Methodology/ Horizontal Alignment – Week 3 15 October 2014

Horizontal Curve Methodology

1. Calculation of Minimum radius of circular arc

For the desirable maximum superelevation and design speed given, calculate the
minimum radius for the circular arc R using the following equation:

and

Where:
V= Design Speed (km∙h-1)
R= Radius of Curve (m).
e= Maximum Superelevation within the circular ark (%)1

In rural areas superelevation shall not exceed 7%. In urban areas with at-grade
junctions and side accesses, superelevation shall be limited to 5%.

2. Calculation of Transition Curve Length

Calculate the length of Transition Curve using the following equation

L= Length of transition (m)

V= Design Speed (kph)
R= Radius of curve (m) (calculated from step 1)
C= Rate of increase of centripetal acceleration (m/sec travelling along curve at
constant speed V (kph).

The value of C should be within the range 0.3 – 0.6. A value above 0.6 can result in

instability in the vehicle while values less than 0.3 will lead to excessively long

transition curves leading to general geometric difficulties. The design process usually

1
Remember that the minimum radius of the circular ark depends on the maximum superelevation.
When possible use the minimum possible superelevation such as to produce horizontal layout with the
maximum possible radius for the circular ark. This increases the safety and appearance aspects of the
highway.

Dr Konstantinos Poutos – Highway Design and Construction Page 1

Methodology/ Horizontal Alignment – Week 3 15 October 2014

commences with an initial value of 0.3 being utilised, with this value being increased

gradually if necessary towards its upper ceiling.

Check:

, for reasons concerning the aesthetics of the highway

, for reasons concerning the aesthetics of the highway

L< , for reasons concerning the aesthetics of the highway

3. Calculation of Shift of the Transition Curve

With the Radius and Length calculated the shift of the transition curve can be
calculated using the following equation:

Where S is the shift of the curve.

L= Length of transition (m)

R= Radius of curve (m)

4. Set out Horizontal alignment – Layout and the Geometry of the Curve
With all the values of the required parameters calculated the Horizontal alignment
can set out on the map using the following equations:

Α1Κ1 =

Κ1Ε1 =

Κ1Δ1 =

Α1Δ1 Α’1 =

Ω1Ω1’ = Α1Δ1 Α’1 – 2S

λ1 = ,

Where

Dr Konstantinos Poutos – Highway Design and Construction Page 2

Methodology/ Horizontal Alignment – Week 3 15 October 2014

q0: Is the standard value of the highways superelevation (2%)

qmax: Is the maximum superelevation
and
(Ι) =

(ΙΙ) = 100*

(ΙΙΙ)

(ΙV) =

(V) = ,

(VI) =AE + (IV)

Where AE= L/2

Where b is the angle between the two straight lines, Figure 4.

K1

Figure 4 – Layout of horizontal alignment

5. Calculation of Coordinates of Clothoid

Finally the coordinates of the clothoid can be calculated using the following
equation:

Dr Konstantinos Poutos – Highway Design and Construction Page 3

Methodology/ Horizontal Alignment – Week 3 15 October 2014

Dr Konstantinos Poutos – Highway Design and Construction Page 4