Lecture 8 - Geometric Design 2
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ChitaphrrrLecture 8 - Geometric Design 2
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ChitaphrrrTransportation Engineering, Institute of Engineering1 (IOE)
National college of Engineering (NCE)
GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAY
Chapter 3
Lecture 8
Instructor: Neeva Dahal Msc. In Transportation Engineering, IOE Pulchowk
Campus
neeva.dahal@gmail.com
Transition Curve/ Easement curve
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A horizontal curve of varying radius is known as transition curve.
It is provided to change the horizontal alignment from
straight to circular curve.
It has a radius which decreases from infinity at the tangent point
to a designed radius of the circular curve (BC).
Transition Curve/ Easement curve
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• Objectives of providing transition curve are:
a) To gradually introduce the centrifugal force between the
tangent point and BC, thereby sudden jerk on the vehicle.
b) To increase the comfort of passengers.
c) To introduce designed super elevation at a desirable rate.
d) To introduce designed extra widening at a desirable rate.
e) To enable the driver turn the steering gradually for his own
comfort and security.
f) To enhance the aesthetic appearance of the road.
Types of transition curve
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1. Spiral Curve:
It is also known as clothoid. It is an ideal transition curve as per
IRC.
Radius of curve is inversely proportional to length of curve.
i.e.𝜌𝛼1/𝑆 S=Ls
Most ideal transition curve and also known as steering curve.
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2. Bernoullie’s Lemniscate
• It is used when deflection angle is very large.
• It can be set by polar coordinates.
• Radius of curvature is inversely proportional to length of chord
from the beginning of the curve. i.e. 𝜌𝛼1/𝐿𝑐
• The decrease in radius is not uniform beyond 30 degrees
deflection angle.
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3. Cubic parabola:
When the shape of the curve is parabolic then the
curve is cubic parabola
Usually used in railway
Shift in transition Curve
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To fit in the transition curve at the ends, a circular imaginary curve of
slightly greater radius has to be shifted towards the center which is
called shift.
If the length of transition curve is ‘Ls’ and the radius of the circular
curve is R, the shift (S) of transition curve is given by
Design of Transition curve
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The length of transition curve should be determined as the
maximum of the following three criteria:
1. Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
2. By rate of introduction of super elevation
3. By empirical formula
1. Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
• At tangent point R is infinite and centrifugal force is zero.
• For the gradual introduction of centrifugal force, Let transition
curve with 𝑙𝑠is provided.
If t is the time in second taken to traverse this transition length at
design speed V. i.e. 𝑡 = 𝐿𝑠/v
1. Rate of change of centrifugal
acceleration
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• Maximum value of centrifugal acceleration = 𝑉2/𝑅
is introduced in time t through transition length.
2. By rate of introduction of super
elevation
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• The length of transition curve should be sufficient enough to
change the road surface from its cambered shape to fully super
elevated surface.
• Let the rate of change of introducing super elevation be 1 in N
3. By empirical formula
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• IRC suggest minimum length of transition curve depending
terrain condition.
2.7𝑉2
• For plain and rolling terrain 𝐿𝑠 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑅
𝑉2
• For steep and hilly terrain 𝐿𝑠 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑅
Calculation of lateral shift
• After providing the transition curve, the circular curve gets
𝐿𝑠2
shifted towards inner side and shift is given by: 𝑠 =
24𝑅
Where R is radius of curve
**When shift value s is less than 0.25m no transition curve need
to be provided.
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After providing transition curve on horizontal curve,
the element of combined curve will be:
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Length of transition curve depends upon:
1. Radius of circular curve
2. Design speed
3. Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
4. Rate of super elevation
5. Rotation of pavement to introduced super elevation
6. Terrain condition
Numerical Example
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Q. A two lane highway in a hilly terrain have a curve
of radius 70m. The design speed is 43kmph.
Determine length of transition curve, tangent length
and total length of curve, if deflection angle is 60
degree. Also calculate the chainage of beginning of
transition curve and end of transition curve. (Chainage
of PI = 1190m)
Numerical Example
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Q. A horizontal curve of 200m radius to be set out
connecting two straights. The maximum speed of
vehicle on the curve is restricted to 60kmph. Transition
curve are to be introduced at each end of circular
curve. If angle of intersection is 125°30’ and
chainage at the point of intersection is 1063m.
Calculate:
a. Length of transition curve
b. Length of combined curve
c. Chainage of beginning and end of curve.
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