30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

H I G H W AY A N D
RAILROAD
ENGINEERING
MODULE 3 –
R E V E R S E D C U RV E S

Prepared by:

Engr. Kurt Harvey D. Banayo

BSCE Instructor
1

REVERSED CURVES

Reversed curve, though pleasing to the eye,

would bring discomfort to motorist running
at design speed. The instant change in
direction at the PRC brought some safety
problems. Despite this fact, reversed curves
are being used with great success on park
roads, formal paths, waterway channels, and 1
the like.

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 2
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

REVERSED CURVES IN ACTUAL

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 3

REVERSED CURVES
PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PRC = point of reversed curvature L
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
1

T2 = length of tangent of the second curve

V1 = vertex of the first curve 2 L
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
Lc1 = length of first curve 2

Lc2 = length of second curve

L1 = length of first chord Finding the stationing of PT:
L2 = length of second chord
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent Sta PT= Sta PC + Lc1 + Lc2
measured from V1 to V2 Sta PT= Sta V1 − T1 + Lc1 + Lc2
𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 4
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

REVERSED CURVES
Reversed Curve for Non-Parallel Tangents

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 5

REVERSED CURVES
Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 6
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

EXAMPLE 3.1
Two parallel tangents 10 m apart are
connected by a reversed curve. The
chord length from the PC to the PT Sta. 3+420
equals 120 m. R
T A
PC I
a. Compute the length of tangent T
with common direction. 10m
b. Determine the equal radii of the 120m T
R PT
reversed curve. B I T
c. Compute the stationing of PRC if
the stationing of A at the
beginning of the tangent with
common direction is 3+420.

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 7

EXAMPLE 3.1
Sin = I= 9.56o

Sin (9.56) = AB = 60.21 m

Sta. 3+420
2T = AB 2T = 60.21 m R
PC T A
𝐼 I
T = 30.105 m T = R tan 2 T
10m
.
30.105 = R tan R = 360.02 m T
120m
R PT
B I T 4
𝐿𝑐 = R 𝜃 𝐿𝑐 = 360.02(9.56o)( )

𝐿𝑐 = 60.07 m
Sta. of PRC: = (3+420) – 30.105 + 60.07
= (3+449.97)
𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 8
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

EXAMPLE 3.2
In a railroad layout, the centerline of
two parallel tracks are connected
with a reversed curve of unequal radii.
Sta. of PC = 15+420 I
The central angle of the first curve is
16o and the distance between parallel PC A R2 = 290m
tracks is 27.60 m. Stationing of the PC I = 16o
is 15+420 and the radius of the 27.60m
L
second curve is 290m.
R1 PT
B I
a. Compute the length of the long
chord from PC to PT.
b. Compute the radius of the first I
curve.
c. Compute the stationing of PT.

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 9

.
EXAMPLE 3.2
Sin(8) = L = 198.31 m
a = R1 – R1cos16 b = R2 – R2cos16
R1(1 - cos16) + R2(1 - cos16) = 27.60 Sta. of PC = 15+420 I
R1(1 - cos16) + 290(1 - cos16) = 27.60 A R2 = 290m R2cos(I)
PC
= 8o I = 16o
R1 = 422.47 m a
27.60m
. ( ) L
Lc1 = Lc1 = 117.98𝑚 b
PT
B I 5
Lc2 =
( ) Lc2 = 80.98m R1cos(I)
R1
Sta. of PT = (15+420) +117.98 + 80.98 a + b = 27.60
I
Sta. of PT = 15+618.96

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 10
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

EXAMPLE 3.3
Two tangents converge at an angle of Sta. of PC = 10+620
30o. The direction of the second
tangent is due east. The distance of
the PC from the second tangent is PC 40o
116.50 m. The bearing of the common 50o
A
tangent is S 40o E. 30o
R 40o 20o R
116.50m
a. Compute the central angle of the 50o 40o
first curve. 30o 30o
b. If a reversed curve is to connect 20o
B PT
these two tangents, determine the
equal radii of the curve.
c. Compute the stationing of the PT
if PC is at sta. 10+620.

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 11

EXAMPLE 3.3
I1 = 90 – 40 - 30 I1 = 20o
Sta. of PC = 10+620
a = Rcos30 – Rcos50 a = 0.223R
b = R – Rcos50 b = 0.357R
PC 40o
0.223R + 0.357R = 116.50 50o
A Rcos50
R = 200.86 m a 30o
R 40o 20o R
. ( ) 116.50m
Lc1 = Rcos30
50o 40o
b
Rcos50 o
Lc1 = 70.11 𝑚 30 30o 6
20o
. ( ) Lc2 = 175.28 𝑚 B PT
Lc2 =
Sta. PT = (10+620) + 70.11 + 175.28 a + b = 116.50
Sta. PT = 10 + 865.39

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 12
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

EXAMPLE 3.4

From the figure shown, compute for I3

the area of the right-of-way of the R3
roadway from A to D, if the given
width of the road is 20m. B
A
R1 = 200 m C
I1 D
R2 = 300 m R1
R3 = 400 m
I1 = 14o R2
I2 = 8o
I2
I3 = 19o

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 13

EXAMPLE 3.4
R1 = 200 m I1 = 14o
R2 = 300 m I2 = 8 o
R3 = 400 m I3 = 19o I3
R3
Lc1 =
( ) Lc1 = 48.87 𝑚
B
Lc2 =
( ) Lc2 = 41.89 𝑚 A
C
I1 D
Lc3 =
( ) Lc3 = 132.65 𝑚 R1

7
Lc = 48.87 + 41.89 + 132.65 R2

Lc = 223.41 m I2

A = 223.41(20) A = 4468.20 sq m

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 14
 30 /1 0 /2 0 2 1

THANK YOU! :)

-El Profesor

15