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H I G H W AY A N D
RAILROAD
ENGINEERING
MODULE 2 –
C O M P O U N D C U RV E

Prepared by:

Engr. Kurt Harvey D. Banayo

BSCE Instructor
1

COMPOUND CURVES
A compound curve consists of two (or
more) circular curves between two main tangents
joined at point of compound curve (PCC). Curve
at PC is designated as 1 (R1, L1,T1, etc) and curve
at PT is designated as 2 (R2, L2,T2, etc).

PC = point of curvature

PT = point of tangency

PI = point of intersection 1

PCC = point of compound curve

T1 = length of tangent of the first curve

T2 = length of tangent of the second curve

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 2
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COMPOUND CURVES
V1 = vertex of the first curve

V2 = vertex of the second curve

I1 = central angle of the first curve

I2 = central angle of the second curve

I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2

Lc1 = length of first curve

Lc2 = length of second curve

θ = 180° - I

x and y can be found from triangle V1-V2-PI.

L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT 𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 3

COMPOUND CURVES

Sta of PT:

= Sta. of PC + Lc1 + Lc2

= Sta. of PI – x – T1 + Lc1 + Lc2

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 4
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EXAMPLE 2.1
The common tangent AB of a compound curve is 82.38m. The angles the common tangent makes with
the tangents through PC and PT of the compound curve are 21o10’ and 15o20’, respectively. If the
degree of the first curve is 3°30’, what is the degree of the second curve?
1145.916 1145.916
𝑅 = 𝑅 = 𝑅 = 327.40 𝑚
𝐷 3°30′
82.38 m 𝐼 21°10′
𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 327.40𝑡𝑎𝑛
2 2

𝑇 = 61.17 𝑚 𝑇 + 𝑇 = 82.38

61.17 + 𝑇 = 82.38 𝑇 = 21.21 𝑚

𝐼 15°20′
𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 21.21 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛
2 2
1145.916
𝑅 = 157.56 𝑚 𝑅 =
𝐷

1145.916 𝐷 = 7.27°
157.56 =
𝐷 5
𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵

EXAMPLE 2.2
The common tangent AB of a compound curve is 76.42m with an azimuth of 268°30’. The vertex V
being inaccessible. The azimuth of tangents AV and VB was measured to be 247o50’ and 282o50’
respectively. If the stationing of A is 43+010.46 and the degree of the first curve was fixed at 4o based
on the 20m chord, using chord basis. Determine the stationing of PC, PCC and PT.

O 𝐼 = 268°30 − 247°50 𝐼 = 20°40

𝐼
𝑅 𝜃 = 360° − 282°50 + 247°50 − 180° 𝜃 = 145°

𝑅 𝐼 𝐼 = 180° − 20°40 − 145° 𝐼 = 14°20′

𝑃𝐶

𝑇 𝐷 10
𝑃𝑇 𝐼 = 20°40 + 14°20′ 𝐼 = 35° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 =
𝑃𝐶𝐶 A 2 𝑅 3
𝑇 20°40′
B 14°20′ 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 43 + 010.46 4 10 𝐼
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑅 = 286.54 𝑚 𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛
145° 2 𝑅 2
35°
V 20°40
𝑇 = 286.54𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 52.25 𝑚
2

𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝐶 = 43,010.46 − 52.25 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝐶 = 42 + 958.21

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 6
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EXAMPLE 2.2
𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿𝑐 2𝜋 286.54
= = 𝐿𝑐 = 103.36 𝑚
O 𝐼 360 20°40′ 360
𝐼
286.54
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 42,958.21 + 103.36 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 43 + 061.57
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 42 + 958.21
𝑅 𝐼
𝑃𝐶
𝑇 + 𝑇 = 76.42 52.25 + 𝑇 = 76.42 𝑇 = 24.17 𝑚
52.25
𝑃𝑇 𝐼 14°20′
𝑃𝐶𝐶 A 𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 24.17 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝑇 20°40′
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 43 + 010.46 2 2
B 14°20′

145°
𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿𝑐 2𝜋 192.22
35°
𝑅 = 192.22 𝑚 = =
V 𝐼 360 14°20′ 360

𝐿𝑐 = 48.09 𝑚 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝑇 = 43,061.57 + 48.09

𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝑃𝑇 = 43 + 109.66

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 7

EXAMPLE 2.3
The long chord from the P.C to P.T. of a compound curve is 300 meters long and the angles it make
with the longer and shorter tangents are 12o and 15o respectively. If the common tangent is parallel
to the long chord:
a. Find the longer radius of the compound curve.
b. Find the shorter radius of the compound curve.
c. If the stationing of PC is at 10 + 204.30, find the stationing of PT.

4
𝐵𝐶 300
= 𝐵𝐶 = 134.33 𝑚
𝑠𝑖𝑛 6 𝑠𝑖𝑛 166°30′

𝐴𝐶 300
= 𝐴𝐶 = 167.74 𝑚
𝑠𝑖𝑛 7°30′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 166°30′

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 8
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EXAMPLE 2.3

𝐿 167.74
𝐼 12 𝑅 = 802.37 𝑚
sin = 2 sin = 2
2 𝑅 2 𝑅

𝐿 134.33
𝐼 15 𝑅 = 514.57 𝑚
sin = 2 sin = 2
2 𝑅 2 𝑅

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 9

EXAMPLE 2.3
𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿𝑐 2𝜋 802.37
= =
𝐼 360 12 360

𝐿𝑐 = 168.05 𝑚

𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿𝑐 2𝜋 514.57
= =
𝐼 360 15 360

𝐿𝑐 = 134.71 𝑚

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 10,204.3 + 𝐿𝑐 + 𝐿𝑐 5

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 10,204.3 + 168.05 + 134.71

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑇 = 10 + 507.06

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 10
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EXAMPLE 2.4
𝑃𝐼
𝐼
The engineer designed a railroad curve that runs a 6˚
curve to the PCC, 300m long from the PC of the 𝜃

compound curve. Then from the PCC, a 1˚40’ curve

was run towards the PT, and had a length equal to
600m long. Use arc basis.
a. Determine the length of the long chord 𝐼
connecting the PC and PT. 𝑃𝐶𝐶
b. Find the angle that the long chord makes with 𝐿 𝐼
the first tangent. 𝑃𝐶
c. Find the angle that the long chord makes with 𝐿
the second tangent. 𝑅 𝐿

1145.916 1145.916
𝑅 = 𝑅 = 𝑅 = 190.986 𝑚 𝑃𝑇
𝐷 6

𝑅
1145.916 1145.916 𝑅 = 687.55 𝑚
𝑅 = 𝑅 =
𝐷 1°40′ 𝑂

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 11

EXAMPLE 2.4 𝑃𝐼
𝐼
𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 300 2𝜋 190.986
= = 𝐼 = 90° 𝜃
𝐼 360 𝐼 360

𝐿𝑐 2𝜋𝑅 600 2𝜋 687.55

= = 𝐼 = 50°
𝐼 360 𝐼 360
𝐼
𝐼 90
𝐿 = 2𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = 2 190.986 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = 270.095 𝑚 𝑃𝐶𝐶
2 2
𝐿 𝐼
𝐼 50 𝑃𝐶
𝐿 = 2𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = 2 687.55 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = 581.142 𝑚
2 2 𝐿
𝐿

𝐼 𝐼 6
𝛼 = 180 − −
𝛼 2 2 𝑃𝑇

90 50
𝛼 = 180 − −
𝐿
2 2
𝑂
𝛼 = 110°

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 12
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EXAMPLE 2.4 𝑃𝐼
𝐼
𝐿 = 270.095 + 581.142 − 2 270.095 581.142 𝑐𝑜𝑠 110 𝐿 = 719.755 𝑚
𝜃
sin 𝛽 sin 110
= 𝛽 = 49.352°
581.142 719.755
90 = 94.352°
𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 = + 49.352
2 𝐼
sin 𝛾 sin 110 𝛾 = 20.648°
= 𝑃𝐶𝐶
270.095 719.755 𝐿 𝐼
𝑃𝐶
50
𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 = + 20.648 𝐿
2 𝐿
= 45.648°
110° 𝑃𝑇
𝛽

𝐿
𝛾
𝑂

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 13

EXAMPLE 2.5
Given the following compound curve with the 𝑉
vertex V, inaccessible: Angles VAD and VDA are 29°50′
equal to 16˚20’ and 13˚30’, respectively.
Stationing A is at 1 + 125.98. Degrees of the 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 1 + 125.98
curve are 3˚30’ for the first curve and 4˚ for the 𝐴
second curve. 𝑇
16°20′
𝑇
a. It is desired to substitute the compound
curve with a simple curve that shall end 𝑃𝐶 𝑃𝐶𝐶 𝑇
13°30′
𝐷
with the same PT. Determine the total
length of the curve of the simple curve. 𝑇
13°30′
b. It is desired to substitute the compound 𝑃𝑇 7
curve with a simple curve that shall be 𝑅
𝑅
tangent to the two tangent lines as well as
the common tangent AD. What is the radius 16°20′
of the simple curve?
c. What is the stationing of the new PC in situ 𝑂
(b)?

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 14
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EXAMPLE 2.5
1145.916 1145.916
𝑅 = 𝑅 = 𝑅 = 327.405 𝑚 𝑉
𝐷 3°30′
29°50′
150°10′
1145.916 1145.916 𝑅 = 286.479 𝑚
𝑅 = 𝑅 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎. 1 + 125.98
𝐷 4° 𝐴
16°20′
𝑃𝐶 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
𝑇
𝐼 16°20′ 𝑇
𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 327.405 𝑡𝑎𝑛
2 2 𝑃𝐶 13°30′
𝑃𝐶𝐶 𝑇 𝐷
𝐼
𝑇 = 46.985 𝑚 𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑅
2 𝑇
13°30′
13°30′ 𝑂′ 𝑃𝑇
𝑇 = 286.479 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑇 = 33.907 𝑚 𝑅
2 𝑅

𝐴𝐷 = 𝑇 + 𝑇 𝐴𝐷 = 46.985 + 33.907 16°20′

𝑉𝐴 80.892
𝐴𝐷 = 80.892 𝑚 = 𝑂
sin 13°30′ sin 150°10′

𝑉𝐴 = 37.959 𝑚
𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 15

EXAMPLE 2.5
𝑉𝐷 80.892 𝑉
= 𝑉𝐷 = 45.728 𝑚
sin 16°20′ sin 150°10′
29°50′
150°10′
𝑇 = 𝑉𝐷 + 𝑇 𝑇 = 45.728 + 33.907 𝑇 = 79.635 𝑚
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 1 + 125.98
𝐴
𝐼 29°50′ 16°20′
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 79.635 = 𝑅 tan 𝑃𝐶 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
2 2 𝑇
𝑃𝐶 13°30′
𝑃𝐶𝐶
𝑅 = 298.94 𝑚 𝐷
𝑅
𝑇 = 33.907
13°30′
𝐿 2𝜋𝑅 𝐿 2𝜋 298.94 𝑂′ 𝑃𝑇
= = 8
𝐼 360 29°50′ 360

16°20′
𝐿 = 155.655 𝑚

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 16
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EXAMPLE 2.5
𝑇 + 𝑇 = 80.892 𝑉

𝐼 16°20′ 29°50′
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 150°10′
2 2
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 1 + 125.98
𝐼 13°30′ 𝐴
16°20′
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 𝑇 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
2 2
𝑃𝐶 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
𝑃𝐶 13°30′
16°20′ 13°30′ 𝑃𝐶𝐶
𝐷
𝑅 tan + 𝑅 tan = 80.892
2 2 𝑇 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
13°30′ 𝑃𝑇 (𝑛𝑒𝑤)
𝑅 = 308.906 𝑚 𝑅 𝑃𝑇
𝑅
16°20′ 16°20′ 𝑅
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 𝑇 = 308.906 tan
2 2 𝑂′′
16°20′
𝑇 = 44.331 𝑚 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝐴 − 𝑇
𝑂
𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 1125.98 − 44.331 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 1 + 081.649

𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑅. 𝐾𝐻𝐵 17

THANK YOU! :)

-El Profesor

18