Horizontal Curves

HORIZONTAL CURVES
TYPES OF HORIZONTAL CURVES

1. SIMPLE. The simple curve is an arc of a
circle. The radius of the circle determines the
sharpness or flatness of the curve.
2. COMPOUND. Frequently, the terrain will

require the use of the compound curve.
This curve normally consists of two simple
curves joined together and curving in the same
direction.
3. REVERSE. A reverse curve consists of two
simple curves joined together, but curving in opposite
direction. For safety reasons, the use of this curve
should be avoided when possible.
4. SPIRAL. The spiral is a curve that has a varying

radius. It is used on railroads and most modern
highways. Its purpose is to provide a transition from the
tangent to a simple curve or between simple curves in
a compound curve.
ELEMENTS OF A HORIZONTAL CURVE
• (PI) POINT OF INTERSECTION. The point of
intersection is the point where the back and
forward tangents intersect. Sometimes, the point of
intersection is designated as V (vertex).
• (I) INTERSECTING ANGLE. The intersecting angle is
the deflection angle at the PI. Its value is
either computed from the preliminary traverse angles
or measured in the field.
• (A) CENTRAL ANGLE. The central angle is the
angle formed by two radii drawn from the center of
the circle (O) to the PC and PT. The value of the central
angle is equal to the I angle.
Some authorities call both the intersecting angle and
central angle either I or A.
• (R) RADIUS. The radius of the circle of which the
curve is an arc, or segment. The radius is
always perpendicular to back and forward tangents.
• (PC) POINT OF CURVATURE. The point of curvature is
the point on the back tangent where the
circular curve begins. It is sometimes designated as
BC (beginning of curve) or TC (tangent to curve).
• (PT) POINT OF TANGENCY. The point of
tangency is the point on the forward tangent
where the curve ends. It is sometimes
designated as EC (end of curve) or CT (curve
to tangent).
• (POC) POINT OF CURVE. The point of curve is any
point along the curve.
• (L) LENGTH OF CURVE. The length of curve is the
distance from the PC to the PT, measured along the
curve.
• (T) TANGENT DISTANCE. The tangent distance is the
distance along the tangents from the PI to the PC or the
PT. These distances are equal on a simple curve.
• (LC)
LONG CHORD. The long chord is the
straight-line distance from the PC to the PT.
Other types of chords are designated as
follows:
• (C) The full
chord distance between adjacent
stations (full, half, quarter, or one- tenth
stations) along a curve.
• (c1) The subchord distance between the PC
and the first station on the curve.
• (c2) The subchord distance between the last
station on the curve and the PT.
• (E) EXTERNAL DISTANCE. The external
distance (also called the external secant) is the
distance from the PI to the midpoint of the
curve. The external distance bisects the interior
angle at the PI.
• (M) MIDDLE ORDINATE. The middle ordinate is
the distance from the midpoint of the curve to
the midpoint of the long chord. The extension of
the middle ordinate bisects the central angle.
• (D) DEGREE OF CURVE. The degree of curve
defines the sharpness or flatness of the
curve.
DEGREE OF CURVATURE
• Curvature may be expressed by simply
stating the length of the radius of the
curve.
• For highway and railway
work, however, curvature is expressed
by the degree of curve.
• Two definitions are used for the degree of
curve.
Degree of Curve (Arc Definition)
• most
frequently
used in high-
way design
Since the circumference of a circle equals the above expression can be written as:
Solving this expression for R:
and also D:
For a 1° curve, D = 1; therefore R = 5,729.58 feet.

• Metric System
20 m
20 2πR
= R
D
D 360
R
1145.916
D=
R
In practice the design engineer usually
selects the degree of curvature on the
basis of such factors as the
design speed and allowable
superelevation. Then the radius is
calculated.
Degree of Curve (Chord Basis)
Then, solving for R:
For a 10 curve (chord definition), D = 1; therefore R = 5,729.65 feet, or

meters, depending upon the system of units you are using.
• Metric System
10 10
D 10
sin =
2 R
R R
D/2 D/2
10
R=
sin D
2
CURVE FORMULAS
• Tangent Distance
and solving for T

CURVE FORMULAS
• Chord Distance
and solving for C

CURVE FORMULAS
• Length of Curve
Then, solving for L

CURVE FORMULAS
• Middle Ordinate and External Distance

Horizontal Curves

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HORIZONTAL CURVES

TYPES OF HORIZONTAL CURVES

2. COMPOUND. Frequently, the terrain will

4. SPIRAL. The spiral is a curve that has a varying

Solving this expression for R:

For a 1° curve, D = 1; therefore R = 5,729.58 feet.

Then, solving for R:

For a 10 curve (chord definition), D = 1; therefore R = 5,729.65 feet, or

and solving for T

and solving for C

Then, solving for L

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