K Value Vertical curves (sag or summit) can also be designed using the value "K' as input parameter instead of the minimum Radius/Length defined at "Design Standard. + The input parameter "K" can be employed for bath circular (default) and parabolic vertical curves. Activating 'K - Value’ as input Run the function ‘Options’ end activate the tab ‘Vertical’. Mark the check box "K - Value as input’ + ‘The table Input V" of the user interfaces will be having an addition column for "K = Value! fine the 'K - Value’ inthe cells of curve elements of the column ‘The values, Radius/Ky, Horizontal Length, and K are interrelated and if, oe of these values is edited, other values will be updated automatically ‘object Ede Vw eet Wodfy Toce Dat 82 Wow Help six MAv@loo oA rer AVs|dbe LFA PIQZAARRI RAM? Wo. | Element | Type | Rachie [HorLenath] K | Slopes ‘Station | ovation’ | Station? 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Wo. ]_Hement | Te [Ke [Wonton] | Stopes | stepaow. | Staton | Hovations | ston? | Bowen? 3[ ne | S| Forward 2000) 260) tows] ers a] Pore | =| ras0n00) ——srsna) 2000 ‘oases] e700 [une | $50] Forward Welle) erst) ase) eau [Pore [ =| ras0n0/ ——1aon0s) — 2000 55,00) 7500] [une | #700) Forwad -—avraace| sa) asa) tos 2[ Pore | =| 2an0n00| 125800) 20000 weari[ e200] 7a[_ tine | = 00] Forwnd vrei] 2a] wom) seam [Te rpae A Recut [Weck ni task Hoot A Nevo Tne & RetPanis 7 Hato Qinpurv A Reson ANasbin A em Ree ANE Pek¥aticd< | Fecdcualeal |[e ok-raw [vr] Corcel | MMGSBORENN[ VERT | TERAAN | FitS2| Cucs22| cerca 3 Zeoo00) 20000 A Figure: User Interface for Parabolic Curves K - Value concept+ For a simple parabola the rate of change of grade per unit length (horizontal) of curve isa constant *Q’, and is equal tothe algebraic difference between intersecting tangent grades (%) divided by the length of curve in meters expressed as: Q = A/L in percent per meter. + ‘The reciprocal K is defined as the borizantal distance in meters which results ina 1% change in grade: K=L/A 1 The reciprocal L/A, termed 'K’, isthe horizontal distance in meter required to make 1% change in gradient and isthe curvature, +The quantity Kis useful in determining the horizontal distance from the vertical point of curvature (VPC) tothe high point (in case of| summit) curves or the low point (incase of sag curves) This point where the slope is zero occurs ata distance from the VPC equal to K times the approach gradient me, a measure of Parabolic Vertical Curves K Value Concept and Details ’ Fa ae 1 (Horizontal Length} vec b= Length of vertical curve (measured horizontally) A = algebraic difference of grades (%) K = Length of vertical curve (m) for a 1% change of grade (%) Q = Rate of change of grade per unit length (%/m) Approximate radius of Grcular curve: B_= 100% Length ofthe Curve (measured horizontally) Length of vertical curve (m) for 1% change of grade (4) “Algebraic difference of Grades ( Rate of change of grade per unit length (% per meter) TE= | Approximate radius of circular eure (R) = 100*K P= | Vertical Point of Curvature (VPC) G= | Vertical Point of Intersection (VPD) 1 | High Poin + For simplicity, a parabolic curve with an equivalent vertical axis centred on the vertical point of intersection (VPI) is usually used in roadway profile design. ‘The vertical offset from the tangent vary as the square ofthe horizontal distance from the curve end (point of tangeney). 1 The vertical offset from the tangent grade at any point along the curve is calculated asa proportion ofthe vertical offset atthe VPI, which is ‘AL/800, where the symbols are shown in the above figure + For each design speed and sight distance configuration a single value of K defines the length ofthe curve L. forall values of A, + Also, for design purposes; a vertical curve can be plosted using a citcular curve of radius R, whic is approximately very close toa parabolic ‘curve by the relationship: R= 100*K, Design Criteria - Vertical Curves ‘nanges between tangent grades may be any one ofthe summit’ or'sag’ types shown in Figure "Types of curves should be simple in application and should result in a design that is; + Sight distance + Comfort + Pleasing in appearance + Adequate for drainage +The major control for safe operation on erest vertical curves isthe provision of ample sight distances (atleast the stopping sight distances) for the design speed. 1 For driver comfort, the rate of change of grade should be kept within tolerable limits. This consideration is most importa ‘curves where gravitational and vertical centripetal forces actin opposite directions + Appearance also should be considered in designing vertical curves, in sag vertical+A long curve has a more pleasing appearance that a short one; short vertical curves may give the appearance ofa sudden break inthe profile (vertical alignment) due to the effect of foreshortening, + Drainage of kerbed roadway aa sag vertical curves needs careful profile (vertical alignment) design. Sight Distance Requirements The horizontal length of vertical curve (L) fora given sight distance (L,) i calculated by the followin expressions Te horizontal length of curve (L) is less than the sight distance (L,) Le, HLA) ————— Faq) 2. If horizontal length of curve (L) is greater than the sight distance (I) 1eJraic——— —— £90) Where, + Lis horizontal length ofthe vertical curve (meter) + Lis the sight distance (meter) + Ais algebraic difference of vertical grading + Cis sight line constant Substituting the vertical curve parameter K for L/A in the EQ) gives! K=(L2ve—————F90) Sight distance formula L-(0.284¢V4E)#(V?V(254.3%(F15)) ————— EQ) Where, + Vis design speed (kmph) ' tris the reaction time (sec) + fis fiction coefficient 1 sis grade (ratio) Sight line constant (C) for summit curves: C=200°[Vnn) hay?’ — ——— — Fa) Where, +h is driver's eye height above the roadway surface (meter) + 2 is height of object on roadway surface (meter) Sigh Hine constant (C) for sug curves: C=200°[h#L *Tanig)] ———— Where, + Lis stopping sight distance his head light mounting height + qis elevation angle of headlight beam (+ is upwards) Sight line constant (C) for sag curves at overhead obstructions: (C=200*[\(H4-n1)-Veti-h2)? ——— —— EQ) Where, + His headroom forthe vehicle from the road surface (height of overhead obstruction) Using the above equations, the value of K can be obtained forthe following, conditions K value for summic curves and stopping sight distance when L< Ly 2. K value for summit curves and stopping sight distance when T.> I. 3. K value for surnmit curves and passing sight distance when L L, 5. K value for sag curves and stopping sight distance when L<6. K value for sag curves and stopping sight distance when L> Ly 1. K valve fr sag curves at overhead obstruction when L < Ly 8. K value for sag curves at overhead obstruction when L.> Ly Comfort Requirements ++ Human beings subjected to rapid changes in vertical acceleration feel discomfort, However, vertical acceleration only becomes critical inthe design of sharp sag curves. 1 Refer road authority standards for maximum values of vertial acceleration generated when passing from one grade to another +The vertical component of acceleration normal tothe curve, when traversing the path of a parabolic vertical curve at uniform speed is a fanction of K + Equation for vertical component of acceleration, a = V2i(12960"K) + Where, V is design speed (kmph) ements, Appearance Req) ‘+ For very small changes of grade, vertical curve have litle effect onthe appearance of the road's profile vertical geometry) and my usually be omitted. + Short vertical curves can, however, havea significant effect on the appearance of a road’ profile. Therefore, vertical curves for small changes ‘of grade should have K values significantly greater than those needed for minimum sight distance reasons. This is particularly important on high standard roads, especially for sg curves 1 Refer the oad authority standards for maximum grade change, where vertical curves may be omitted and minimum length of vertical curve necessary to give a satisfactory appearance, + Longer curves are preferred where they ean be achieved without canfict with other design requirements, such as drainage, In Other Languages English Norsk Svenska Dansk Suomi Espatiol Frangais