03/10/2021

H I G H W AY A N D
RAILROAD
ENGINEERING
MODULE 1
S I M P L E C U RV E S
Prepared by:

Engr. Kurt Harvey D. Banayo

BSCE Instructor

TYPES OF CURVE

HORIZONTAL CURVE VERTICAL CURVE

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TYPES OF HORIZONTAL CURVE

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TYPES OF VERTICAL CURVE

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SIMPLE CURVE
The formulas we are about to
present need not be memorized.
All we need is geometry plus
names of all elements in simple
curve. Note that we are only
dealing with circular arc, it is in
our great advantage if we deal it
at geometry level rather than
memorize these formulas.

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TERMINOLOGIES IN SIMPLE CURVE

PC = Point of curvature. It is the beginning of curve.
PT = Point of tangency. It is the end of curve. PI 𝐼
PI = Point of intersection of the tangents. Also called
vertex.
T = Length of tangent from PC to PI and from PI to PT. It
is known as subtangent.
R = Radius of simple curve, or simply radius. T
E
T
L = Length of chord from PC to PT. Point Q as shown in
the drawing is the midpoint of L. x
M
Lc = Length of curve from PC to PT. Point M in the figure
𝜃
is the midpoint of Lc.
m
m = Middle ordinate, the distance from midpoint of
𝐼/2
curve to midpoint of chord. PC 𝐿/2 Q 𝐿/2 PT
E = External distance, the distance from PI to the 2𝜃 R-m
midpoint of the curve. 𝐼 𝐼/2
R R
I = Central angle (also called angle of intersection). It
is the angle of intersection of the tangents. The angle
Back Tangent O Forward tangent
subtended by PC and PT at O is also equal to I,
where O is the center of the circular curve from the
figure shown.
x = offset distance from tangent to the curve. Note: x is perpendicular to T.
θ = deflection/offset angle subtended at PC between PI and any point in the curve 6
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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

D = Degree of curve. It is the central angle subtended by a length
of curve equal to one station. In English system, one station is
equal to 100 ft and in SI, one station is equal to 20 m. A small
degree of curve produces a large radius and vice versa.

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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

For SI units only:

.
R=

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FORMULAS FOR SIMPLE CURVE

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MINIMUM RADIUS OF CURVATURE

Vehicle traveling on a horizontal curve may either skid or overturn off the road due to centrifugal
force. Side friction f and superelevation e are the factors that will stabilize this force. The
superelevation e = tan θ and the friction factor f = tan ϕ. The minimum radius of curve so that the
vehicle can round the curve without skidding is determined as shown in the figure below.

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MINIMUM RADIUS OF CURVATURE

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MINIMUM RADIUS OF CURVATURE

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EXAMPLE 1.1
The angle of intersection of a circular curve is 45º30’ and its radius is 198.17 m. PC is at Sta. 0+700. Compute the
right angle offset from Sta. 0+736.58 on the curve to tangent through PC

𝑠 = 736.58 − 700 = 36.58 𝑚

PI 45°30′
𝑠 2𝜋𝑅 36.58 2𝜋 198.17
= =
2𝜃 360 2𝜃 360
2𝜃 = 10°34 34.21"

198.17 − 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 =
198.17
x Sta. 0+736.58
198.17 − 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 10°34 34.21" =
s 198.17
Sta. 0+700 y 𝑥 = 3.37 𝑚
PC PT

2𝜃
198.17m

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EXAMPLE 1.2
The angle of intersection of a circular curve is 36º30’. Compute the radius if the external distance is 12.02 m.

𝐼 𝑅
PI 36°30′ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 =
2 𝑅+𝐸
36°30′ 𝑅
𝑐𝑜𝑠 =
2 𝑅 + 12.02

12.02m 𝑅 = 226.94 𝑚

PC R PT

𝐼/2
R

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EXAMPLE 1.3
Given the following elements of a circular curve: middle ordinate = 2m; length of chord = 70m. Find the degree of
the curve using arc basis.

𝑅−2 + 35 = 𝑅
PI

𝑅 = 307.25 𝑚

20 2𝜋𝑅
=
E 𝐷 360

20 2𝜋 307.25
=
𝐷 360

2m 𝐷 = 3.73°
PC 35m 35m PT

R-2
R

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EXAMPLE 1.4
The offset distance from PC to PT of a simple curve is 18 m. The angle of intersection of the tangents is 24º. If the
stationing of PT is at 45+158.32, what is the stationing of PI?
𝐼 𝑥 24 18
PI 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝐿 = 86.575 𝑚
24° 2 𝐿 2 𝐿
𝐼 𝐿/2 24 86.575
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 𝑇 = 44.255 𝑚
2 𝑇 2 2𝑇

𝐼 𝑇 24 44.255
𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 𝑅 = 208.203 𝑚
𝑇 𝑇 2 𝑅 2 𝑅

x = 18m 𝐿 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿 2𝜋 208.203

= = 𝐿 = 87.212 𝑚
𝐼 360 24 360

Sta. 45+158.32 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐼 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 − 𝐿 + 𝑇

𝐼/2
PC 𝐿/2 𝐿/2 PT
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐼 = 45,158.32 − 87.212 + 44.255
𝐼/2
𝐼 R 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐼 = 45 + 115.36

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EXAMPLE 1.5
A simple curve has a central angle of 36º and a degree of the curve of 6º.

a. Find the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the point of intersection of the tangents.
b. Compute the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the midpoint of the long chord joining the point of
curvature and point of tangency.
c. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 10 + 020, compute the stationing of a point on the curve which
intersects with the line making a deflection angle of 8º with the tangent through the P.C.
1145.916 1145.916
𝑅= 𝑅= 𝑅 = 190.986 𝑚
𝐷 6
𝐼 36
𝐸 = 𝑅𝑠𝑒𝑐 −𝑅 𝐸 = 190.986 𝑠𝑒𝑐 − 190.986
2 2
𝐼
𝐸 = 9.83 𝑚 𝑚 = 𝑅 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠
2
36
𝑚 = 190.986 − 190.986 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑚 = 9.35 𝑚
2

𝑠 2𝜋𝑅 𝑠 2𝜋 190.986
= = 𝑠 = 53.33 𝑚
2𝜃 360 2 8 360

𝑆𝑡𝑎 = 10,020 + 53.33 𝑆𝑡𝑎 = 10 + 073.33

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EXAMPLE 1.6
A simple curve of the proposed extension of a highway have a direction of tangent AB which is due north and
tangent BC with a bearing of N 50º E. Point A is at the PC whose stationing is 20+130.46.The degree of the curve
is 4º.

a. Compute the long chord of the curve.

b. Compute the stationing of point D on the curve along a line joining the center of the curve which makes an
angle of 54º with the tangent line passing thru PC.
c. What is the length of the line from D to the intersection with the back tangent?
1145.916 1145.916 𝐼 𝐿/2
𝐸
𝐶 𝑅= 𝑅= 𝑅 = 286.479 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 =
𝐷 4 2 𝑅
54º
50º 50 𝐿/2 𝑠 2𝜋𝑅 𝑠 2𝜋 286.479
𝐷 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝐿 = 242.14 𝑚 = =
𝐵 𝑅 2 286.479 36 360 36 360

𝑠 = 180 𝑚 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐷 = 20130.46 + 180 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐷 = 20 + 310.46

36º
𝐼/2
𝐴 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
𝑂
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 20 + 130.46 𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑠 36 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 36 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 36 =
𝑂𝐸 𝑂𝐷 + 𝐷𝐸 𝑅 + 𝐷𝐸
286.479
𝑐𝑜𝑠 36 = 𝐷𝐸 = 67.63 𝑚
286.479 + 𝐷𝐸
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EXAMPLE 1.7
The tangents of a simple curve have bearings of N 20º E and N 80º E, respectively. The radius of the curve is 200m.

a. Compute the external distance of the curve.

b. Compute the middle ordinate of the curve.
c. Compute the stationing of point A on the curve having a deflection angle of 6º from the PC which is at Sta. 1 +
200.
𝐼 200
𝐸 = 𝑅𝑠𝑒𝑐 −𝑅 𝐸= − 200 𝐸 = 30.94 𝑚
2 60
𝑐𝑜𝑠
2
60º

𝐼 60
𝑚 = 𝑅 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑚 = 200 − 200 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑚 = 26.79 𝑚
6º
𝐴 2 2

2𝜃 𝑠 2𝜋𝑅 𝑠 2𝜋 200
= = 𝑠 = 41.89 𝑚
2𝜃 360 2 6 360

𝑆𝑡𝑎 = 1,200 + 41.89 𝑆𝑡𝑎 = 1 + 241.89

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EXAMPLE 1.8
The tangent distance of a 3º simple curve is only ½ of its radius.

a. Compute the angle of intersection of the curve. 𝑅 = 1145.916 𝑅=

1145.916
𝑅 = 381.972 𝑚
b. Compute the length of the curve. 𝐷 3
c. Compute the area of the fillet of a curve.
𝑅 𝐼 381.972 𝐼
𝑇= 𝑇 = 𝑅𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 381.972 𝑡𝑎𝑛
2 2 2 2

𝑇 𝑇 𝐼 = 53.13º

𝐿 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿 2𝜋 381.972
= = 𝐿 = 354.20 𝑚
𝐼 360 53.13 360

𝑇𝑅 𝜋𝑅 𝐼 𝑅 𝜋𝑅 𝐼
𝐴 = 2 − 𝐴 = −
𝑅 𝑅
2 360 2 360

381.972 𝜋 381.972 53.13

𝐴 = −
2 360

𝐴 = 5304.04 𝑚

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EXAMPLE 1.9
The perpendicular offset distance from point A on a simple curve to Q on the tangent line is 64m. If the distance
from PC to Q on the tangent is 260m:

a. Compute the radius of the simple curve.

b. Compute the length of curve from PC to A.
c. If the angle of intersection of the curve is 68º, compute the length of the chord from PC to PT.
64
68˚ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝜃 = 13.83º 2𝜃 = 27.66º
260
𝑅 − 64 𝑅 − 64
𝑄 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 27.66 = 𝑅 = 560.02 𝑚
64𝑚 𝑅 𝑅
260𝑚
θ 𝐴 𝑠 2𝜋 560.02
𝑠 2𝜋𝑅
= = 𝑠 = 270.35 𝑚
𝑃𝐶 2𝜃 360 27.66 360

𝐼 68
𝐿 = 2𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = 2 560.02 𝑠𝑖𝑛
2θ 2 2

𝐿 = 626.32 𝑚

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EXAMPLE 1.10
A 7˚ circular turnout is to connect a railway track, leading due east, to the mouth of the tunnel which is 70m from
station 7 + 812 as shown on the figure. Use chord basis.

a. Determine the stationing of the point of deviation.

b. Determine the stationing of the mouth of the tunnel.
c. What is the direction of the railway in the tunnel if it used for hauling?

Mouth of tunnel

R - 70
R

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EXAMPLE 1.10
𝐷 10 7 10
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑅 = 163.80 𝑚
2 𝑅 2 𝑅

𝑅 − 70 163.8 − 70
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐼 = 𝐼 = 55.065°
𝑅 163.8

70 70
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐼 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 55.065 = 𝑥 = 48.90 𝑚
𝑥 𝑥
R - 70

𝐼 55.065
𝑇 = 𝑅𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 163.8 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 85.39 m
2 2 R

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐶 = 7,812 − 𝑥 − 𝑇 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐶 = 7,812 − 48.90 − 85.39

𝐿 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿 2𝜋 163.8
𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝐶 = 7 + 677.71 = =
𝐼 360 55.065 360

𝐿 = 157.42 𝑚 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 7,677.71 + 𝐿 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 7,677.71 + 157.42 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 7 + 835.13

𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 90 − 𝐼 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 90 − 55.065 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑆 34.935˚ 𝐸

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THANK YOU! :)

-El Professor

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