Jigjiga University

Institute of Technology
School of Civil Engineering and Construction Technology
Department of Surveying Eng.
C U RV E R A N G I N G

Lecture-5

By- Ir. Eyob.D

Curve Ranging
 CURVES

- In highways, railways, or canals, Irrigations the curve are provided for smooth or gradual
change in direction due the nature of terrain, cultural features, or other unavoidable reasons.

Horizontal curves are curves that are used to connect straight line called tangent. The
curves employed normally are circular.

Although spiral curves may be used to provide gradual transitions to or form the
circular curves

CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULAR CURVES.

Circular curves can be classified as
- Sample circular curves
- Compound Circular curves
- Reverse Circular Curves
- Spiral Curves
CURVE Designation
Curves are designated either by their radius (R) or their degree of curve

A. Simple Circular Curves

A Simple Curve is a circular arc joining two intersecting tangents. The radius of
the circle determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve.
Elements of the simple circular curve
1. Vertex (V) - the point of intersection (PI) of two intersecting tangents.
2. Point of curvature (PC) - the point of tangency where the curve leaves the
tangent.
3. Point of tangency (PT) - the point of tangency where the curve meat the
other tangent.
4. Tangent distance (T) - the distance from the vertex to the PC or PT.
5. Intersection angle (I) or ∆- the angle by which the forward tangent
deflects from the back tangent
6. Radius (R) - the radius of the circle of which the curve is made.
7. External distance (E) is the distance from the vertex to the mid point of
the circular curve.
8. Long chord (C) - is the distance from the point of curvature (PC) to the
point of tangency (PT).
9. Middle Ordinate (M) -is the distance from the mid point of the long chord
to the mid point of the circular curve.
10. Degree of curve (D0)-
Formula to calculate the various elements of a circular curve for
use in design and setting out, are as under
2. COMPOUND CURVES
A compound curve (Fig. 7.3) has two or more circular curves contained between the two main
straights or tangents. The individual curves meet tangentially at their junction point. Smooth driving
characteristics require that the larger radius be more than 1 times larger than the smaller radius.
3. Reverse curve

A reverse curve is one in which two circular curves of same or different radii have their
center of curvature on the opposite sides of the common tangent (Fig. 7.4).Two straights to
which a reverse curve connects may be parallel or non-parallel
VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are introduced at the intersection of two gradients either as summit curves
(Fig. 7.8a), or sag curves (Fig. 7.8b)

The requirement of a vertical curve is that it should provide a constant rate of change of grade,
and a parabola fulfills this requirement. As shown in Fig. 7.9, for flat gradients it is normal to
assume the length of curve (2L) equal to the length along the tangents the length of the long chord AB its
horizontal projection.
Example
The chainage of the intersection point of two straights is 1060 m, and the angle of intersection is 120°. If radius of a
circular curve to be set out is 570 m, and peg interval is 30 m, determine the tangent length, the length of the curve, the
the, length of the long chord .

Tangent length T = Rtan  Deflection angle  = 180° – 

2 = 180° – 120° = 60°
= 570 × tan 30° = 329.09 m 
2
Length of curve l = R = 30°
180
=  *570*60 = 596.90 m
180

Long chord L = 2RSin

2
= 2 × 570 × sin 30° = 570 m.
2
Exercise 1
Two straight lines AB &BC intersect at chain age 10+020, the intersecting angle
being 400. It is desired to connect these two tangents by a simple C/ curve of 40.
Calculate the elements of the curve & determine the chain age of the tangent pt.
(arc basis)
Any Question ?
Thank You !!!