AN EDUSAT LECTURE ON

AN EDUSAT LECTURE ON

CURVES-I BY:
Er.Mohinder Kumar
Senior Lecturer Civil Engg.
GOVT. POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
April 16,2013. BATALA.( GURDASPUR) 1
 B
CURVES
Curves are regular
T2
bends provided in T1

the lines of A
C
communication like
roads, railways and
canals etc. to bring
about gradual O
Fig. 1 . A CURVE
change of direction.

CURVES 2
 CURVES B

They enable the

vehicle to pass from
T2
one path on to another T1

when the two paths A C

meet at an angle. They
are also used in the
vertical plane at all
changes of grade to O
Fig. 2. A CURVE
avoid the abrupt
change of grade at the
apex.
CURVES 3
 HORIZONTAL CURVES
Curves provided in the horizontal plane to
have the gradual change in direction are known
as horizontal curves.
VERTICAL CURVES
Curves provided in the vertical plane to obtain
the gradual change in grade are called as
vertical curves.
Curves may be circular or parabolic. Curves
are generally arcs of parabolas.
Curves are laid out on the ground along the
centre line of the work.

CURVES 4
NEED OF PROVIDING CURVES

Curves are needed on Highways, railways

and canals for bringing about gradual change
of direction of motion. They are provided for
following reasons:-
i) To bring about gradual change in
direction of motion.
ii) To bring about gradual change in grade
and for good visibility.

CURVES 5
NEED OF PROVIDING CURVES Contd…

iii) To alert the driver so that he may not

fall asleep.

iv) To layout Canal alignment.

v) To control erosion of canal banks by the

……thrust of flowing water in a canal.

CURVES 6
CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULAR CURVES
Circular curves are classified as :

(i) Simple Curves.

(ii) Compound Curves.

(iii) Serpentine Curves.

(iv) Deviation Curves.

CURVES 7
 B
i) Simple Curve:
T2
A simple curve T1

Consists of a A C
single arc of R R
circle connecting
two straights. It
has radius of the O

same magnitude Fig. 3. A SIMPLE CURVE

throughout.

CURVES 8
ii) COMPOUND CURVE
M P N

T1

R1
O1
R2
Fig.4 Compound Curve
A
C
O2

A compound Curve consists of two or

more simple curves having different radii
bending in the same direction and lying on
the same side of the common tangent. Their
centres lie on the same side of the curve.

CURVES 9
 iii) REVERSE OR SERPENTINE CURVE
A reverse or serpentine curve is
made up of two arcs having equal
B
or different radii bending in O2 R 2

opposite direction with a common T2

tangent at their junction . R 2

Their centres lie on M p N

opposite sides of the curve. T1

Reverse curves are used R 1

when the straights are A R 1

parallel or intersect at a O1
very small angle. Fig. 5. A Reverse or Serpentine Curve.

CURVES 10
REVERSE OR SERPENTINE CURVE
They are commonly used
in railway sidings and B
O2
sometimes on railway T2

tracks and roads meant

for low speeds. They P
M N
should be avoided as far
as possible on main lines
T1
and highways where
speeds are necessarily A
O1
high.
Fig.6 A Reverse or Serpentine Curve.

CURVES 11
 O3
O1
iv) DEVIATION CURVE
A deviation curve is
simply a combination
of two reverse curves.
it is used when it
Building becomes necessary to
T1 T2
deviate from a given
straight path in order
O2 to avoid intervening
Fig. 7 A Deviation Curve obstructions such as
bend of river, a
building , etc.
CURVES 12
 B’

B φ

I
F
T1 E T2

A C

R φ/2
φ

Fig. 8 SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE

CURVES 13
NAMES OF VARIOUS PARTS OF CURVE

(i) The two straight lines AB and BC which

are connected by the curve are called the
tangents or straights to the curve.
(ii) The point of intersection of the two
straights (B) is called the intersection point
or the vertex.
(iii) When the curve deflects to the right side of
the progress of survey ,it is termed as right
handed curve and when to the left , it is
termed as left handed curve.

CURVES 14
NAMES OF VARIOUS PARTS OF CURVE
(iv) The lines AB and BC are tangents to the
curve. AB is called the first tangent or
the rear tangent . BC is called the second
tangent or the forward tangent.
(v) The points ( T1 and T2 ) at which the
curve touches the tangents are called
the tangent points. The beginning of
the curve ( T1) is called the tangent
curve point and the end of the curve
(T2) is called the curve tangent point.

CURVES 15
NAMES OF VARIOUS PARTS OF CURVE
(vi) The angle between the lines AB and BC

( ABC) is called the angle of intersection (I).

└
(vii) The angle by which the forward tangent
deflects from the rear tangent (└B’BC)
is called the deflection angle (φ) of the
curve.
(viii) The distance from the point of intersection
to the tangent point is called tangent
length ( BT1 and BT2).
CURVES
(ix) The line joining the two tangent points (T 1
16
(x) The arc T1FT2 is called the length of curve.
(xi) The mid point(F) of the arc (T1FT2) is called
the summit or apex of the curve.
(xii) The distance from the point of intersection
to the apex of the curve BF is called the
apex distance.
(xiii) The distance between the apex of the curve
and the mid point of the long chord (EF)
is called versed sine of the curve.
(xiv) The angle subtended at the centre of the
curve by the arc T1FT2 is known
as central angle and is equal to the
deflection angle (φ) .
CURVES 17
ELEMENTS of a Simple Circular Curve

(i) Angle of intersection +Deflection angle = 180 0.

or I + φ = 1800

(ii) T1OT2 = 1800 - I = φ

└
i.e the central angle = deflection angle.

(iii)Tangent length = BT1 =BT2= OT1 tan φ/2

= R tan φ/2
CURVES 18
ELEMENTS of a Simple Circular Curve
(iv) Length of long chord =2T1E
=2R sin φ/2
(v) Length of curve = Length of arc T1FT2

= R X φ (in radians)
= πR φ/1800
(vi) Apex distance = BF = BO – OF

= R sec. φ/2 - R

= R (1 – cos φ/2 )=R versine φ/2

CURVES 19
DESIGNATION OF CURVE
A curve may be designated either by
the radius or by the angle subtended at the
centre by a chord of particular length.
In India, a curve is designated by the
angle (in degrees) subtended at the centre by a
chord of 30 metres (100 ft.) length. This angle
is called the degree of curve (D).
The degree of the curve indicates the
sharpness of the curve.

CURVES 20
DESIGNATION OF CURVES.

In English practice , a curve is defined

by the radius of the curve in terms of chains,
such as a six chain curve means a curve having
radius equal to six full chains, chain being 30
metres unless otherwise specified.
In America,Canada,India and some
other countries a curve is designated by the
degree of the curve. For example a 40 curve
means a curve having angle of 90 degrees at the
centre subtended by a chord of 30m length
unless otherwise specified.
CURVES 21
RELATION between the Radius of curve and
Degree of Curve.
The relation between the radius M P N
and the degree of the curve may
be determined as follows:-
D
R R
Let R = the radius of the curve in metres. D/2
D= the degree of the curve.
MN = the chord, 30m long.
P= the mid-point of the chord. O
Fig.9 Degree of Curve
In OMP,OM=R,
MP= ½ MN =15m

└ MOP=D/2
Then, sin D/2=MP/OM= 15/R PTO

CURVES 22
RELATION between the Radius of curve and
Degree of Curve.
Then,sin D/2=MP/OM= 15/R M P N
Or R = 15 (Exact)
sin D/2
But when D is small, sin D/2 may be D
R R
assumed approximately equal to
D/2
D/2 in radians.
Therefore:
R = 15 X 360 O
πD Fig. 10 Degree of Curve
= 1718.87
D
Or say , R = 1719  This relation holds good up to 50
D curves.For higher degree curves the
(Approximate) exact relation should be used.

CURVES 23
METHODS OF CURVE RANGING
A curve may be set out
(1) By linear Methods, where chain and tape
are used or
(2) By Angular or instrumental methods,
where a theodolite with or without a chain is
used.
Before starting setting out a curve by any
method, the exact positions of the tangents
points between which the curve lies ,must be
determined. Following procedure is adopted:-

CURVES 24
METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure :-
i) After fixing the directions of the straights,
produce them to meet in point (B)
ii) Set up the Theodolite at the intersection
point (B) and measure the angle of
intersection (I) .Then find the deflection
angle ( φ ) by subtracting (I) from 180 0 i.e
φ=1800 – I.
iii) Calculate the tangent length from the
following equation
Tangent length = R tanφ/2
CURVES 25
METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure :-

iv) Measure the tangent length (BT1)

backward along the rear tangent BA from
the intersection point B, thus locating
the position of T1.

vi) Similarly, locate the position of T2 by

measuring the same distance forward
along the forward tangent BC from B.

CURVES 26
METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure (contd…) :-
After locating the positions of the tangent
points T1 and T2 ,their chainages may be
determined. The chainage of T1 is obtained by
subtracting the tangent length from the known
chainage of the intersection point B. And the
chainage of T2 is found by adding the length
of curve to the chainage of T1.
Then the pegs are fixed at equal intervals
on the curve.The interval between pegs is
usually 30m or one chain length. ……...............
CURVES 27
 METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure (contd…) :-
This distance should actually be measured along
the arc ,but in practice it is measured along
the chord ,as the difference between the chord
and the corresponding arc is small and hence
negligible. In order that this difference is
always small and negligible ,the length of the
chord should not be more than 1/20th of the
radius of the curve. The curve is then obtained
by joining all these pegs. ……...............

CURVES 28
METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure (contd…) :-
The distances along the centre line of the
curve are continuously measured from the
point of beginning of the line up to the end .i.e
the pegs along the centre line of the work
should be at equal interval from the beginning
of the line up to the end. There should be no
break in the regularity of their spacing in
passing from a tangent to a curve or from a
curve to the tangent. For this reason ,the first
peg on the curve is fixed ….
CURVES 29
 METHODS OF SETTING OUT A CURVE
Procedure (contd…) :-
… at such a distance from the first tangent point
(T1) that its chainage becomes the whole
number of chains i.e the whole number of peg
interval. The length of the first sub chord is
thus less than the peg interval and it is called a
sub-chord. Similarly there will be a sub-chord
at the end of the curve. Thus a curve usually
consists of two sub-chords and a no. of full
chords.

CURVES 30
Example : A simple circular curve is to have a radius
of 573 m .the tangents intersect at chainage 1060 m
and the angle of intersection is 1200. Find,
(i) Tangent Distance.
(ii) Chainage at beginning and end of the curve.
(iii) Length of the long chord.
(iv) Degree of the curve.
(v) Number of full and sub chords.

Solution: Please see fig.11

Given,
The deflection angle, φ= 1800 – 1200 =600
Radius of curve = R = 573 m
PTO

CURVES 31
 1060 m 600 =φ
1200
330.85

L=600m
729.15 1329.15
T1 T2

R=573m

O
Fig.11

CURVES 32
(i) We know ,tangent length = R tan φ /2
= 573 x tan 300
= 573x 0.5774
= 330.85 m (Ans.)
(ii) Length of curve is given by: π R φ
1800
= π x 573x600
1800
= 600 m (Ans.)
Chainage of first tangent point (T1)
= Chainage of intersection point – tangent length.
= 1060 – 330.85
= 729.15 m (Ans.)
PTO

CURVES 33
(iii) The length of long chord is given by:
L = 2R sin φ /2
= 2 x 573 x sin 300
= 573 m ( Ans.)

(iv) Degree of Curve

We know the relation , R= 1719
D

or D = 1719
R
=30
Therefore , degree of curve is =30 (Ans.)
PTO

CURVES 34
(v) Number of Full and sub chords:
Assuming peg interval =30m
Chainage of T1 = 729.15 m = 729.15 Chain lengths.
30
= 24 full chain lengths + 9.15 m
Chainage of Ist peg on the curve should be 25 full chain lengths.
The length of Ist sub chord= (25+00) – (24 + 9.15)
= 20.85 m
Chainage of T2 = 1329.15 Chain lengths.
30
= 44 full chain lengths + 9.15 m.
Chainage of last peg on the curve =44 full chains.

Therefore length of last sub chord = (44+9.15) – (44+00)

= 9.15m
PTO

CURVES 35
No. Of full chords = chainage of last peg – chainage of Ist peg
= 44 – 25 = 19
So, there will be 19 full chords and two sub chords.
Check:
Length of full chords = 19x30 =570.00m
” ” Ist sub chord = 20.85m
” ” last sub chord = 9.15m

Total length of all chords = 600.00m

(Same as length of curve)

PTO

CURVES 36
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves

The following are the methods of setting out

simple circular curves by the use of chain
and tape :-
(i) By offsets from the tangents.
(ii) By successive bisection of arcs.
(iii) By offsets from chords produced.

CURVES 37
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
1. By offsets from the tangents. When the
deflection angle and the radius of the
curve both are small, the curves are set out
by offsets from the tangents.
Offsets are set out either
(i) radially or
(ii) perpendicular to the tangents
according as the centre of the curve is
accessible or inaccessible

CURVES 38
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
B’

B φ

x P Ox

P1
T2
T1 90 0

A C

Fig. 12 By Radial Offsets

CURVES 39
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
B’

Offsets is given by :

Ox = R2 +x2 – R …….. (Exact relation.)

When the radius is large ,the offsets may be
calculated by the approximate formula
which is as under
Ox = x 2 ……… (Approximate )
2R
By Radial Offsets

CURVES 40
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
B’

P
Ox
x
P1
T1 T2

A
P2
B

Fig. 13.
O

(ii) By offsets perpendicular to the Tangents

CURVES 41
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
1. (ii) By offsets perpendicular to the Tangents

Ox= R – R2 – x2 ……………
(Exact)

Ox = x 2 ……… (Approximate )
2R

CURVES 42
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
By offsets from the tangents: Procedure

(i) Locate the tangent points T1 and T2.

(ii) Measure equal distances , say 15 or 30 m

along the tangent fro T1.

(iii) Set out the offsets calculated by any of

the above methods at each distance ,thus
obtaining the required points on the
curve.
CURVES 43
LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves
By offsets from the tangents: Procedure….

(iv) Continue the process until the apex of

the curve is reached.
(v) Set out the other half of the curve from
second tangent.
(vi) This method is suitable for setting out
sharp curves where the ground outside
the curve is favourable for chaining.

CURVES 44
Example. Calculate the offsets at 20m intervals along
the tangents to locate a curve having a radius of
400m ,the deflection angle being 600 .

Solution . Given:
Radius of the curve ,R = 400m
Deflection angle, φ = 600
Therefore tangent length = R. tan φ/2
= 400 x tan 600
= 230.96 m
Radial offsets. (Exact method)
Ox= R2 + x2 - R ……………
(Exact)

CURVES 45
Radial offsets. (Exact method)
Ox= R2 + x2 - R ……………
(Exact)

O20 = 4002+202 - 400 = 400.50 - 400 = 0.50 m

O40 = 4002+402 - 400 = 402.00 - 400 = 2.00 m

O60 = 4002+602 - 400 = 404.47 - 400 = 4.47 m

O80 = 4002+802 - 400 = 407.92 - 400 = 7.92 m

O100 = 4002+1002- 400 = 412.31 - 400 = 12.31 m

And so on….
CURVES 46
B) Perpendicular offsets (Exact method)

Ox = R – R2 – x2 ……………
(Exact)

O20 = 400 - 4002 - 202 = 400 -399.50 = 0.50 m

O40 = 400 - 4002 - 402 = 400 -398.00 = 2.00 m

O60 = 400 - 4002 - 602 = 400 -395.47 = 4.53 m

O80 = 400 - 4002 - 802 = 400 -391.92 =8.08 m

O100 = 400 - 4002 -1002 = 400 -387.30 =12.70 m

And so on…..
CURVES 47
B) By the approximate Formula
(Both radial and perpendicular offsets)
Ox = x2
2R
Therefore O20 = 202 = 0.50 m
2x400
O40 = 402 = 2.00 m
2x400
O60 = 602 = 4.50 m
2x400
O80 = 802 = 8.00 m
2x 400
O100 = 1002 = 12.50 m
2 x 400
and so on….
CURVES 48
THANKS

49