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curves that are used to change the alignment/ direction and slope of the road.
Horizontal curves: Those curves that are used to change the alignment or direction
are known as horizontal curves. Best nature of curve to be provided is circular
(Curves that form circular arcs). Smaller the radius of curve, sharper is the curve.
Curve must be flat rather than sharp ( i.e. large radius).
Type of Horizontal curves:
There are four type of horizontal curve:
1. Simple curve: Simple curve is an arc of circle. The radius of circle determine
the sharpness or flatness of curve
2. Compound curve: This curve normally consists of two simple curves joined
together and curving in the same direction
3. Reverse curve: This curve normally consists of two simple curves joined
together and curving in the opposite direction
4. Spiral curve (transition curve): This curve has varying radius. Its purpose to
provide transition from tangent to a simple curve or between the simple
curves in compound curve.
a. Simple curve
b. Compound curve
c. Reverse curve
2. Point of tangency (P.T): The tangent point T2 called the point of tangency
(P.T.). This is the end point of curve,
3. Point of intersection (I) or vertex (V): The point where the backward and
forward tangents intersect is called the point of intersection (P.I.),
4. Deflection angle :An angle between a forward tangent and the extension of
backward tangent at I
Tangent
Curve
Deflection angle: To layout a circular curve, the surveyor usually uses a chain or EDM to measure
distances along the arc of the curve and a transit or theodolite to measure the horizontal angles from a
reference line to the station to be set. Before laying out a circular curve we need to know its parameters.
The radius of the curve.
The beginning station.
The distances along the arc between the instrument and the points to be set.
Knowing these basics we can determine the deflection angles between stations.
From basic geometry we know that:
Circumference = D or 2R
Where, = 3.1415926 and D = the Diameter of the circle, and R = the Radius.
We also know that there are 360 degrees in a circle.
If we say that the length along the arc is L, then we can determine the interior angle of the
circle subtended by the arc. To do that, lets calculate the fractional part of the arc to the
circumference.
then , D = 5730 / R
Vertical curves: Those curves that are used to change the slope are known as
vertical curves