PVI + 2
2170
= (345+60) + ( ) = 356+45
2
2170
Elevation of PVC = 250 – (0.03 × ) = 217.45 m
2
2170
Elevation of PVT = 250 – (0.04 × ) = 206.60 m
2
𝐺2 −𝐺1 −0.04 −0.03
𝑟= = = −322.580645 × 10-3
𝐿 2170

60
 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

1
Yx = elevation of PVC + G1 x − r x2
2
−𝐺1 −3
Xt = = = 9.3 station = 930 m
𝑟 −322.580645 × 10−3

Therefore, the elevation of the higher point on the vertical curve = 231.40 m.

Distance from 𝟏 Curve

Station r x2 G1 × x
𝟐
PVC (x) (station) Elevation
PVC 334+75 0 0 0 217.45
335+00 0.25 -0.010 0.75 218.19
336+00 1.25 -0.252 3.75 220.95
337+00 2.25 -0.817 6.75 223.38
338+00 3.25 -1.704 9.75 225.50
339+00 4.25 -2.913 12.75 227.29
340+00 5.25 -4.446 15.75 228.75
341+00 6.25 -6.3004 18.75 229.90
342+00 7.25 -8.478 21.75 230.72
343+00 8.25 -10.978 24.75 231.22
344+00 9.25 -13.800 27.75 231.40
345+00 10.25 -16.946 30.75 231.25
346+00 11.25 -20.413 33.75 230.79
347+00 12.25 -24.204 36.75 230.00
348+00 13.25 -28.316 39.75 228.88
349+00 14.25 -32.752 42.75 227.45
350+00 15.25 -37.510 45.75 225.69
351+00 16.25 -42.591 48.75 223.61
352+00 17.25 -47.994 51.75 221.21
353+00 18.25 -53.719 54.75 218.48
354+00 19.25 -59.768 57.75 215.43
355+00 20.25 -66.139 60.75 212.06
356+00 21.25 -72.833 63.75 208.37
PVT 356+45.00 21.70 -75.950 65.1 206.60

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Sight Distance at Undercrossing

Sight distance on the highway through a grade separation should be at least as long as the
minimum stopping sight distance and preferably longer. Design of the vertical alignment is
the same as at any other point on the highway except in some cases of sag vertical curves
under passing a structure illustrated in figure below. It is generally practical to provide the
minimum length of sag vertical curve at grade separation structures.

When S ≤ L
𝑨 𝑺𝟐
𝑳𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝒉 +𝒉
𝟖𝟎𝟎 [𝑪− ( 𝟏 𝟐 )]
𝟐

When S > L
𝒉 +𝒉
𝟖𝟎𝟎 [𝑪− ( 𝟏 𝟐 )]
𝟐
𝐋𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟐 𝐒 − 𝐀

62
 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Where:
L = length of vertical curve, (m)
S = sight distance, (m)
A = algebraic difference in grades, (%)
C = vertical clearance, (m), if not given use (C = 5.2 m)
h1 = height of eye, (= 2.4 m for trucks)
h2 = height of object, (= 0.6 m for trucks)

Example 1:
Determine the minimum length of curve required to connect a descending 4% grade to an
ascending 3% grade. The vertical clearance should be 5.1 m and the required sight distance is
300 m. The height of eye for a commercial vehicle is 1.83 m and the hazardous object is 0.46
m above the pavement surface.

Solution:
Assume S < L
𝐴 𝑆2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = ℎ +ℎ
800 [𝐶− ( 1 2)]
2

A=7
7× 3002
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1.83 + 0.46 = 199.12 m O.K. S < L
800 [5.1− ( 2
)]

63