HIGHWAY

ENGINEERING
GROUP #10
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS & CAMBER
ROADS

■ ROADS
It is a way or path over which cyclists, vehicles & pedestrians can pass lawfully. It is also
the medium for transportation within a country.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

■ Cross Section of Road

It is a graphical representation of existing construction or work to be done within the
stations limit of a roadway.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Carriage Way
It is the width of pavement way of the road. It is also know as Pavement Width.
No. Classification of Road Typical Width
1 Single Lane 3.75 m
2 Two Lanes (w/o raised kerbs) 7.00 m
3 Two Lanes (w/ raised kerbs) 7.50 m
4 Multi-Lane Pavement 3.50 m per lane
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Formation Width
It is the top of width of the highway embankment not including the side drains.
No. Classification of Road Plain/Rolling Terrain Mountainous Terrain
1 National/State Highway SL: 12.00 m SL: 6.25 m
TL: 12.00 m TL: 8.80 m
2 Major District Roads SL: 9.00 m SL: 4.75 m
TL: 9.00 m -
3 Other District Roads SL: 7.50 m SL: 4.75 m
TL: 9.00 m -
4 Village Roads SL: 7.5 m SL: 4.00 m
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Right of Way
It is the land used for the road, along its path/alignment. It is also the distance between the
boundary stones on either side of the road

■ Road Shoulders
Is provided along the road edge to serve as an emergency land for vehicles to stop. Typical
width of shoulders can be around 2.5 m for highways.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Side Slope
It is the slope of earthwork for cutting or filling. It helps in stability
- For Filling
Typically, 1:2
- For Cutting
Type of soil Slope
Regular Soil 1:1 to 1:2
Broken Rock 1:1/2 to 1:1/4
Soft Rock 1:1/4 to 1:1/8
Hard Rock Approximately Perpendicular
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Berm
It is the distance between the road toe and the inner edge of the borrow pit. It also prevents
the erosion of the embankment soil.

■ Boundary Stone
It is the indicator of the boundary of land for the road. These stones are driven in to the
ground a set distance on both sides from the center line of the road.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Side Drain
It is the drainage for rainwater. These drains are on both sides of the road. A must for the
road in cutting, however for embankment it is not necessary.

■ Building Line
It is the distance from the center line of the road to either sides, in which buildings are not
permitted to be constructed upon.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Control Line
It is a indication of a line for expected disturbance to traffic such as hospitals, commercial
and recreational zones due to pedestrians.

■ Spoil Bank
It is the banks constructed from the excess excavated earth on the sides of the road from
cutting parallel to its alignment. Also the soil from the spoil banks can be used for the
repairs for the shoulder if need be.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Borrow Pits
It is a pit dug along the road alignment, the excavated earth is used for the construction of
embankment. Additionally, a small portion of earth is left undug to measure the depth of
excavation, it is also know as deadman.
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF ROADS

ELEMENTS OF TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

■ Kerb
It is the boundaries between the pavement and the shoulders or footpaths.
CAMBER

■ Camber
It is the cross slope provided to raise the middle of the road surface in the traverse direction to
drain off water from a road surface. But a slope too steep will erode the surface of the road so it
is advised to be mindful of the slope of the camber.

■ Objectives
- The surface protection especially for gravel and bituminous roads
- Sub-grade protection by proper drainage
- Quick drying of pavement which in turn increases safety
TYPES OF CAMBER

■ Composite Camber
It consists of two straight slopes from the edges with a parabolic or circular crown in the
center of camber. This type of camber can be easily constructed and maintained.
TYPES OF CAMBER

■ Sloped/Straight Camber
It consists of two straight slopes from the edges joining at the center of the carriageway.
This type of camber is very simple and also can be easily constructed and maintained.
TYPES OF CAMBER

■ Parabolic/Barrel Camber
It consists of a continuous curve either elliptical or parabolic. It provides a flat road surface
at the middle and steeper towards the edges. It also provides better drainage property. Such
that it is by fast moving vehicles and suggested for urban roads.
THE END