MODULE IV

PART 1- CURVE SURVEYING

Elements of simple and compound curve, Method of setting out angular method, Elements of reverse
curve(introduction),Elements of transition curve, Vertical curve(introduction)

Curves: These are generally used on highways and railways where it is necessary to change the direction
of motion. It may be circular parabolic, spiral and is always tangential to the two straight directions.

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.

Circular curves are classified as :

(i) Simple Curves.

(ii) Compound Curves.
(iii) Reverse Curves.

Simple curve

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

Compound curve

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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Reverse Curve

A reverse curve is made up of two arcs having equal or different radii bending in opposite direction with
a common tangent at their junction. Their centres lie on opposite sides of the curve. Reverse curves are
used when the straights are parallel or intersect at a very small angle.

DEFINITION AND NOTATIONS

• Back tangent(first tangent): Tangent previous to the curve (AT1)

• Forward tangent (second tangent): tangent following the curve (T2B)

• Point of intersection (vertex): point of intersection (PI) of tangent AT1 and T2B

• Point of curve (PC): beginning of curve where alignment changes from a tangent to a curve

• Point of tangency (PT): end of curve where alignment changes from a curve to a tangent

• Intersection angle or external deflection angle (Δ): the angle V‟VB between the tangent AV
produced and VB

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• Deflection angle: it is the angle at point of curve between the back tangent and chord from point
of curve to point on the curve

• Tangent distance (T): Distance between PC to PI or distance between PI to PT

• External distance (E): distance from mid-point of curve to the PI

• Length of curve (L): total length of curve from PC to PT

• Long chord: chord joining PC to PT

• Mid ordinate(M): ordinate from the mid-point of the long chord to the mid-point of the curve

• Normal chord(C): chord between two successive regular station on a curve

• Sub-chord: any chord shorter than the normal chord

• Right hand curve: Curve deflects to the right of the direction of progress of survey

• Left hand curve: Curve deflects to the left of the direction of progress of survey

DESIGNATION OF CURVE

• Sharpness of curve is designated by its radius or by its degree of curvature

• Degree of curvature is defined either by arc definition or by chord

definition By arc Definition: Central angle of curve subtended by an arc of 100 ft

length

5370/R

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By chord definition: central angle subtended by chord of 100 ft length
5370/R

Central angle of curve subtended by an arc (or chord) of 20 m length

1146/R

ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

• Length of the curve (l) =T1CT2 = RΔ

• Tangent length (T) = T1V = VT2 = R tanΔ/2

• Length of long chord (L) = T1T2 = 2R sin Δ/2

• Apex distance or external distance (E) = CV = VO – CO = Rsec Δ/2- R

• Mid- ordinate (M) or versed sin of the curve = CD = Co – DO = R- R Cos Δ/2

SETTING OUT SIMPLE CURVE

Methods:

• Linear methods: only chain or tape is used. This method is used when high degree of
accuracy is not required and when the curve is short
• Angular method or Instrument method: instrument such as theodolite is used with or
without a chain or tape
Instrumental Methods

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1. Rankine‟s Method of tangential (or deflection) angle
2. Two theodolite method
3. Tacheometric method

Rankine‟s Method of tangential (or deflection) angle

Deflection angle to any point on a circular curve is measured by half the angle subtended by the arc
from P.C to that point

Procedure:

• Set up theodolite at the point of curvature (T1). With both plates clamped to zero, direct
theodolite to bisect the pint of intersection (V). The line of sight is thus in the direction of rear tangent
• Release vernier plate and set angle Δ1 on the vernier. The line of sight is thus directed along
the chord T1A

• With zero end of tape pointed at T1 and an arrow held at a distance of T1A along it, swing
the tape around T1 till the arrow is bisected by the cross hairs of theodolite. Thus first point A is fixed.
• Set up second deflection angle Δ2 on the vernier so that the line of sight is directed along T1B
• With zero end of tape pointed at A, and an arrow held at adistnace AB along it. Swing the
tape around A till the arrow is bisected by cross hairs, thus fixing point B
• Repeat these steps till the lats point T2 is reached
• Check: last point must coincide with the point of tangency (T2)

This method is used for setting put circular curves of large radius and of considerable length

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Two theodolite method

• Set up one transit at P.C (T1) and the other at P.T (T2)
• With zero reading, direct the line of sight at T1 towards V. similarly direct the line of sight
of other transit at T2 towards T1. Thus both the transit are correctly oriented
• Set the deflection angle for the first point on both transit. The line of sight of both theodolite
are thus directed towards A along T1A and T2A

• Fix the point A with the help of a ranging rod or an arrow, where both the line of sight is
intersecting
• To fix point B, set deflection angle for the second point on both the instrument and bisect
the ranging rod.
• Repeat these steps for all other

points This method is expensive. But it is most

accurate

Tacheometric method
• Set the Tacheometer at T1 and sight the point of intersection V when the reading is zero.

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The line of sight is thus oriented towards the rear tangent
• Set the angle Δ1 on the tacheometer, thus directing tacheometer along T1A.
• Calcuate the staff intercept corresponding to length of chord T1A as follows

• Direct a staffmanto move in the direction of T1A till the calculated staff intercept s1 is
obtained.Thus first point is fixed.
• Set the angle Δ2 on the tacheometer, thus directing tacheometer along T1B. Calculate the
staff intercept corresponding to T1B
• Direct a staffmanto move in the direction of T1B till the calculated staff intercept s2 is
obtained.Thus first point is fixed.
• Fix other points similarly

Elements of compound curve

Two centred point curve having two circular arcsT1D and DT2 meeting at a common point D known
as the point of compound curvature (PCC). T1 is the point of curve (PC) and T2 is the point of tangency
(PT) O1 and O2 are the centres of two arcs

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Problem 1

Two straights AB and BC are intersected by a line D1D2 as shown in fig. The angles BD1D2 and BD2D1 are
400 30‟ and 360 24‟ respectively. The radius of first arc is 600 m and that of second arc is 800 m. if the chainage
of point of intersection, B is 8248 m. Find the chainage of tangent points and the point of compound curvature.

Solution: Angle BD1D2 = Δ1 = 400 30‟ Angle BD2D1 = Δ2 = 360 24‟ Δ = Δ1 + Δ2 = 400 30‟ + 360 24‟ = 760
54

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Problem

The following data refers to a compound curve Total deflection angle = 930 Degree of first curve = 40
Degree of second curve = 50 Point of intersection at 45 + 61 Determine the chainage of tangent points and
point of compound cutvature, given that the later point is 6 + 24 from the point of intersection at back angle
of 2900 36‟ from the first tange

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REVERSE CURVE

Elements of reverse curve

• Reverse curve consist of two simple curve of opposite direction that join at a common tangent
point called the point of reverse curvature (PRC).
Used in mountainous countries, and in layout of railway spur tracks and cross over. Use of reverse curve
should be avoided on highways
T1 – point of curvature (PC)

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E – point of reverse curvature (PRC)
T2 – point of tangency (PT)
O1 and O2 are the centres of the two branches

BD – common tangent

TRANSITION CURVE

Transition curve is a curve of varying radius introduced between a straight line and a circular curve, or
between two branches of a compound curve
Function of transition curve

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 • To accomplish gradually the transition from tangent to the circular curve so that the curvature
is gradually increased

• To gradually introduce super elevation

• For smooth entry of vehicle into the curve

• To minimize the sudden effect of centrifugal force

Requirements of transition curve

• It should be tangential to the straight

• It should meet the circular curve tangentially

• Curvature should be zero at the origin on straight and curvature should be same as that of
circular curve at the other end

• Rate of increase of curvature should be same as that of increase of super elevation

• Length should be such that full super elevation (cant) is attained at the end where it meets
circular curve

Elements of transition curve

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TD2 – origin tangent

D – end of transition curve and beginning of circular curve DD1 – tangent common to transition curve
and circular curve DB – extended portion of circular curve
TD2 – co-ordinate of junction point D R – radius of circular curve

Length of transition curve

There are three methods:

1. By an arbitrary Gradient
2. BY the time rate
3. By the rate of change of radial acceleration


By arbitrary gradient

Considering superelevation
P= Wv*v/gR
e+f= v*v/gR
Superelevation is provided at an arbitary rate 1 in n
Length of transition curve= ne
L= 1.18 nV*V/R

By time rate method

 Time taken by a vehicle to pass the TC=t= L/v seconds

 Superelevation attained at this time= t*r
 L*r/v= e
 L= ev/r
 Substituting the value of e as 1.18V*V/R
 L= 0.327 V*V*V/(R*r) m

Rate of change of radial acceleration

 Time taken by a vehicle to pass the TC=t= L/v seconds
 Accn attained in the time= αt= α L/v
 Radial accn of circular curve= v*v/R
 v*v/R= α L/v
 L= v*v*v/ αR

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Type of transition curve:

Spiral (clothoid) – ideal transition

curve Leminscate

Cubic parabola

VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are provided at the intersection of two different gradients. Either a circular arc or a
parabola may be used.

Types of vertical curves:

1. Summit curve (crest curve) – convexity upward

2. Valley curve (sag curve) – concavity upward

Summit curve (crest curve) – convexity upward

An Upgrade followed by a downgrade

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Up grade followed by an up grade

A downgrade followed by another downgrade

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 Valley curve (sag curve) – concavity upward

An upgrade followed by another upgrade

A downgrade followed by another downgrade

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