AN EDUSAT LECTURE ON

AN INTRODUCTION
LECTURE ON

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Curves are regular
bends provided in
the
lines
of
communication like
roads, railways and
canals etc. to bring
about
gradual
change of direction.

T2

T1
A

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Fig. 1 . A CURVE

CURVES
They
enable
the
vehicle to pass from
one path on to
another when the two
paths meet at an
angle. They are also
used in the vertical
plane at all changes of
grade to avoid the
abrupt change of
grade at the apex.

T2

T1
A

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Fig. 2. A CURVE

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.

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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.

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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.

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CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULAR CURVES

Horizental curves are classified as :
(i)

Simple Curves.

(ii) Compound Curves.

(iii)

Reverse Curves.

(iv) Transition curves.

(v) Lemniscate curves.

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i) Simple Curve:
A simple curve
Consists of a
single arc of
circle connecting
two straights. It
has radius of the
same magnitude
throughout.

T2

T1
A

C
R

Fig. 3. A SIMPLE
CURVE

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ii) COMPOUND CURVE

M
N

T1
R1

O
1

R2

A
O
2

Fig.4 Compound Curve

C

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.

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iii) REVERSE OR SERPENTINE CURVE

A reverse or serpentine curve is
made up of two arcs having equal
or different radii bending in
O2
R
opposite direction with a common
R
tangent at their junction .

B
2

T2

Their centres lie on

opposite sides of the curve.

T
1
A

R1
R1
O1

Fig. 5. A Reverse or
Serpentine Curve.

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REVERSE OR SERPENTINE CURVE

They are commonly used
in railway sidings and
sometimes on railway
tracks and roads meant
for low speeds. They
should be avoided as far
as possible on main lines
and highways where
speeds are necessarily
high.

B
O2

T
1
A
O1

Fig.6 A Reverse or
Serpentine Curve.

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T
2

iv) Transition Curve

A curve of variable radius is known as transition
curve. It is also called a spiral curve or easement
curve. In railways, such a curve is provided on both
sides of a circular curve to minimize super elevation.
Excessive super elevator may cause wear and tear of
the rail section and discomfort to passengers.

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v) Lemniscate Curve
A curve similar to a transition curve and is generally
adopted in city roads where the deflection angle is
large. In figure below OPD shows the shape of such
a curve. The curve is designed by taking a major
axis OD, minor axis PP, with the region of O, and
axis OA and OB. OP is known as the polar ray, and
the polar angle.

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B
B

I
F
T1

T2

C
R

/2

Fig. 8 SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE

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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.

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` AwesazASW32wqa

a1Q2

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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.

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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 (BBC) is
called the deflection angle () of the curve.
(viii) The distance from the point of intersection
to the tangent point is called tangent length
( BT1 and BT2).
(ix) The line joining the two tangent points (T 1
and T ) is known
as the long chord.
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(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 () .

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ELEMENTS of a Simple Circular Curve

(i) Angle of intersection +Deflection angle = 180 0.
or I + =
1800

(ii)

T1OT2 = 1800 - I =

i.e the central angle = deflection angle.

(iii)Tangent length = BT1 =BT2= OT1 tan /2
= R tan /2
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ELEMENTS of a Simple Circular Curve

(iv) Length of long chord =2T1E
=2R sin /2
(v) Length of curve = Length of arc T1FT2
= R X (in radians)
= R /1800
(vi) Apex distance = BF = BO OF
= R sec. /2 - R
= R (1 cos /2 )=R versine

/2

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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.

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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.

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Degree of curve
The angle a unit chord of length 30 m subtends at
the center of the circle formed by the curve is
known as degree of the curve. It is designated as
D. (Fig 10.2).
A curve may be designated according to either the
radius or the degree of the curve.
When the unit chord subtends an angle of 1
degree, it is called a one-degree curve , when the
angle is two-degree curve, and so on.
It may be calculated that the radius of one-degree
curve is 1,719 m.
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Degree of curve

24

Superelevations
When a particle move in a circular path, then a
force (known as centrifugal force) acts upon it,
and tends to push it away from the center.
Similarly, when a vehicle suddenly moves from a
straight to a curved path, the centrifugal force
tends to push the vehicle away from the road or
track.
To counter balance the centrifugal force, the outer
edge of the road or rail is raised to some height
(with respect to the inner edge), so that the sine
component of the weight of the vehicle
(w sin ) may counter balance the over- turning
force.
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Superelevations
The height through which the
outer edge of the road or rail is
raised is known as superelevation
or cant.
In figure 10.4, p is the centrifugal
force, w sin
is the component
of the weight of the vehicle, and h
is the superelevation given to the
road or rail.

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Superelevations

27

28

RELATION between the Radius of curve and

Degree of Curve.
The relation between the radius
and the degree of the curve may
be determined as follows:Let R =
D=
MN =
P=
In

the radius of the curve in metres.

the degree of the curve.
the chord, 30m long.
the mid-point of the chord.

OMP,OM=R,
MP= MN =15m

D
D/2

O
Fig.9 Degree of
Curve

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

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RELATION between the Radius of curve and

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

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Centrifugal force

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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:-

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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 ( ) by subtracting (I) from 180 0 i.e
=1800 I.
iii) Calculate the tangent length from the
following equation
Tangent length = R tan/2

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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.

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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. ...............

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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 1/20 th of the
radius of the curve. The curve is then obtained
by joining all these pegs. ...............

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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 .

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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.

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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, = 1800 1200 =600
Radius of curve = R = 573 m

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1060 m 600 =
330.85
729.1
5
T1

1200
L=600
m

1329.15
T
2

R=573
m
O

Fig.11

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(i) We know ,tangent length = R tan /2

= 573 x tan 300
= 573x 0.5774
= 330.85 m (Ans.)
(ii) Length of curve is given by: R
1800
= 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.)

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(iii) The length of long chord is given by:

L = 2R sin /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.)

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(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

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PTO

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)

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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.

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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

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LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves

B

B
x

P Ox
P1

T1

T2

90

C
R

Fig. 12 By Radial Offsets

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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

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LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves

B

B
P
Ox

P1
T2

T1
A

P2

Fig. 13.

(ii) By offsets perpendicular to the Tangents

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LINEAR METHODS of setting out Curves

1. (ii) By offsets perpendicular to the Tangents
Ox= R R2 x2

Ox = x2
2R

(Exact)

(Approximate )

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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.

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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.

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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, = 600
Therefore tangent length = R. tan /2
= 400 x tan 600
= 230.96 m
Radial offsets. (Exact method)
Ox= R2 + x2 - R

(Exact)

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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.

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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 And so on..

4002 -1002 = 400 -387.30 =12.70 m

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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.

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THANKS

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