COMPOUND CURVE

- combination of two or more simple curves (for simplicity of discussion, let’s just consider two
simple curves)

PC = Point of Curvature/Deviation ; point where the first curve leaves the first tangent
PT = Point of Tangency ; point where the second curve meets the second tangent
PI = Point of Intersection of the first tangent and the second tangent
PI1 = Point of Intersection of the first tangent and the common tangent
PI2 = Point of Intersection of the common tangent and the second tangent
PCC = Point of Compound Curve ; point where the first curve and the second curve joins
I = Intersection Angle between the first tangent and the second tangent
I1 = Intersection Angle between the first tangent and the common tangent
I2 = Intersection Angle between the common tangent and the second tangent
R1 = Radius of Curvature of the first curve
R2 = Radius of Curvature of the second curve
T1 + V1 = Tangent Distance on the side of the first curve
T2 + V2 = Tangent Distance on the side of the second curve
T1 + T2 = Length of Common Tangent
Lc1 = Length of Long Chord of the first curve
Lc2 = Length of Long Chord of the second curve
Sc1 = Length of the First Curve
Sc2 = Length of the Second Curve
LL = Length of Common Long Chord
From the illustration above, additional derived formulas (RED) are the following:

FROM Δ PI1-PI-PI2 :

➢ Relationship of I, I1, and I2

Σ INTERIOR ANGLES OF TRIANGLE = 1800
Then; (From Fig.2a)
I1 + I2 + Ѳ = 1800
But: (Angle form by a straight line = 180 0)
Ѳ + I = 1800 Fig.2a
Ѳ = 1800 – I
Subst.;
I1 + I2 + (1800 – I) = 1800
I1 + I2 – I = 1800 – 1800

I = I1 + I 2

➢ Using SINE LAW (for V1 and V2):

V1 V2 T +T
= = 1 2
sin(I2 ) sin(I1 ) sin(Ѳ)

where: From Simple Curve

I
T1 = R1 sin ( 1⁄2)
I
T2 = R2 sin ( 2⁄2)
Then;
(T1 + T2 )[sin(I2 )]
V1 =
sin(Ѳ)
(T1 + T2 )[sin(I1 )]
V2 =
sin(Ѳ)

***Note: If I1 and I2 are not given or even not solvable in a certain problem,
then three (3) KEY RIGHT TRIANGLES are applicable.

FROM Δ PC-PI-PT :

➢ Using COSINE LAW (for LL):

Ѳ = 1800 – I

From; c2 = a2 + b2 – 2abcos(C)
FIG.2b:
LL2 = (T1+V1)2 + (T2+V1)2 – 2(T1+V1)(T2+V2)cos(Ѳ)

LL = √(T1 + V1 )2 + (T2 + V2 )2 − 2(T1 + V1 )(T2 + V2 )cos (1800 − I)

FIG.2b
➢ Using SINE LAW (for β and Ø):
T1 +V1 T +V L
= 2 2= L
sin(Ø) sin(β) sin(Ѳ)
Then;
(T1 + V1 )[sin(Ѳ)]
sin(Ø) =
LL
(T1+ V1 )[sin(Ѳ)] −1
Ø = sin { }
LL
(T2 + V2 )[sin(Ѳ)]
sin(β) =
LL
(T2+ V2 )[sin(Ѳ)] −1
β = sin { }
LL

Checking:
I=Ø+β
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM:

Two tangents intersect at station 2+550. A compound curve laid on their tangents has the
following data:
I1 = 310 , I2 = 360 , D1 = 30 , D2 = 50
Compute:
A] R1
B] R2
C] I
D] T1
E] T2
F] V1
G] V2
H] LL
I] Sta. PC
J] Sta. PCC
K] Sta. PT

Figure:

SOLUTION:

A] R1: B] R2:
*Since given in the problem are degree of *Since given in the problem are degree of
curvatures of each curves, using arc definition; curvatures of each curves, using arc definition;

1145.916 1145.916 1145.916 1145.916

R1 = = = 381.972 m. R2 = = = 229.1832 m.
D 30 D 50

C] I:
Using: I = I1 + I2
Substitute values:
I = 310 + 360 = 67.00
 D] T1: E] T2:
(solving each elements of two curves individually) (solving each elements of two curves individually)
*From simple curve: *From simple curve:
I1 I2
T1 = R1 tan ( ) T2 = R2 tan ( )
2 2
0 0
= 381.972 tan (31 ⁄2) = 229.1832 tan (36 ⁄2)
T1 = 105.93021 m. T2 = 74.46614 m.

F] V1:
Using:
V1 V2 T1 + T2
= =
sin(I2 ) sin(I1 ) sin(Ѳ)
where:
Ѳ = 1800 – I = 1800 – 670 = 1130
Then;
(T1 + T2 )[sin(I2 )] (180.39635)[sin(360 )]
V1 = =
sin(Ѳ) sin(1130 )
V1 = 115.19148 m.

G] V2:
Using:
V1 V2 T1 + T2
= =
sin(I2 ) sin(I1 ) sin(Ѳ)
where:
Ѳ = 1800 – I = 1800 – 670 = 1130
Then;
(T1 + T2 )[sin(I1 )] (180.39635)[sin(310 )]
V2 = =
sin(Ѳ) sin(1130 )
V2 = 100.93481 m.

H] LL:
Using Cosine Law:
LL2 = (T1+V1)2 + (T2+V1)2 – 2(T1+V1)(T2+V2)cos(Ѳ)
LL = √(T1 + V1 )2 + (T2 + V2 )2 − 2(T1 + V1 )(T2 + V2 )cos (Ѳ)

Substitute:
=√(221.12169)2 + (175.40095)2 − 2(221.12169)(175.40095)cos (1130 )
LL = 331.61615 m.

Given: sta. PI = 2 + 550

I] sta. PC:
sta. PC = sta. PI – (T1 + V1)
= 2,550 – ( 221.12169 )
sta. PC = 2,328.87831 = 2 + 328.87831

J] sta. PCC: K] sta. PT:

sta. PCC = sta. PI – (T1 + V1) + SC1 sta. PT = sta. PI – (T1 + V1) + SC1 + SC2
but; SC1 = R1 (I1r) but; SC2 = R2 (I2r)
2π 2π
= 381.972 [ 310 (3600 ) ] = 229.1832 [ 360 (3600 ) ]
SC1 = 206.66674 m. SC2 = 144.00005 m.
Then; Then;
sta. PCC = 2,550 – (221.12169) + 206.66674 sta. PCC = 2,550 – (221.12169) + 206.66674 + 144.00005
= 2,535.54506 m. = 2,679.54511 m.
sta. PCC = 2 + 535.54506 sta. PCC = 2 + 679.54511