ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CEng: 3182 - Highway ENGINEERING-I FINAL EXAM

PART ONE (ESSAY):- 3 Marks each

1. Why are roads super-elevated around horizontal curves? What factors control the
maximum and minimum values of super-elevation to be applied? (5Mark)
2. Why are roads provided with extra widening around horizontal curves? (5Mark)
3. What problems occur when we provide too short or too long straight roads (tangents) in
horizontal alignment? Explain both cases. (5Mark)
4. If a sag vertical curve overlaps both ends of a horizontal curve, do you consider the
situation as mis-phasing? If so, what corrective measure(s) do you recommend? (5Mark)
5. How does the terrain type of the area around our road affect our choice of maximum
gradient? Do you recommend higher design gradients for flat terrain or for escarpment
terrain? (5Mark)

PART-II (CALCULATION)

1. A highway alignment deflected to right at 30˚00’00’’ at station 4+350. Due to

limitation of right of way, 6 percent down grade road alignment changed its direction
to 4 percent up grade at PI station and the external distance is limited to 8m.
Assume, the curve was designed with a super elevation of 8%, side friction factor of
0.12, and longitudinal friction of 0.35 respectively for the highway alignment.
Determine a) the station of PC and PT? b) Mid-ordinate c) Curve length d) Chord
length e)Stopping sight distance f) Minimum distance that should cleared from
center of curve two lane having 3.5m each width. Assume the perception reaction
time is 2.5 sec. (15 Marks)

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 2. The following tabulated earthwork data was collected from 1.5km road segment.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 1
1 5
Cut Vol. 0 1. 0. 0. 1 1. 2 1. 0.
3 3
(10 m ) 5 5 6 5 8 5
3 3
Fill Vol(10 m ) 0. 2. 1. 0. 0. 0. 1
9 5 2 8 5 5

Additional information regarding cost estimation

 FHD=200m 1 station =100m Shrinkage factor=0.9

I. Discuss at least three characteristic of mass haul diagram. (3Mark)

II. Sketch mass haul diagram. (3Mark)

III. Indicate cut sections, fill section.(4mark)

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