Module 6

VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
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VERTICAL CURVES

1. To link two intersecting straights (gradients) in the vertical plane in such a way
so as to provide a smooth transition and good riding qualities.

This is achieved by a constant change of gradient which simultaneously allows

for a uniform rate of increase of centrifugal force.

2. To provide adequate sighting properties such as clear visibility of oncoming

traffic at summit and adequate lighting by headlights as well as adequate
drainage of stormwater at sags etc.

SHAPE OF CURVE

Vertical curves fall into two main categories

(a) Crest or Summit Curves - highest pt. of summit curve is Hog Pt.

(b) Sag or Valley Curves - lowest pt. of valley curve is sag Pt

Most vertical curves obey the equation of the simple parabola.

y=ax2 + bx+c

which is normally used because of its simplicity and constant change of gradient.

On differentiating the above equation

gy =2ax + b which is the slope of a line at any point.

· dx

~ =2a which is the rate of change of gradient.

dx2
'a' is a -ve in the case of summit curve &
'a' is a +ve in the case of sag curve

The gradient are quoted in many ways but we use percentages normally eg 2,4%

Rise of 2,4 min 100 m & Drop of 1,4 m In 100 m.

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'a' varies between 5 x 104 to 5 x 1o-S
L > 1OG where L is the length of the vertical curve and
G = g2 - g1 which will automatically give one
the right sign of the gradient change

Symmetrical Curves

Sag or Valley
Crest or Summit

where a= -G & a=+G

200L 200 L

c =Elevation of SVC
The distance from the SVC to the highest/lowest point on the Vertical Curve is given
by the formula.

HOG/SAG POINT= Q.i_J,. eg H/S PT= 3.100 = 60 M

G 5

To understand the formula above a diagrammatic sketch is useful

l..

Hence the level (elevation) at a distance x1 from BVC is

and the level (elevation) at a distance x 2 from BVC is

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A WORKED EXAMPLE OF A VERTICAL CURVE

GIVEN: ASCENDING GRADIENT+ 2,5% ) CALCULATE THE

DESCENDING GRADIENT - 4% ) ELEVATION EVERY 20.M
LENGTH OF VERTICAL CURVE 120 M ) & THE HOG POINT
ELEVATION OF BVC 100 M ) ASSUMING THE
CHAINAGE OF BVC SOM =
SOLUTION

G = 92 --Q1 = -4- (+2%) = - 6% b = 911100 = +2,5 = +0.025

100
a= JL = ::b7083 x 10-4 c = 100 m
200L .
Elevation of P.I. = 100 + 2.5 x 60
100 =101.5m

Elevation of EVC = 101,5 -.A. x 60

100 = 99.1 m

Chainage of hog point = 91.I: = +2. 5 x 120 = 46. 154 m from BVC
G 6,5

= 126.154 m

a x2 b x c
Level of hog point= -0,00027083(46,154) + 0,025x46,154 + 100
= 100,577 m
TABULATE
SKD(M) x ax2 bx ELEV. ON CURVE 11' 11"
808VC 100,000.m
+0,392
100 20 -0, 108 +0,500 100,392 m -0,217
+0,175
120 40 -0,433 +1,000 100,567 m -0,217

126.154 46,154 -0,577 +1,154 100,577 m -0,042

140 60 -0,975 +1,500 100,525 m -0,216

-0,258
160 80 -1,733 +2,000 100,267 m -0,217
-0,475
180 100 -2,708 +2,500 99,792 m -0,217
-0,692
200EC 120 -3,900 +3,000 99,100 m
Checks
SKETCH

y=ax2 +bx+c
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TUTORIAL

SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVES

QUESTION 1

The figure below shows a 200 m symmetrical vertical curve. Calculate heights on the
curve every 20 m BVC to EVC. Calculate the distance from the BVC to the lowest
point on the curve and its elevation.
- - - - -------------

QUESTION 2

An uphill gradient of 1 in 100 meets a downhill gradient of 0,85 in 100 at a point

where the chainage is 122,880 m and the reduced level is 126.00 m. If the rate of
change of gradient is to be 1. 18 x 10-4, prepare a table for setting out the curve at
intervals of 20 m.

QUESTION 3

A falling gradient of 4% meets a rising gradient of 5% at chainage 490.00 m and level

43,284 m. At chainage 470.00 m, the underside of a bridge has a level of 49, 108 m.
The two gradients are·to be joined .by a vertical parabolic curves giving 4.800 m
clearance under the bridge: List the levels at 20 m interval. ·

QUESTION4

On a straight portion of a new road, an uphill gradient of 1/100 was connected to a

downhill gradient 1/150 by a vertical parabolic summit curve of length 100 m. A point
P, at chainage 820,04 m on the first gradient, was found to have a reduced level of
9,024 m and at a point Q, at chainage 1000,04 m on the 2nd gradient the level was
8,990 m. -

a) Find the chainages and reduced levels of the tangent pts on the curve.

b) Tabulate the reduced levels on the curve at intervals of 20 m and at the

highest point
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Design Criteria

The length of the vertical curve is normally governed by Design Criteria such as

i) Rate of change of gradients '2a'

ii} Geometric Design Speed eg 100 Kms
iii) Sight Distance
iv) Horizontal alignment, etc

i) Rate of change of gradient

2a =G/100L (=1/R where R is the minimum equivalent radius)

·The value is limited to an arbitrary rate which in practice lies between 5.0 x 10-
4 to 5.0 x 10.s

and L> 10G

Example: If 2a =-5.0 x 104 , Q1 = 3% and Q2 = 2% then

L =G/200a = -5/(200x-2,5x10-4) =100 m
ii) Centrifugal Acceleration

The design speed is usually taken at that speed not exceeded by 85% of the
vehicles using the road.

The centrifugal acceleration f =v /R

2 (where f varies from 0, 15 to 0,60 m/s2 )

Then 1/R = 2a f/v2 = =3,6 f/V2 =12,96 f/V2 where v is velocity in mis and V is
2

velocity in km/hr.

If V = 80 km/hr and f = 0,25 m/s2 then

2a =12,96 x 0,25/802=5,0625x10-4
If 91 = 3% and g2 = 2% then

L =-5/(100 x-5,0625 x 10-4) =98,77nisay100m

iii) Sight Distance

To ensure reasonable standards of comfort and appearance and to secure

appropriate visibility at summits, vertical curves should not be shorter than:-
L =KG where K is a value given from the design tables relating to
carriageway width, design speed etc. We have seen on page 602 that L>
10G. Therefore K = 10 is thus the lowest limit

Sight distances on a summit curve

For safety reasons the road visibility ahead to the driver must be greater than
the distance required by the driver to bring the vehicle to a halt.
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Stopping sight distance depends on various factors:-

1) Speed of the vehicle.

2) Braking efficiency.
3) Gradients.
4) Coefficient of friction between tyre and road.
5) Road condition.
6) Driver's reaction time -depends on ones physical and mental condition.
7) Driver's eye level above road surface. The eye level of a driver above
the road surface is generally 1, 05 m upwards.

Note: Not only stopping sight distance must be considered but also passing sight
distance. ·we will only consider the stopping sight distance in this course.

Sight distances

From : Geometric Design Manual - NPA

Design stopping sight distances on crest (summit)

Vertical curves (DSSD)

The accepted standards are:

=
Height of eye 1. 05 m
=
Height of object 0, 15 m

L =Curve length in metres

G = Algebraic grade difference - %
S - Sight distance - metres
When S>L When S<L

S =200 + 0,5L S=20 1=

G v' G

L =2S-400 1 L=S2G 2
G 400

If 400 < S, then use formula no. 2

G

Min. DSSD (Design Stopping Sight Distance) can be obtained from table below (from
GDM)
Design Speed Ckmfh) Min Sight distance (m)

50 65
60 80
70 95
80 115
90 135
100 155
120 210
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From the table above, the value for a design speed of 100 km/h= 155 m.

A quick and practical method of selecting a length of V.C. appropriate to the

design speed is to multiply G by a K-factor.

Using fonnula 2 : 155 =20 .!..

v' G

where .b = K
G

= 20 v'K

K =(155) =60
2

20
Therefore for any given or chosen OSSO (and hence design speed) the length
of the V.C. can be determined when given the approach and departure
grades.

From G.O.M.:

Design Speed K-factor Absolute Min. length

(km/h) Crest Sag (m)

120 110 50 70
100 60 36 60
90 46 31 55
80 33 25 50
70 22 19 45
60 16 14 40
50 11 10 35
40 4 6 30

EXAMPLE : Design speed =100 km/h

91 = +4% 92 = -3% G = -7%

L = GK= 7 x 60 = 420 m
From table

Additional Reading : Design Passing Sight Distance

Headlight sight distance

See Design manuals

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Valley Curves

The following criteria may determine the minimum curve length in the case of
sag/valley curves.

1. Headlight sight distance

The headlights are usually assumed to be 0,6 m above road level and the light
beam has an upward angle of 1%.

2. Driving comfort

The comfort effect of change of vertical direction are more pronounced in sag
·curves than summit curves because gravitational and centrifugal force are
supplementing each other in the case of valley curves.

3. Drainage Control

This may be the dictating factor in the case of sag curves passing through
cuttings.

4. Sight Distance at Underpass

Gradients

Most passenger cars are capable of ascending a long gradient of 7% at a constant

· speed of 80 km/hr (in G.D.M.)

The following gradients are recommended in South Africa:

Design Speed km/hr Maximum Grades

Desirable Absolute Max
60 5% 8%
80 4% 6%
100 3% 5%
120 3% 4%

On national roads a climbing lane is desirable on a gradient of more than 4% over a

distance of 750 m.

A minimum gradient is only considered when it is necessary to provide a longitudinal

drainage facility like is the case of kerbed pavement and through cuttings.

Unsymmetrical Vertical Curves

The tangent lengths 11 and 12 are unequal in the case of an unsymmetrical vertical
curve. Basically an unsymmetrical vertical curve is a compound curve made up of 2
symmetrical curves.
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Example: L = 160 m, 11=100m12 = 60 m
g1 = +5,4%, g2 = -6,5%
Red. Lev (T1) = 60,0 m & (T~) = 61,50 m
Calculate levels every 20 m

'IOOTYI 60rn

160m

Level oft1 =Lev. ofT1+5,4x50/100

= 60,0 + 2,7
=62.7m
Level of PVI =Lev. of t1 + 5,4 x 50/100
=62,7 + 2,7
= 65.40 m

Level of t2 =Lev. of T2 + 6,5 x 30/100

= 61.50 + 1,95
=63.45 m

=
Level of PVI Lev. of t2 + 6,5 x 30/100
= 63,45 + 1,95
= 65.40 m (checks)
Gradient of t1 -t2 =(63,45- 62,7)/80*100 =+0.9375%
Lev. of T =Lev t1 + 0,9375 (50)/100 Check from t2
=62,7 + 0,469 =63,45 - 0,281
= 63.169 m =63.169 m

Rate of change of grade

Curve T1T -2a = G/100L Curve TT2 2a = G/100L

=-4,4625 x 10-4 = -12,39583x10-4
a =2.23125x10-4 =
a -6.197917x10-4
G = +O, 9375 - 5,4 = -4,4625 G = -6 5 - 0 9375 = -7 4375
1 . ' ,

b =+0,054 b = +0,009375
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c=60.00m c =63.169 m
Chainage of hog pt. = T + t1t2.b
G -
= 100 + 0,9375 (60)/7,4375
= 107.563 m
Lev. of hog pt.= ax2 +bx+ c
= -6, 197917x104 x(7,563)2 + 0.9375x(7,563) + 63, 169
100
= 63 205 m
PT SKD x LEVON ax2 LEVON 11' 11"
TANGENT CURVE
T1 0.00 60.00
P1 20.00 20 61.08 -0.089 60.991
0.812
P2 40.00 40 62.16 -0.357 61.803 0.178
0.634
P3 60.00 60 63.24 -0.803 62.437 0.179
0.455
P4 80.00 80 64.32 -1 .428 62.892 0.178
0.277
T 100.00 100 65.40 -2.231 63.169 0.337

HP 107.563 7.563 63.24 -0.035 63.205 0.060

0.497
PS 120.00 20 63.357 -0.248 63.109
-0.557
P6 140.00 40 63.544 -0.992 62.552 0.494
-1.051
T2 160.00 60 63.732 -2.231 61.501
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Tutorial Unsymmetrical V.C.

QUESTION 1 ( Reverse Compound Vertical Curve)

Reverse curve g1 = -3% g2 = -2% L 400 m=

=
ave R.L. 100 m EVC R.L. = 98 m

- .-~
------··-··-- ·- - -·

CH (BVC) =O Chainage interval =40 m

Calculate reduced levels of curve as well as hog and sag points

QUESTION2

JUNE 1986(2) No tb Unsymmetrical V. C.

Two vertical straights with gradients of +3.4% and - 1.8% respectively intersect at
a stake value 652,40m at a height of 146,24m. The two straights are to be
connected by an unsymmetrical summit curve with a length L1 = 80m and length L2
= 120m.

Calculate the formation levels for 20m continuous pegs on the curve. Also calculate
the position and height of the highest point on the curve.

QUESTION3

The following details are known

=
L 1 120 m L2 = 160 m
=
91 -4.8% 92 = +2.25%
SKD PJ = 1426 14
'
Ht. Pl= 300m

Calcufate heights on the curve on continuous chainages of 20 m from the BVC to

the lowest point on the curve.