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Chapter 10
Horizontal, Spiral and Vertical Curves
Topics to be covered
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a) Simple Circular
(b) Compound
(c) Reverse
(d) Spiral
Compound
Frequently
the
terrain
will
necessitate the use
of a compound
curve. This curve
normally consists
of two simple
curves
joined
together,
but
curving in the
same direction.
Reverse
A
reverse
curve
consists of two simple
curves
joined
together, but curving
in opposite directions.
For safety reasons,
this curve is seldom
used
in
highway
construction as it
would tend to send an
automobile off the
road.
Spiral
The spiral is a curve
which has a varying
radius. It is used on
railroads and some
modern highways.
Its purpose is to
provide a transition
from the tangent to a
simple curve or
between
simple
curves
in
a
compound curve
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8. Long chord: The long chord (LC or C) is the chord from the PC to the PT.
9. External distance: The external distance (E) is the distance from the PI to the
midpoint of the curve. The external distance bisects the interior angle at the PI.
10. Middle ordinate: The middle ordinate (M) is the distance from the midpoint of the
curve to the midpoint of the long chord. The extension of the middle ordinate bisects
the central angle.
11. Degree of curve: The degree of curve (D) defines the "sharpness" or "flatness" of the
curve. There are two common definitions for degree of curve , as follows:
Table 10-2 Chord and Arc Definitions for Horizontal Curves
Chord Definition
Arc Definition
D
50 ft
Sin( )
R
2
( 10-1)
2R
R
(10-2)
The sharpness of a curve is determined by the choice of the radius (R); large radius curves
are relatively flat, whereas small radius curves are relatively sharp.
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Tangent ( BC to PI OR PI to EC ) T R Tan
Long Chord (BC to B to EC ) C 2 R Sin
2 T Cos ( 2)
2
(10-3)
(10-4)
L 2 R
R ( radians ) (100 ft )
360
D
C
) Tan E Cos
2
2
4
2
External Dist . ( PI to A) E R
1 R ( Sec 1)
2
Cos ( 2)
(10-5)
(10-6)
(10-7)
Notes:
R
R
)
i.e 2 Cos 1 (
1- Cos 2
R E
RE
2- versed sine (vers) vers (/2) = 1 Cos (/2)
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Sample Problem 10-1: Horizontal Curve Chord, Middle Ordinate & External Distance
Given: 16 o 38 , R= 1000 ft ,
PI Sta. @ 6 + 26.57
Solution:
T R tan
(deg .)
R (radians) (100 ft )
360
D
16.6333
= 2 1000
= 290.31ft
360
L 2 R
PI at
T
BC =
+L
EC =
6 + 26.57
1 + 46.18
4 + 80.39
2 + 90.31
7 + 70.70
E R(
1) R Tan Tan = 1000 (Sec 8.3167o 1) = 10.63 ft
2
4
Cos ( 2)
C 2 R Sin
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R
2 R
5729.58
954.93 ft
R
D
(10-2)
T R Tan
L 2 R
(deg .)
R (radians) (100 ft )
360
D
100 11.3598
= 189.33 ft
6
PI at
T
BC =
+L
EC =
14+ 87.33
00 + 94.98
13 + 92.35
01 + 89.33
15 + 81.68
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The deflection angle is defined as the angle between the tangent and a chord.
The following two rules apply for the deflection angles for circular curves:
Rule 1: The deflection angle between a tangent and a chord is half the central
angle subtended by the arc i.e. the angle between the tangent BC-PI and the
chord PC-A is the central angle BC-O-A i.e. & 2
Rule 2: The angle between two chords is the central angle subtended by the
arc between the two chords i.e. the angle A-BC-B is the central angle AO-B i.e. & 2
arc length
deflection angle
L
2
arc length
deflection angle
L
2
2 R
2 arc length ( BC to A)
(10-8)
(10-9)
(10-10)
(10-11)
(10-12)
Abbreviations:
BC = Beginning of curve
PC = Point of curvature
TC = Tangent to curve
EC = End of curve
PT = Point of tangency
CT = Curve to tangent
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1. The difference in elevation between the BVC and a point on the g 1 grade
line at a distance x units (feet or meters) is g 1 x (g 1 is expressed as a
decimal).
Figure 10.14
Geometric of a Parabola
2. The tangent offset between the grade line and the curve is given by ax2, where x is the
horizontal distance from the BVC (PVC); that is, tangent offsets are proportional to the
squares of the horizontal distances.
3. The elevation of the curve at distance x from the BVC is given by:
rx 2
g1x
2
(10-24)
(10-25)
g 2 g1
(10-26)
L
Where: x = the distance from BVC to a point on the curve
r = rate of grade change per station
4. The grade lines (g 1 and g 2 ) intersect midway between the BVC and the EVC ; that is,
BVC to PVI = L = PVI to EVC. This is only true for symmetrical vertical curves.
r
5. The curve lies midway between the PVI and the midpoint of the chord; that is,
AB = B PVI = do which can be calculated as follows:
Either:
do = (difference in elevation of PVI and mid-chord elevation)
= (elevation of BVC + elevation of EVC)
OR:
Chapter 10- Horizontal, Spiral and Vertical Curve
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do =
g1 g 2 L
(10-27)
8
6. The slope S, in percentage, of the tangent to the curve at any point on the curve is given
by the following formula:
x( g1 g 2 )
S g1
(10-28)
L
rx 2 x 2 ( g 2 g1 )
d offset
(L curve length in feet)
2
200 L
(10-29)
(10-30)
The locations of the curves high and low points are important for drainage considerations;
for example, on curbed streets catch basins must be installed precisely at the drainage low
point. From equation (10-25), the slope (dy dx) is equaled to zero and solving for X:
g1 rX 0
(10-31)
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g1
g1 L
g1 L
r
g 2 g1 g1 g 2
(10-32)
g1
g1 L
g1 L
( 3.2)(3)
Remember: All distances used to located a low or a high point or used to determine an
elevation of a point on a vertical curve are measured from BVC.
rx 2
y x y BVC g 1 x
2
1.8 (3.2) 1.92 2
485.92 (1.5)(3.2) (3.2)(1.92) (
)(
) 487.65 ft @ Sta 30 72.00
3.00
2
Chapter 10- Horizontal, Spiral and Vertical Curve
235