SURVEYING

& LEVELLING

Lecture # 6
Prepared by:
M Bilal Zahid
Lecturer,
Civil Engineering Dept.
 SETTING OUT OF SIMPLE CIRCULAR
CURVE
 Simple circular curves can be set up by any of the
following methods:

 Offsets method (Chain and Tape Method)

 Deflection angle method or Rankine’s Method

(Instrumental Method)

 These methods are used for setting up simple circular

curves by using tape and chain or theodolite
OFFSETS METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Let AB and BC be two tangents meeting at point B, with a
deflection angle Φ, the following method is used for
setting out the curve:
OFFSETS METHOD - PROCEDURE

 The tangent length is calculated by;

𝑻𝑳 = 𝑹 𝐭𝐚𝐧 Φൗ𝟐

 Tangent points T1 and T2 are marked

 The length of the curve is calculated by;
𝝅RΦ°
𝑪𝑳 = (𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔)
𝟏𝟖𝟎°
 The chainage of T1 and T2 are found out

 The length of the long chord is calculated by;

𝑳 = 𝟐𝑹 𝐬𝐢𝐧 Φൗ𝟐
 OFFSETS METHOD - PROCEDURE
 The long chord is divided into two halves (i.e., the left half
and the right half). Here the curve is symmetrical in both
halves
 The mid-ordinate Oо is calculated by;
a) Oо = DE = versed sine of curve = R(1-cos Φ /2) (1)
b) Again, OE = R and OD = R - Oо

𝟐
𝑶𝒐 = 𝑹 − 𝑹𝟐 − 𝑳ൗ𝟐 (2)
OFFSETS METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Considering the left half of the long chord, the ordinates
O1, O2, …. are calculated at distances X1, X2, … taken from
D towards the tangent point T1.

 The formula for the calculation of ordinates is deduced

as follows:
OFFSETS METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Let P be a point at a distance x from D on line T1T2, Such
that PP1 = Ox which is the required ordinate. A line P1P2 is
drawn parallel to T1T2. From Triangle OP1P2.

(3)

 The ordinates for the right half

are similar to those obtained for
the left half
 DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD or RANKINE’S
METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Let’s consider following figure, such that AB and BC are
two tangents intersecting at point B.

 The tangent length and the curve lengths are calculated,

and the points T1 and T2 are fixed
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD - PROCEDURE
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD - PROCEDURE
 The lengths of the initial and final sub-chords, and the
number of full chords are decided

 The deflection angles for the chords are calculated and

verified by arithmetical check

 A setting out table is prepared, depending upon the least

count of the theodolite

 For setting the curve, only the angles from the “angle to
be set” column should be taken

 The theodolite at T1 is centered and properly levelled.

Then the vertical angle is set to 0𝑜
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Then the (vertical) upper clamp is fixed. The (horizontal)
lower clamp is released and the ranging rod at point B is
perfectly bisected with the help of the (horizontal slow
motion) lower tangent screw. Then horizontal angle is set
to 0𝑜

 The upper clamp is released and the first deflection

angle (𝛿1) is set on the display. The telescope is directed
along the line T1E

 Now, the zero end of the tape is held at T1 and the

distance T1P1 is measured equal to the length of the
initial sub-chord in such a way that the ranging rod at P1
is also bisected by the telescope
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD - PROCEDURE
 Then, the telescope is lowered to mark the base of the
ranging rod perfectly. So, P1 is a point on the curve which
is marked by nail or arrow.

 The next deflection angle (𝛿2) is

set on display and the point P2
is so marked that P1P2 is equal
to the length of a full chord,
and the ranging rod at P2 is
perfectly bisected by the
telescope. So, P2 is the next
point on the curve
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD - PROCEDURE
 The process is repeated until all deflection angles are
set out and all points on curve are marked

 Finally, the last point should coincide with T2

 If it does not the amount of error is found out. If it is

small, it is distributed among last few pegs, if large
whole procedure is repeated again

 Finally, all the points P1, P2, P3, … are marked by stout
pegs.
CONCLUDED