Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Transportation Engineering

Lecture 7 - Geometric Highway Design:

Vertical Alignment

Prepared by: Dr. Abdulilah Zineddin

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curves

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Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design

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Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design

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Highways Division
 Types of Vertical Curves

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Fundamentals

y = ax2 + bx + c
assuming a constant rate of
change of slope and equal
tangent lengths.

When x = 0, y = C = elevation on curve

dy / dx = 2ax + b = slope (rise / run)

at x = 0 => slope is dy/dx = b = G1 (the initial slope)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Fundamentals

d2y/dx2 = 2a
= rate of change of slope

2a = (G2 - G1) / L a = (G2 - G1) / 2L

therefore:
yx = a x2 + G1x + Elevation at PVC

Where: L (sta.), x (sta.)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 High / Low Point on Curve

When dy/dx = 0 then

a = (G2 - G1) / 2L

therefore,
dy/dx = 2ax + b = 0

2ax + G1 = 0
then:
2ax = - G1
x = - G1L / (G2 - G1)
2(G2 - G1)(x)/2L = - G1

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Design

 Vertical Curves maximum grades depend on:

– Design Speed
– Type of Terrain
– Type of Highway
– Length of Grade

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Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Design

 Grades also affect:

– fuel consumption
– speed
– safety or crashes (speed differential)

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Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Design

Design Speed Flat / Rolling Mountainous

50 mi/hr 5% 7%
60 mi/hr 4% 6%
70 mi/hr 3% 5%

(+ 2 % for secondary / local roads)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 1

A 600 ft equal tangent sag vertical curve has the PVC

at station 170+00 and elevation 1000 ft. The initial
grade is -3.5 % and the final grade is 0.5 %.

Determine the elevation and stationing of the PVI,

PVT, and the lowest point on the curve.

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example 1 (con’t)

Solution:

Station PVI = 170+00 + 300 = 173+00

Station PVT = 170+00 + 600 = 176+00

Elev. PVI = Elev. PVC + (initial grade) * ( L / 2 )

Elev. PVI = 1000 + (- 0.035 ft/ft) (300 ft) = 989.5 ft

Elev. PVT = Elev. PVI + (final grade) * ( L / 2 )

Elev. PVT = 989.5 + (0.005 ft/ft) (300 ft) = 991.0 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example 1 (con’t)

Solution: Determining Low point on Curve

Case 1: Case 2:

If the initial and final grades are

When the initial and final grades
opposite in sign, the low point
are not opposite in sign, the low
on the curve will occur when the
point on the curve will be at the
first derivative of the parabolic
PVC or PVT
function is zero.
dx
 2ax  b  0
dy This problem is Case 1
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Example 1 (con’t)

Solution:
b = G1 = - 3.5
a = (G2 - G1) / 2L
a = [0.5 - (- 3.5)] / 2(6) = 0.3333

dx
Substituting a and b in  2ax  b  0
dy

dx
dy
= 2 (0.3333)x + (-3.5) = 0 x = 5.25 stations

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example 1 (con’t)

Solution:
Station at low point = station at PVC + x = 170+00 + (5+25)
= 175+25

To find elevation at lowest point:

yx = a x2 + bx + Elevation of PVC

y = 0.33333(5.25)2 + (-3.5)(5.25) + 1000

y = 990.81 ft
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Other Vertical Curve
Relationships
A AL AL
Y  x Ym 
2
Yf 
200 L 800 200

figure 3.4

Y = the offset at any distance, x, from the PVC (ft)

Ym = the midcurve offset (ft)
Yf = offset at the end of the vertical curve (ft)
A = the absolute value of the difference in the grades (| G 1 - G2 |) (%)
L = the length of the vertical curve (ft)
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x = theHighways
distance from the PVC (ft)
Division
 Other Vertical Curve
Relationships 2

“K” is the horizontal distance, in feet, to affect

a 1% change in the slope.

L = length of curve (ft)

K=L/A A = absolute value of difference in grades (%)

The high or low point can also be calculated by:

xhl = KG1 (where “x” is the high/low point)
xhl = distance from PVC to high/low point (ft)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design and
Stopping Sight Distance

H1 = height of driver’s eye above roadway surface (ft)

H2 = height of object above roadway surface (ft)
S = sight distance (ft)
L = length of vertical curve (ft)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design:
Sight Distance greater than length of
vertical curve: ( S > L )

Lm  2 S 
200  H1  H 2 
2

Lm= Minimum length of vertical curve (ft) H1 = Height of eye above roadway surface (ft)
S = Sight Distance (ft) H2 = Height of object above roadway surface (ft)
A = Algebraic
Abu Dhabidifference in grades (%)
Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design:
Sight Distance less than length of
vertical curve: ( S < L )
AS 2
Lm 
200  H1  H 2 2

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft) H1 = Height of eye above roadway surface (ft)
S = Sight Distance (ft) H2 = Height of object above roadway surface (ft)
A = Algebraic
Abu Dhabidifference in grades (%)
Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design

When you assume AASHTO guidelines:

H1 = 3.5 ft (driver eye height) H2 = 2 ft (object height)
S = SSD

SSD > L SSD < L

Lm = 2 SSD - 2158 Lm = A SSD2

A 2158
Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)
SSD = Stopping-Sight Distance (ft)
A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Stopping-Sight Distance

Source: AASHTO Green Book (2001)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
Crest Curve Design (K-values)

Abu Dhabi Source:

DepartmentAASHTO
of TransportGreen Book (2001)
Highways Division
 Example Problem 2
 A +1.0% grade intersects a -2.0% grade
on a highway with a design speed of 70
mi/hr.

Determine the length of curve required

assuming provisions are to be made for
minimum SSD.

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 2 (con’t)
 First, ignore the effects of grades: SSD can be read
directly from AASHTO
Assume a design speed = 70 mi/hr (min speed)

The corresponding
SSD = 730 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 2 (con’t)

 Assume:
SSD < L
Lm = A SSD2
2158

Lm = 3 (730)2
= 740.82 For SSD
2158
Since 740.82 > 730, the assumption L > SSD was correct

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 2 (con’t)
 Alternative Solution:
– Use K-values (Lm = KA)

A  G1  G2  1.0  ( 2.0)  3.0

Lm = 247(3.0) = 741.0 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Equation Variables
 PVC = Point of vertical curvature (initial point of curve)
 PVT = Point of vertical tangent (point where curve returns to final
tangent)
 PVI = Point of vertical intersection (intersection of initial and final
grades)
 L = Length of vertical curve in stations or feet (measured on horizontal
plane)
 G1 = Initial roadway grade in percent or ft/ft
 G2 = Final roadway grade in percent or ft/ft
 A = absolute difference in grades (G1 – G2, percent)
 y = roadway elevation at distance x from beginning of vertical curve in ft
 x = distance from beginning of vertical curve in stations or ft
 a, b = coefficients
 c = elevation of PVC in ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Equation Variables 2
 Y = the offset at any distance, x, from the PVC (ft)
 Ym = the midcurve offset (ft)
 Yf = offset at the end of the vertical curve (ft)
 x = the distance from the PVC (ft)
 xhl = distance from PVC to high/low point (ft)
 H1 = height of driver’s eye above roadway surface (ft)
 H2 = height of object above roadway surface (ft)
 S = sight distance (ft)
 Lm= Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)
 SSD = stopping sight distance (ft)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Vertical Curvature (Part 2)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design and
Stopping Sight Distance

H = height of headlight (ft)

= inclined angle of headlight beam (degrees)
L = length of vertical curve (ft)
S = sight distance (ft)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design
Sight Distance greater than length of
vertical curve: ( S > L )
200 H  S tan  Headlight distance is
Lm  2 S  the critical length
A

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft) H = Height of headlight above the roadway (ft)
S = Sight Distance (ft) A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
β = the incline angle of the headlight beam relative to the horizontal plane of the car
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design
Sight Distance less than length of
vertical curve: ( S < L )
AS 2 Headlight distance is
Lm 
200 H  S tan  the critical length

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (m) H = Height of headlight above the roadway (m)
S = Sight Distance (m) A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
β = theAbu
incline angle of the headlight beam relative to the horizontal plane of the car
Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design

When you assume AASHTO guidelines:

H = 2.0 ft (headlight height) β = 1 S = SSD

SSD > L SSD < L

Lm = 2 SSD – 400 + 3.5SSD Lm = A SSD2

A 400 + 3.5SSD

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)

SSD = Stopping-Sight Distance (ft) - controlled by headlights
A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design (K-values)

Source: AASHTO Green Book (2001)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Example Problem 3
 PVI sta. 375+22; PVI elev. = 1765.03 ft;
V = 70 mi/hr; G1 = -2.5%; G2 = +1.2%

Determine the minimum length of the

curve and if a bridge is placed at sta.
376+00, with a clearance of 14 ft, what
elevation would the bridge be set at?

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)

376 + 00

14 ft

G1
PVT

G2
PVI
(375 + 22)
elev. 1765.03 ft

L/2 L/2

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)

Assume an average running speed = 70 mi/hr (min speed)

The corresponding
SSD = 730 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)
 Assume:
SSD < L
Lm = A SSD2
400 + 3.5SSD

Lm = 3.7 (730)2
= 667.25 ft
400 + 3.5(730)

Since 730 is not < 667.25 , therefore try SSD > L

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)
 Assume:
SSD > L
Lm = 2 SSD – 400 + 3.5SSD
A

Lm = 2 (730) – 400 + 3.5 (730)

= 661.35 ft
3.7

Since 730 > 661.35 , therefore use Lm = 661.35 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)

376 + 00

Determine sta. and PVC

Elevation of PVC (371 + 91)
elev. 1773.3 ft
14 ft
PVT
G1
with Lmin PVI
G2
(375 + 22)
elev. 1765.03 ft

L/2 L/2

sta. of PVC = PVI - (1/2)(L) = 375 + 22

- 3 + 31
= 371 + 91

Elev. of PVC = Elev. of PVI + G1*( L / 2 )

= 1765.03 + (0.025)*(330.7) = 1773.3 ft
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)
376 + 00
The Bridge at sta. x
PVC
376 + 00 (371 + 91) 14 ft
elev. 1773.3 ft G1 PVT
(clearance = 14 ft) PVI
G2
(375 + 22)
elev. 1765.03 ft

L/2 L/2

To find elevation of Bridge: vertical curve equation

yx = a x2 + G1x + Elevation at PVC
x = distance from PVC to point on curve (sta.)
yx = elev. of vertical curve at point x
L = length of vertical curve (sta.)
a = Algebraic difference in grades (%) / 2L
GAbu
1 = Dhabi
initial grade of curve (%)
Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Example Problem 3 (con’t)

376 + 00
To find elevation of Bridge: x
PVC
vertical curve equation (371 + 91) G1
14 ft
PVT
elev. 1773.3 ft PVI G2
(375 + 22)
elev. 1765.03 ft
L/2 L/2

yx = a x2 + G1x + Elevation at PVC

x = 376 + 00
- 371 + 91
4 + 09 = 4.09 sta.

yx = (3.7 / 2(6.62)) 4.092 + (-2.5)(4.09) + 1773.3 = 1767.75 ft

elevation for bridge = yx + 14 ft = 1781.75 ft

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design and
Passing Sight Distance
When you assume AASHTO guidelines:
H1 = 3.5 ft (Driver eye height) H2 = 3.5 ft (Opposing vehicle height)

PSD > L PSD < L

Lm = 2 PSD – 2800 Lm = A PSD2

A 2800

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)

PSD = Passing Sight Distance (ft)
A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Crest Curve Design (PSD K-values)
Design speed (mph) Passing Sight Distance (ft) Rate of Vertical
Curvature, K
20 710 180
25 900 289
30 1090 424
35 1280 585
40 1470 772
45 1625 943
50 1835 1203
55 1985 1407
60 2135 1628
65 2285 1865
70 2480 2197
75 2580 2377
80
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport 2680 2565
Highways Division
 Underpass Sight Distance

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Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design and
Underpass Sight Distance
S<L, S>L,
AS 2  H  H2 
Lm  800 H c  1 
 H  H2   2 
800  H c  1  Lm  2 S 
 2  A

Lm = minimum length of vertical curve (ft)

A = absolute different in vertical grades (%)
H1 = height of driver’s eye (ft)
H2 = height of object (ft)
Hc = clearance height of overpass structure above roadway (ft)
S = sight distance (ft)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division
 Sag Curve Design and
Underpass Sight Distance
When you assume AASHTO guidelines:
H1 = 8 ft (Truck driver eye height) H2 = 2.0 ft (Vehicle taillights)

SSD > L SSD < L

800( H c  5) A  SSD 2
Lm  2  SSD  Lm 
A 800( H c  5)

Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)

SSD = Stopping Sight Distance (ft)
A = Algebraic difference in grades (%)
Hc = clearance height (ft)
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
Highways Division
 Vertical Curve Variables
 H = height of headlight (ft)
  = inclined angle of headlight beam (degrees)
 L = length of vertical curve (ft)
 S = sight distance (ft)
 Lm = Minimum length of vertical curve (ft)
 SSD = stopping sight distance (ft)
 x = distance from PVC to point on curve (sta.)
 yx = elev. of vertical curve at point x
 L = length of vertical curve (sta.)
 a = Algebraic difference in grades (%) / 2L
 G1 = initial grade of curve (%)
 Hc = clearance height (ft)
 PSD = passing sight distance (ft)
 H1 = height of driver’s eye (ft)
 H2 = height of object (ft)

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Highways Division