GENG 133c

CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS

CHAPTER III
HIGHWAY CURVES

by: Engr. Diana Christa G. Milloza

VERTICAL CURVES
dcgmilloza
 DEFINITION

• Vertical curves are used in

highway and street vertical
alignment to provide a gradual
change between two adjacent
grade lines.
 TYPES OF VERTICAL CURVES

• Curve a: Crest Vertical Curve (concave downward)

• Curve b: Sag Vertical Curve (concave upward)

• Tangents: Constant Grade (Slope)

 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• providing a good fit with the
existing ground profile
balancing the volume of cut
material against fill,
• maintaining adequate
drainage,
• not exceeding maximum
specified grades, and
• meeting fixed elevations such
as intersections with other
roads.
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

• (a) fit the grade lines they

connect,
• (b) have lengths sufficient to
meet specifications covering
a maximum rate of change
of grade (which affects the
comfort of vehicle
occupants), and
• (c) Provide sufficient sight
distance for safe vehicle
operation
 GRADIENTS

• Expressed as
percentages
– (-) for a downgrade
– (+) for upgrade

e.g.
• A downgrade of 1 in 20 =
5 in 100 = −5% = −g1%
• An upgrade of 1 in 25 =
4 in 100 = +4% = +g2%
 GRADIENTS
• The angle of deflection of the
two intersecting gradients is
called the grade angle (A)
• The grade angle simply
represents the change of
grade through which the
vertical curve deflects and is
the algebraic difference of
the two gradients:
A% = (g1% − g2%)
GENERAL EQUATION
SLOPE
SLOPE
RATE OF CHANGE
 RATE OF CHANGE

• The rate of change of grade, r, for an

equal-tangent parabolic curve equals
the total grade change from BVC to 𝐴 𝑔2 −𝑔1
𝑟= 𝐿
=
𝐿
EVC divided by L (expressed is in units 2
of m/100 or ft/100) = 𝜋𝑟
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• The difference in elevation
between the BVC and a point
on the g1 grade line at a
distance x units (feet or
meters) is g1x (g1 is
expressed as a decimal).
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• The tangent offset between
the grade line and the curve is
given by ax², where x is the
horizontal distance from the
BVC; that is, tangent offsets
are proportional to the squares
of the horizontal distances.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• The elevation of a crest curve at
distance x from the BVC is given by
BVC + g1x – ax² = curve elevation.
(The sign is reversed in a sag curve.)
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• The grade lines (g1 and g2)
intersect midway between the
BVC and the EVC; that is,
BVC to V = 1/2 L = V to EVC.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• Offsets from the two grade
lines are symmetrical with
respect to the PVI (V).
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
• The curve lies midway
between the PVI and the
midpoint of the chord; that is,
CM = MV.
• the midpoint of the chord
elevation can be computed as
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Highest or Lowest Point

• To investigate drainage
conditions, clearance beneath
overhead structures, cover over
pipes, or sight distance, it may be
necessary to determine the
elevation and location of the low
(or high) point on a vertical curve.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Highest or Lowest Point • At the low or high point, a tangent
to the curve will be horizontal and
its slope equal to zero.
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Highest or Lowest Point

• where X is the distance from the BVC to

the high or low point of the curve
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Highest or Lowest Point

• If X is the measured from the EVC to

the high or low point of the curve

𝑔2 𝐿
𝑋= 𝑔2 −𝑔1
2
= 𝜋𝑟
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Example 1

You are given the following information: L =300 ft, g1=–3.2%, g2=1.8%,
PVI at 30 +30 with elevation =465.92 Determine the following:
a. Algebraic difference in grades, A
b. Stationing and elevation of BVC and EVC
c. Stationing of the lowest point
d. Midchord elevation
e. Tangent offset at PVI
f. Tangent grade-line elevation for each required station.
g. Tangent offsets and curve elevation per station
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Example 1

A grade g1 of +3.00% intersects grade g2 of -2.40% at a vertex whose

station and elevation are 46 + 70 and 853.48 ft, respectively. An equal-
tangent parabolic curve 600 ft long has been selected to join the two
tangents.
• Compute the stationing of BVC and EVC.
• Compute the station and elevation of the curve’s high point
• Compute the curve elevation per station
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
QUIZ!!!

A descending grade of 4.2%intersect an ascending grade of 3% at

station 11+488 of elevation 20.8 m. These two grade lines are to be
connected by a 260m parabolic sag curve.
a. Where should be the location of drainage pipe from the PT
b. At what station is the cross-drainage pipe be situated?
c. If the outside dimension of the pipe to be installed is 95cm and the
top of the pipe culvert is 30cm below the curve, what is the invert
elevation?
 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
SAMPLE PROBLEM

A grade of -5% is followed by a grade of +1%, the change of grade is

restricted to 0.4% in 20 m. Compute the length of the vertical curve.
UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Tangent Offset at PVI (PI), H

2𝐻 𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )
=
𝐿1 𝐿1 + 𝐿2

g2g1
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐 (𝒈𝟏 − 𝒈𝟐 )
𝑯=
𝟐(𝑳𝟏 + 𝑳𝟐 )

1
ℎ1 = ℎ2 = 𝐻
4
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Tangent Offset at any point on the curve, y

From BVC (PC) to PVI (PI)

𝒚 𝑯
𝟐
=
x 𝒙 𝑳𝟏 𝟐
g2g1
y
From EVC (PT) to PVI (PI)

𝒚 𝑯
𝟐
=
𝒙 𝑳𝟐 𝟐
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Location of the Highest Point from PC, S1

𝑺𝟏

𝑳𝟏
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Location of the Highest Point from BVC (PC), S1
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Location of the Highest Point from EVC (PT), S2
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Location of the Highest Point from EVC (PT), S2

𝐿 𝑔
When 1 1 > 𝐻, the highest of lowest point is
2
located on the right side of the curve use 𝑆2
Otherwise, use 𝑆1
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
EXAMPLE

An unsymmetrical parabolic curve connects a 4.2% grade and a -3.4%

grade. The length of curve on the left side of the vertex is 80 m and 110
m on the other side. If the stationing of the point of intersection is 4+460
and its elevation is 145.2m. Determine the following:
a. Location of the summit from PT
b. Stationing of the summit
c. Elevation of the summit
GENG 133c
CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS

CHAPTER III
HIGHWAY CURVES
(CONT.)
by: Engr. Diana Christa G. Milloza
dcgmilloza
 SIGHT DISTANCE
• Sight distance is the length of roadway ahead visible to the driver
• For purpose of design and operation it is termed as:
• Stopping Sight Distance and Passing Sight Distance
 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
• the distance required, for a given “design speed,” to safely stop a vehicle thus
avoiding a collision with an unexpected stationary object in the roadway ahead. It
is the total distance traveled during three times interval:
• The time the driver perceived the hazard
• The time to react (Average driver reaction time is ¾ seconds, based on NSC)
• The time to stop the vehicle after the brakes are applied
 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
• the distance required, for a given “design speed,” to safely stop a vehicle thus
avoiding a collision with an unexpected stationary object in the roadway ahead. It
is the total distance traveled during three times interval:
• The time the driver perceived the hazard
• The time to react (Average driver reaction time is ¾ seconds, based on NSC)
• The time to stop the vehicle after the brakes are applied

Safe Stopping Distance

 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
S = Vt + D
• Vt = Distance traversed during the perception
• V is the running speed of the vehicle
• t is the reaction time (perception + action time)
• D = Distance required for stopping after brakes are applied (braking distance)

Safe Stopping Distance

 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
BRAKING DISTANCE

W W
V1 V2

F = fN

N D
 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
BRAKING DISTANCE 1 1
𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 − 𝑁𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝑚 𝑉22 − 𝑚𝑉12
2 2
1𝑊
𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 − 𝑁𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = (𝑉22 − 𝑉12 )
2 𝑔
1𝑊
0 − 𝑁𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = (0 − 𝑉12 )
2 𝑔
1𝑊
0 − 𝐷𝐹 = (0 − 𝑉12 )
2 𝑔
W W
𝐕𝟐 𝑊𝑉 2
V1 V2 𝐃= 𝐷𝑓𝑁 =
1
𝟐𝐠𝐟 2𝑔
𝟐 𝑊𝑉12
F = fN 𝐕 𝐷𝑓𝑊 =
𝐃 = 𝟐𝐠(𝟑.𝟔𝟐)𝐟 meters 2𝑔
𝑽𝟐𝟏
N D 𝑫=
𝟐𝒈𝒇
 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
BRAKING DISTANCE
𝐕𝟐 𝐕𝟐
𝐃= = 𝟐
𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝟐𝐠 (𝐟 ± 𝐆) 𝟐𝐠 (𝟑. 𝟔 )(𝐟 ± 𝐆)

+G -G

Safe Stopping Distance

 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE

𝐕𝟐 𝑽𝒕 𝐕𝟐
S = Vt + D = 𝐕𝐭 + = + 𝟐
𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝟐𝐠 (𝐟 ± 𝐆) 𝟑. 𝟔 𝟐𝐠 (𝟑. 𝟔 )(𝐟 ± 𝐆)

S = Stopping distance
t = perception-reaction time
V = velocity of vehicle
f = coefficient of friction between tires and pavement
g = gravitational acceleration = 9.81 m/s
 SIGHT DISTANCE ON
VERTICAL CURVES
• Given the grades of two intersecting tangent sections, the length of vertical
curve used to provide a transition from one to the other fixes the sight distance.
• A longer curve provides a greater sight distance.
• If S < L
𝒈 𝟏 − 𝒈𝟐 𝐒 𝟐 Where
𝐋= S = Sight distance
𝟏𝟎𝟎 ( 𝟐𝒉𝟏 + 𝟐𝒉𝟐 ) 𝟐
L = length of vertical curve
• If S > L h1 = height of driver’s eye from
road pavement
h2 = height of object over the
𝟏𝟎𝟎 ( 𝟐𝒉𝟏 + 𝟐𝒉𝟐 )𝟐
𝐋 = 𝟐𝐒 − pavement ahead
𝒈𝟏 − 𝒈 𝟐 g1 = slope at BVC or PC
g2 = slope at EVC or PT
 MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE

• to allow faster moving

vehicles to pass slower
moving ones. In sections of
highway that do not provide
ample passing sight
distances, appropriate
centerline markings and
signs are used to inform
drivers of this condition.
 SIGHT DISTANCE ON
VERTICAL CURVES
EXAMPLE
A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of +2.8% and -1.6%. A motorist whose
eyesight is 1.5 m above the roadway sighted the top of visible object 100 mm at
the right side of the summit. Calculate the length of curve for a sight distance of
130 m.
 SIGHT DISTANCE ON
VERTICAL CURVES
EXAMPLE
A 5% grade intersects a -3.4%grade at station 1+990 of elevation 42.30 m. Design
a vertical summit symmetrical parabolic curve connecting the two tangent grades
to conform with the following safe stopping sight distance specifications.
1. Design velocity = 60 kph
2. Height of driver’s eye from road pavement = 1.37 m
3. Height of object over the pavement ahead = 100 mm.
4. Perception-reaction time = ¾ sec.
5. Coefficient of friction between the road pavements and the tires = 0.15

Determine the stationing of PC and PT.

 SIGHT DISTANCE ON
VERTICAL CURVES
QUIZ
A vertical curve connects a +5% grade to a -4% grade as shown. The station of
the point of vertical intersection of the tangents is at 72+000 and the elevation of
the point of intersection is 100 m. Determine the length of curve for a sight
distance of 150 m, the height of the observer being 1.5 m above the pavement. If
on the right side of the summit of the curve is an object having a height of 0.60 m,
what would be the non passing sight distance and its stationing
assignment

dcgmilloza
 Reading Assignment

Sight Distance on Horizontal Curves

 SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE

A descending grade of 4.2%intersect an ascending grade of 3% at

station 11+488 of elevation 20.8 m. These two grade lines are to be
connected by a 260m parabolic sag curve.
a. Where should be the location of drainage pipe from the PT
b. At what station is the cross-drainage pipe be situated?
c. If the outside dimension of the pipe to be installed is 95cm and the
top of the pipe culvert is 30cm below the curve, what is the invert
elevation?
Two tangents AB and BC intersect at an angle of
24°. A point P is located 21.03 m from point B
and has a perpendicular distance of 2.79 m from
line AB.
a) Calculate the radius of the simple curve
connecting the two tangents and passing point P.
b) Find the length of chord connecting PC and point
P.
c) Compute the area bounded by the curve and the
tangent lines.
references

dcgmilloza
Kavanagh, B., 2010, ‘Surveying with Construction
Applications 7th ed.’, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing
as Prentice Hall, New Jersey

Schofield W. and M. Breach, 2007, ‘Engineering Surveying

6th ed.’, Elsevier Ltd., UK

Wolf, P. R. & Ghilani, C.D. 2002, “Elementary Surveying:

Introduction to Geomatics”, 10th edition.