Advanced Engineering Surveying CE-314

Lecture 01-part 1: Introduction to Curves

Instructor: Engr. Usama Ali
 1. CE-314 ADVANCED ENGINEERING
SURVEYING

Contact Hours Credit Hours

Theory =2 Theory =2
Practical =3 Practical =1
Total =5 Total =3

Pre-requisites: Engineering Surveying

Specific Objectives of course:

 To acquire knowledge of control surveys and their
use in advanced branches of surveying.
 To apply principles of surveying and modern
tools in related field problems.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Learning Taxonomy
S.No. CLOs PLO
Domain level
Carry out necessary calculations for
1. various types of curves, tringulations Cognitive 3 1
and computations in advanced survey.

Explain construction, control,

hydrographic surveys, field
2. astronomy, photogrammetry and GPS Cognitive 2 1
Survey.
Course Content
• Course Outline
• Highway and Railway Curves: Circular curves, deflections and chord calculations Setting out circular curves
by various methods Compound curves, reverse, vertical, parabolic curves Computation of high or low point
on a vertical curve. Design considerations, spiral curves, spiral curve computations Approximate solution for
spiral problems, super elevations
• Construction Surveys: Introduction, horizontal and vertical control Buildings, rail roads, Route surveys.
Pipeline and other construction surveys
• Hydrographic Surveys: Objectives of hydrographic survey and electronic charting Vertical control, depth and
tidal measurements. Position fixing techniques Sounding plan, horizontal control
• Control Surveys: Geodesy universal transverse mercator grid system, Modified transverse mercator grid
system. Lambert projection. Computations for lambert projection
• Field Astronomy: Solar and stellar observations for position and azimuth determination
• Photogrammetry: Introduction, Application of aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, Stereoscopy
• GPS surveying techniques and applications: Survey planning, initial ambiguity resolution Vertical positioning
• Tunnel Surveying: Introduction, Use of gyroscope
Assessment Methods
Assignments 15%
Quizzes 10%
Mid-Term Examination 25%
Final Term Examination 50 %

75 % attendance is mandatory
Introduction to Curves
• Straight (tangent) sections of most types of transportation routes, such as highways,
railroads, and pipelines, are connected by curves in both the horizontal and vertical
planes.
• Curves used in horizontal planes to connect two straight tangent sections are called
horizontal curves.
• Two types are used: circular arcs and spirals.
• A simple curve s a circular arc connecting two tangents. It is the type most often used.
• A compound curve is composed of two or more circular arcs of different radii tangent to
each other, with their centers on the same side of the alignment.
• The combination of a short length of tangent (less than 100 ft) connecting two circular
arcs that have centers on the same side is called a broken-back curve.
• A reverse curve consists of two circular arcs tangent to each other, with their centers on
opposite sides of the alignment.
• Compound, broken-back, and reverse curves are unsuitable for modern high-speed
highway, rapid transit, and railroad traffic and should be avoided if possible. . However,
they are sometimes necessary in mountainous terrain to avoid excessive grades or very
deep cuts and fills.
Simple Curve
Compound Curve

Reverse Curve
Introduction to Curves

• Easement curves are desirable, especially for railroads and rapid transit systems,
to lessen the sudden change in curvature at the junction of a tangent and a
circular curve. A spiral makes an excellent easement curve because its radius
decreases uniformly from infinity at the tangent to that of the curve it meets.
Spirals are used to connect a tangent with a circular curve or a tangent with a
tangent (double spiral), and a circular curve with a circular curve.
• The effect of centrifugal force on a vehicle passing around a curve can be
balanced by superelevation, which raises the outer rail of a track or outer edge of
a highway pavement.
• Properly superelevated spirals ensure smooth and safe riding with less wear on
equipment
 Curves
Classification of Curves
Curves

Horizontal Curves
Vertical Curves

Simple Curves

Compound Curves Circular Curves

Transition Curves

Reverse Curves Spiral Curves

(non-circular curves)
Advanced Engineering Surveying CE-314

Lecture 02: Circular Curves

Instructor: Engr. Usama Ali
Circular Curves, Degree of Curve
• Arc Definition: Degree of curve is the central angle subtended by a
circular arc of 100 ft.
• Chord Definition: By the chord definition, degree of curve is the angle
at the center of a circular arc subtended by a chord of 100 ft.
 Curves
Degree Of Curves
100 feet
1) Arc Definition:
“ The degree of a curve is the
central angle subtended by 100 feet R R
of arc”. D

O
Let R =Radius of Curve
D =Degree ofCurve 100 feet

𝐷 100 D
Then
360
= 2𝜋R R R
2𝜋R
5729.58
R= 𝐷
(feet) 360o
It is used in highways.
 Curves
Degree Of Curves
2) Chord Definition:
“ The degree of curve is the central
angle subtended by 100 feet of chord”.
100 feet
From ∆OPM
M N
𝐷 𝑀 𝑃 50
sin( ) = = 50 ‘ P 50 ‘
2 𝑂𝑀
50 R R
R= (feet) D/2
sin(𝐷 )
2
D
It is used in Railway.
Example: D =1o
1) Arc Def: R = 5729.58 / D O
= 5729.58 feet
2) Chord Def: R = 50 / sin (D/2)
= 5729.65 feet
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
B’

B
∅

I
F

∅ ∅
T1 𝟐 𝟐 T2
E 90o
90o 90o - ∅/2
A C

R R
∅
∅
𝟐

O
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
1)Tangents or Straights:The straight lines AB and
BC which are connected by the curves are
called the tangents or straights to curves.
2)Point of Intersection:(PI.) The Point B at which
the 2 tangents AB and BC intersect or Vertex
(V).
3)Back Tangent: The tangent line AB is called
1st tangent or Rear tangents or Back
tangent.
4)ForwardTangent: The tangent line BC is
called 2nd tangent or Forward tangent.
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
5)Tangents Points:The points T1 and T2 at which
the curve touches the straights.
a) Point of Curve (P.C): The beginning of the
curve T1 is called the point of curve or tangent
curve (T.C).
b) Point of tangency (C.T): The end of curve T2 is
called point of tangency or curve tangent (C.T).
6) Angle of Intersection: (I) The angle ABC between
the tangent lines AB and BC. Denoted by I.
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
7) Angle of Deflection (∅):Then angle B`BC
by which the forward (head tangent
deflect from the Rear tangent.
8)Tangent Length:(BT1 and BT2) The
distance from point of intersection Bto
the tangent points T1 and T2. These
depend upon the radii of curves.
9)Long Cord: The line T1T2 joining the two
tangent points T1 andT2 is called long
chord.
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
10)Length of Curve: the arc T1FT2 is called
length of curve. Denoted by L.
11) Apex orSummitof Curve: The midpoint Fof
the arc T1FT2 is called Apex of curve and lies
on the bisection of angle of intersection. It is
the junction oflines radii.
12)ExternalDistance (BF): The distance BFfrom
the point of intersection to the apex of the
curve is called Apex distance or External
distance.
23
 Curves
Nomenclature of Simple Curves
13)Central Angle: The angle T1OT2
subtended at the center of the curve
by the arc T1FT2 is called central
angle and is equal to the deflection
angle.
14)Mid ordinate (EF):It is a ordinate
from the mid point of the long chord
to the mid point of the curve i.e
distance EF.
• If the curve deflect to the right of the
direction of the progress of survey it is
called Right-hand curve and if to the
left , it is called Left-hand curve.
• The ∆ BT1T2 is an isosceles triangle and
therefore the angle
∅
∟ BT1T 2 = ∟ BT 2T 1 =
2
 Curves
Elements of Simple Curves
a) ∟T1BT2 + ∟B`BT2= 180o
I + ∅= 180o
∟T1OT2 = ∅= 180o – I
b) Tangent lengths: (BT1 , BT2)

In ∆T1OB, tan (∅) = BT /1 OT 1

2

BT1= OT1 tan(∅)

2

BT1 = BT2= R tan( ∅)

2

c) Length of Chord(l):

In ∆T1OE, sin( ∅) = T 1E /OT 1

2

T1E = OT1 sin(∅)

2

T1E = R sin( ∅)
2
 Curves
Elements of Simple Curves
l = 2 T1E = 2 R sin(∅) r
2

d) Length of Curve (L): S =r x 𝜃

𝜃
L = length of arc T1FT2

= 𝜋 R∅
L
L=R∅
180
∅
Or
R R
L /2 𝜋 R = ∅/360
2𝜋R
360o
L = 2 𝜋 R ∅/ 360 = R ∅ 𝜋
180

e) Apex distance or External distance:

BF = BO – OF

In ∆OT 1B, cos(∅) = OT 1 / BO

2
 Curves
Elements of Simple Curves
BO = OT1 / cos(∅)= R / cos(∅)
2 2

BO = R sec(∅)
2

BF = R sec(∅/2) – R

BF = R ( sec(∅) – 1)
2

1
BF = R ( – 1)
cos(∅2)
f) Mid ordinate or Versed sine of curve:
EF= OF – OE
In ∆T1OE, cos(∅/2) = OE / OT1
OE = OT1 cos(∅/2) = R cos(∅/2)
EF = R – R cos(∅/2)

EF = R (1 – cos(∅2))
 Simple Curves
Problem 01: Two tangents intersect at chainage of 6 +26.57. it is
proposed to insert a circular curve of radius 1000ft. The deflection
angle being 16o38’. Calculate
a) chainage of tangents points
b) Lengths of long chord , Mid ordinate and External distance.
Solution:
Tangent length = BT 1 = BT2 = R tan(∅)
2

BT1 = BT2 = 1000 x tan(16o38`/2)

= 146.18 ft
R∅
Length of curve = L = 𝜋180 o
𝜋 x 1000 x 16o38`
L= = 290.31ft
180o
Chainage of point of intersection = 6 + 26.56
minus tangent length = -1 + 46.18
chainage of T1 = 4 + 80.39
plus L = + 2 + 90.31
Chainage of T2 = 7 + 70.70
 Simple Curves
Problem 01:
Solution:
Length of chord = l = 2 R sin(∅)
2
l = 2 x 1000 x sin(16o38`/2) = 289.29ft
Mid ordinate = EF = R (1 – cos(∅)
2
EF= 1000 x ( 1 – cos(16o38`/2)) = 10.52 ft
∅
Ex. distance = BF = R ( sec - 1)
2

BF = 1000 x ((1/cos(∅) – 1) = 10.63 ft

2
Simple Curves
Problem 02: Two tangents intersect at chainage of 14 +87.33,
with a deflection angle of 11o21`35``. Degree of curve is 6o.
Calculate chainage of beginning and end of the curve.
Solution:
D = 6o
R = 5729.58 / D ft = 954.93 ft
Tangent length = BT 1 = BT2 = R tan(∅)
2
BT1 = BT2 = 954.93 xtan(11o21`35``/2)
BT1 = BT2 = 94.98 ft
Length of curve = L = 𝜋 R ∅o
180
o21`35``
L = 𝜋 x 954.93 x 11 = 189.33 ft
180o
Chainage of intersection point B = 14 + 87.33
minus tangent length BT1 = - 0 + 94.96
Chainage of T1 = 13 + 92.35
plus L = + 1 + 89.33
Chainage T2 = 15 + 81.68
Problem: A circular curve has 300 m radius and 60° deflection angle.
What is its degree of curve by
(a) arc definition and (b) chord definition of standard length 30 m.
Also calculate (i) length of curve, (ii) tangent length, (iii) length of long
chord, (iv) mid-ordinate and (v) apex distance