Module - 4

Curves

Prepared by:
Subject:- Surveying Asst.Prof. Nutan Patel
Code:-3140601 (Civil Department, ACET)
 Introduction
• Generally used on Highway and Railway.
• Use for change the direction.
• Always tangential to the straight direction.
• The two line connected by a curve are called
tangents.
 Types of Curves

Circular
Horizontal curve
Curves Transition
Curves
Vertical curve
curves
 Types of Circular Curve
• There are three type of the circular curve.

Simple Curve

Compounded
Curve

Reserve Curve
 1. Simple Curve
• Consist of a single Arc.
• Tangential to both the straight line.
 2. Compound Curve
• Two or more simple arc.
• In fig arc radius R1 and centre O1
• In fig arc radius R2 and centre O2
 3. Reverse Curve
• Two circular arcs.
• Centre in opposite direction.
• Reverse curve are provided for low speeds
roads and railway.
 Definition and Notations for simple
• Back tangent
curve
point :-
• The tangent (AT1)
previous to the
curve is called tha
back tangent or
first tangent point.

• Forward tangent
Point :-
• The tangent (T2B)
following the
curve is called the
forward tangent
point or second
tangent point.
• Point of Intersection
(P.I) :-
• If the tangents AT1 and
AT2 are produced they
will meet in a point,
called the point of
intersection (P.I).
• It is also called vertex
(V)

• Point of Curve (P.C) :-

• It is the beginning point
T1 of a curve, at this
point alignment is
changes from a tangent
to a curve.
• Point of tangency
(P.T) :-
• The end point of
the curve (T2) is
called the point of
tangency.

• Intersection angle
(Φ) :-
• The angle AVB
between tangent
AV and tangent
VB is called
intersection angle.
• Deflection angle
(Δ) :-
• The angle at P.I
between tangent
AV produce and
VB is called the
deflection angle.

• Tangent distance
:-
• It is the distance
between the P.C to
P.I, it is also
distance between
the P.I to P.T
• External distance
(E) :-
• It is the distance
from the mid point
of the curve to P.I.

• Length of Curve
(l) :-
• It is the total
length of curve
from P.C to P.T.
• Long Chord :-
• It is chord
joining P.C to
P.T T1, T2 is a
long chord.

• Normal chord
:-
• A chord between
two successive
regular station
on a curve is
called normal
chord.
• Sub Chord :-
• The chord shorter
than normal
(Shorter than
20m) is called
Sub chord.

• Versed sine :-
• The distance
between mid
point of long
chord (D) and the
apex point C is
called versed
sine.
• Right hand curve
:-
• If the curve deflect
to the right of the
direction of the
progress of survey,
it is called right
hand curve.

• Left hand curve :-

• If the curve deflect
to the left of the
direction of the
progress of survey,
it is called left hand
curve.
 Designation of Curve
• The sharpness of Curve is designated by two ways :-
1) By radius (R)
2) By degree of curvature (D)

1) By radius (R) :-
• In this method the curve is known by the length of its
radius (R).
• Ex :-
• 200m curve means the curve having radius 200m.
• 6 chain curve means the curve having radius 6 chain.
2) By Degree of Curvature :-
• In this method curve is designated by degree.
• The degree of curvature can be divided in to two
ways.

1. Chord definition :-
• The angle subtended at the centre of curve by a chord
of 20m is called degree of curvature.
• Ex :- If the angle subtended at the centre of the curve
by a chord of 20m is 50 the curve is called 50 degree
curve.
2. Arc definition :-
• The angle subtended at the centre of the curve
by an arc of 20m length is called degree of
curve.
• Used in America, Canada, India.
Relation Between Radius and Degree of
Curve

By Chord Definition

By Arc Definition
 By Chord Definition
• The angle subtended at
the centre of curve by
a chord of 20m is
called degree of curve.

• R = Radius of curve
• D = Degree of Curve
• PQ = 20 m = Length of
Chord
By Arc Definition
Elements of Simple Circular
Curve
Length of Curve (l)
Tangent Length (T)
Length of Chord (L)

O
External Distance (E)

O
Mid Ordinate (M)
Setting Out of Simple Circular
Curve
 Normal Chord and Sub Chord :-
 On the alignment of the curve, at a certain distance interval
pegs are driven in to the ground.
 The distance between the two pegs is normally kept equal
to 20 m.
 The distance is known as peg interval.
 If the peg are driven at 20m interval, the peg station are
called main peg stations.
 The chord joining the tangent point T1 and the first main
peg station is called first sub chord.
 All the chord joining adjacent peg station are called full
chord or normal chord.
 The length of normal chord is generally taken equal to
20m.
 The chord joining last main peg station and the tangent
point T2 is called last sub chord.
Method of setting out of Simple
circular curve

Angular
Method

Linear method
 Linear Method
• Only chain or tap are required.
• Angle measurement instrument are not used.
• Method are used where high degree of
accuracy is not required.
• Method is used where curve is very short.
 Linear methods are
i. By offset or ordinate from the long chord.
ii. By successive bisection of arcs or chords.
iii. By offsets from the tangents
iv. By offsets from chords produce
1. By offset or ordinate from the long
chord.
• R = Radius of curve
• Oo = Mid-Ordinate
• Ox = Ordinate at distance x from the mid
point of the chord.
• T1 and T2 = Tangent Points
• L = Length of Long chord
2. By successive bisection of arcs or
chords.
 3. By offsets from the tangents

• The off set from the tangent point can be

divided in to two types :-
1) Radial offset
2) Perpendicular offsets.
1. Radial offset
2. Perpendicular offset
 4. By offset from chord produce
• This method is used for long curve.
• This method is used when the theodolite is
not available.
 Angular method
• Theodolite are used.
• Some time chain and tap is also used.
• This method is used when the length of the curve
is very large.
• More accurate method.
• There are main three method.
1) Rankine method of tangential angles.
2) Two theodolite method.
3) Tachometric method.
 1. Rankine method of tangential
angles
• Also called one theodolite method.
• Most frequently used.
• Useful for setting out of work like railway,
Highway, express way with more accuracy.
• C1, C2, C3 = length
of chords T1A, AB,
BC
•

•
• For the first
chord T1A,
deflection angle
= its tangential
angle.
• Δ1 = 1
•

Δ2
•

•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Set out the tangent
point T1 and T2 on
ground.
• Set out the
theodolite on the
point of the curve
T1.
• With both the
plates clamped to
the zero, direct the
theodolite to
bisect the
intersection (V).
• Release the upper
clamp and screw
and set the angle Δ1
on the vernier.
• The line of sight
direct the chord
T1A.
• With the zero end
of the tap pointed at
T1 and an arrow
held at a distance
T1A = C1, thus the
point is fixed on
ground.
• Now release the upper
plate and set the second
deflection angle Δ2 on
the vernier so the line
of sight is direct along
T1B.
• With the zero end of
the tap is pointed at A,
and an arrow held at a
distance AB = C2, thus
fix the second point.
• Repeat the procedure
until the last point T2.
• Joint T1, A, B,
……………., T2 to
obtain the required
curve.
 2. Two theodolite method
• Two theodolite is used.
• In this method chain or tap
is not required.
• VT1A = Δ1 = Deflection
angle for A.
• But AT2T 1 is the angle
subtended by long chord
T1A in the opposite
segment.
• AT2T 1 = VT1A = Δ1
• Similarly
• T1T 2B = VT1B = Δ2
 Procedure :-
• Set up the
theodolite at T1 and
T2 point.
• Clamp both the
plate transit zero
degree.
• With zero reading,
direct the line of
sight of the transit
at T1 towards V.
• Similarly direct the
line of sight of the
other transit at T2
toward T1.
• Verier A of the both
the theodolite will
shows the zero
reading.
• Transit the deflection
angle for the first
point A equal to Δ1.
• Second theodolite
set the same angle
and turn the
telescope to A at
angle Δ1.
• We get point A.
• Repeat the same
procedure and get
number of the
point.
3. Tachometric Method
 Procedure
• Set the tachometer
at T1 and sight the
point of
intersection (V) at
that time set the
reading is zero.
• Set the deflection
angle Δ1 on the
vernier, thus the
directing the line
of sight along T1A.
 Procedure
• Direct the staff man to
move in the direction
T1A till the calculated
staff intercept S1 is
obtained. The staff held
vertical. Thus the first
point A is fixed.
• Set the deflection angle
Δ2 on the vernier, thus
the directing the line of
sight along T1B.
• Repeat the same
procedure.
 Transition Curve
• When a vehicle moves on a curve, there are two
force acting.
1) Weight of the vehicle (W)
2) Centrifugal force (P)

• Both the force passing through the C.G of the

vehicle.
• Weight of the vehicle is act as vertical.
• Resultant of the two forces should be normal to
the road surface
Requirement of the transition curve
• It should be tangential to the straight line.
• It should meet the circular curve tangentially.
• Its curve should be zero at the origin of the straight
curve.
• Its curvature at the junction with the circular curve
should be same as that of the circular curve.
• Full super elevation is attained at the junction with
circular curve.
 Purpose of providing transition
curve
• Increase the curvature gradually.
• Provide medium for super elevation.
• Provide extra widening on the circular curve
gradually.
 Advantages
• Reduce the discomfort.
• Reduce the chances of overturning of the
vehicles.
• Allows higher speed at curve.
• Wear on running gears is reduce.
 Super Elevation or Cant
• Super elevation is defined as the rising of the
outer edge of a road respect to its inner edge.
 Length of Transition Curve
• Length of the transition curve introduce
between straight and circular curve is
calculated following consideration.
1) By rate of super elevation
2) By time rate
3) By rate of change of radial acceleration.
1) By rate of super elevation
2) By time rate
3) By the rate of change of radial
acceleration
 Type of Transition curve
• There are mainly three type of the transition curve.
Type of
transition
curve
Cubic spiral

Cubic parabola

The Lemniscate curve

1) Cubic Spiral
2) Cubic Parabola
3) The Lemniscate curve
 Equation for Ideal transition curve
• When a vehicles moving on a straight takes a circular
path, super elevation is required to be introduce
uniformly from zero to its maximum design value.
• On the other hand speed of the vehicle keep constant
speed .
• Requirements are fulfill by
1) Increase the centrifugal force at a constant rate.
2) Varying the distance travelled along transition curve
with time.
1) Centrifugal force is directly
proportional to the length of
transition curve
2) Super elevation is proportional to
the length of transition curve
 Vertical Curve
• Vertical curve is provided when there is sudden
change in gradient of highway or a railway.
• Vertical curve are provided when highway or railway
are at hilly or valley area.
• Gradient is expressed in the form of the percentage.
• EX : +2% means rise by 2m in every 100m.
• Rising gradient is taken as +ve
• Falling gradient taken as -ve
Rate of Change of Gradient
 Rate of Change of Gradient for
Railway

Curve at
Types of Railway
Summit Valley
First class Railway 0.3% 0.15%
Second class
railway or branch 0.6 % 0.3%
line
 Advantage of Vertical curve
• Change in gradient is gradually.
• Improve the appearance of the road.
• Road and railway journey become
comfortable.
 Types of Vertical Curve
• There are main two type of the vertical curve.

Summit Curve
(Convex curve)

Valley curve
(Concave Curve)
 Summit Curve (Convex
curve)
• Summit curve is provide in following situation :-
 An upgrade (+g1) followed by down grade (-g2)
 An upgrade (+g1) followed by another upgrade (+g2). g1>g2
 An downgrade (-g1) followed by another down grade (-g2).
g2>g1
 A plane surface followed by down grade (-g1).
 Valley Curve (Concave curve)
• Valley curve is provide in following situation :-
 A Down grade (-g1) followed by up grade (+g2)
 A Down grade (-g1) followed by another down grade (-g2).
g1>g2
 An up grade (+g1) followed by another up grade (+g2).
g2>g1
 A plane surface followed by up grade (+g1).
Length of Vertical Curve
 Compound Curve
• A compound curve consist of two or more
circular arc of different radiation with their
centre of curvature on the same side of the
common tangent.
Elements of compound curve
• Fig shows a two centred compound curve T1T3T2 having
two circular arcs T1T3 and T3T2 meeting at common
point T3 known as the point of compound curvature
(P.C.C).
• T1 is the point of curve (P.C)
• T2 is the point of tangency (P.T)
• RS, RL = the radius of the curve
• ΔS, ΔL = the deflection angle
• lS, lL = length of curve
• tS, tL = the tangent length
• TS, TL = the tangent length
1) Tangent length of Circular curve
 2) Total Deflection angle
• Δ = Δs + ΔL
3) Tagent length of Compound
Curve
4) Length of Compound Curve
 5) Chainages
• Chainage of T1 = Chainage of B – TS
• Chainage of T3 = Chainage of T1 + lS
• Chainage of T3 = Chainage of T3 + lL