Curves

Angle of Intersection
• Curves are provided
for gradual change in
direction in road, rail
& canal alignment.
• Provided due to
– Nature of terrain
– Break the monotony
in driving to avoid
accidents (in straight
alignments)
• Angle of the change
in direction –
deflection angle
 Degree of Curve
• Degree of Curve: Angle
subtended at the centre of
the curve by a chord of
30m length.
• Curves designation:
– Degree of curve
• Eg. One-degree curve
– Radius of curve
 Curves: Radius & Degree of Curve
AB – Chord of 30 m
O – Centre
OA or OB = R (radius of
the circle)
D – Degree of curve
AC = 15 m
Angle AOC = D/2
Sin(D/2) can be taken as D/2
From Triangle OAC radians (when D is very small)
Sin(D/2) = AC/OA=15/R
 Curves: Types
• Horizontal Curves
– Simple Curves
– Compound Curves
– Reverse Curves
– Transition Curves
– Lemniscate Curves
• Vertical Curves
– Summit Curves
– Valley Curves
 Curves: Horizontal Curve
• Simple Curve
– Curve consists of a single
arc with constant radius
connecting the two
tangents.
• Compound Curve
– Curve consist of 2 or more
arcs with different radii
– Lies on the same side of a
common tangent
– Centres of different arcs lie
on the same side
 Curves: Horizontal Curve
• Reverse Curve
– Two arc bending in opposite directions.
– Centres lie on opposite sides of the curve
– Radii can be equal or different
– Have one common tangent
 Curves: Horizontal Curve
• Transition Curve (or spiral curve or easement
curve)
– Curve of variable radius.
– Provided on both sides of a circular curve
 Curves: Superelevation
– When a vehicle moves in a circular path,
centrifugal force acts on it and tends to push
away from the road
– When a vehicle enters from a straight to curved
path, centrifugal force tends to push the vehicle
away from the road
– No force component to counter balance the
centrifugal force
 Horizontal Curve Setting
• AB & BC meeting
at B, with a
deflection angle ɸ
(initially known
measurements)
1. Tangent lengths
(T1B & T2B)
=R tan(ɸ/2)
2. Mark T1 & T2
 Horizontal Curve Setting
3. Length of curve
(T1ET2)
= πRɸo/180
4. Length of long chord
(T1T2)
= 2R sin(ɸ/2)
5. Length of mid-ordinate
(Oo)
= R[1-cos(ɸ/2)]
6.
 Horizontal Curve Setting - Example
Two tangents AB & BC intersect at point B at
chainage 150.5 m.
Calculate the necessary measurements for setting
out a circular curve of 100 m radius and deflection
angle 30o.
 Compound Curve
• Using one circular curve, it is not possible to
connect two tangents.
• Set out two curves of different radii to
connect the rear and forward tangents
• Take a suitable common tangent
 Compound Curve
AB - Rear tangent
BC – Forward tangent
DE – Common tangent
ɸ - deflection angle b/w
rear and forward tangent
ɸ1 & ɸ 2 ?
O1 – Centre of short circle
Rs – Radius of short circle
T1 & T2 – tangent points
for short curve
Ts – total tangent length of
short side
ts – tangent length of short
curve
 Compound Curve
1. ɸ = ɸ1 + ɸ2
2. Ts = BD+DT1
=DExsin (ɸ2/ ɸ)

+Rs tan (ɸ1/2)

3. TL
4. Common tangent
=ts+tL
5.Curve length
=πRsɸ1o/180
 Compound Curve - Example
Two tangents AB and BC
intersect at B.
Angle ADE = 150o &
Angle DEC = 140o
Radius of 1st curve = 200 m
Radius of 2nd curve = 300 m
Chainage of B = 950 m
Calculate the necessary
data for setting out the
compound curve
 Reverse Curve
Two circular arcs of same or different radii turning in
opposite direction (with a common tangent)
Used to connect
two parallel roads / railway lines
when two roads intersect at a very small angle
To the extend possible – avoid reverse curve
superelevation cannot be provided at reverse
curvature (junction point)
Properties of Simple Circular Curve
– Angle of intersection I
– Angle of Deflection ɸ = 180-I
– R = 1719/D
B
– Length of Curve (T1ET2) ɸ
I
=Rɸ (ɸ in radians)
E

T1 ɸ/2 D T2

R ɸ/2 ɸ/2
R

O
C
A