MIRPUR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MUST), MIRPUR

DEPARMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERIG

Advanced Engineering Survey
CIV-2334

: Transition Curve
Transition Curve

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 Transition Curve
Definition:
“A curve of varying radius and varying curvature is introduced between the
tangent length of a circular curve or between two branches of a compound curve or
a reverse curve to provide such a transition is known as a transition or an
easement curve”.
Need of Transition Curve:
For high speed traffics over alignment on which the curve is circular arc, an abrupt
change from a straight path to a circular path is required at the point of curvature
(T1). It is impossible to make this change instantaneously. Smooth and safe rail,
road operations will require a gradual transition between the uniform operating
condition on tangents and the different operating conditions on the circular curves.

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Transition Curve

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 Transition Curve
When a transition curve is not provided on a road, and a vehicle passes from a straight
into a circular, the passengers and the vehicle experience a shock or a jerk at the junction
point because at this point the curvature changes abruptly from infinity to a definite
quantity, and centrifugal force comes into play. If this centrifugal force exceeds a certain
limit the vehicle may even overturn. In the case of railways, the side thrust will be taken
by the outer rail and will cause wear of the rail at the tangent point.

To overcome these ill effects, a length of transition curve is introduced between the
straight and the circular curve at both the ends.

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 Transition Curve
Objectives for providing transition curves
• For the gradual introduction of Centrifugal force
• To introduce super elevation gradually
• To introduce extra widening gradually
• To provide comfort for the driver that is to enable smooth vehicle operation on road.
• To enhance aesthetics of highways.
To minimize the effects of centrifugal force, the speed of the vehicle should be
gradually reduced, or a path should be negotiated with the gradual change of trajectory
so that the radius of curvature is gradually reduced from infinity to R
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 Transition Curve

Advantages of a Transition Curve

A transition cure is provided for the following advantages:
1.It allows a gradual transition of curvature from the tangents to the circular curve or from
the circular curve to the tangent.

2.The radius of curvature increases or decreases gradually.

3.It is provided for the gradual change in super-elevation.
4.It eliminates the danger of derailment, overturning or side-slipping of vehicles, and
discomfort to passengers.

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 Length of Transition Curve
1. RATE OF CHANGE OF CENTRIFUGAL ACCELERATION
Length of transition curve=Ls = V^3 / (47*c*R)
Centrifugal constant=C = 80 / (75 + v)

2. RATE OF INTRODUCTION OF SUPERELEVATION

Ls = N*e*(W + We) (When Pavement rotated about inner line)
e is superelevation, W is the width of the pavement, We are the extra widening and N are the gradient

If the pavement is rotated about the center line, Then

Ls = 0.5*N*e*(W + We)
Note:
The highest value among two criteria is adopted as the deigned length of transition curve
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 Lateral Shift in Transition Curve
Due to the application of transition curve on both sides of the circular curve, the circular
curve gets shifted towards inner side and this shift is called lateral shift and is given by:
S = Ls^2 / (24*R)
R is the radius of the circular curve and Ls is the designed length of the transition curve.

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 Example # 01 & 02

1. Calculate the length of transition curve and shift for V=65kmph, R=220m, rate
of introduction of super elevation is 1 in 150, W+We=7.5 m. (e=0.07, pav. rotated
w.r.t centerline)
2. NH passing through rolling terrain and pavement is rotated w.r.t to inner edge
radius is =500m. Design length of Transition curve when V=80kmph and extra
widening is 6.5m and rate of superlevation is 1 in 150, e=4.7%

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 Solution Example # 01
Given Data:
Speed = V = 65kmph, Radius = 220m Rate = 1/150
e= 0.07 pav. rotated w.r.t centerline W+We = 7.5m
Required:
Ls = ?
Solution:
As design length of the transition curve is based on three criteria. The highest value
among three criteria is adopted as the deigned length of transition curve.
So
1. Rate of Change of Centrifugal Acceleration
We know that
Ls = V^3 / (47*c*R)

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 Solution Example # 01
Ls = V^3 / (47*c*R)
Ls = (65)^3 / (47* c * 220)
C = 80 / (75 + 65) = 0.57
Ls = (65)^3 / (47* 0.57 * 220) = 46.6m

2. Rate of Introduction of Superelevation

Ls = 0.5*N*e*(W + We)
Ls = 0.5 * 150 * 0.07 * 7.5 = 39.38m

Provide Ls = 46.6 m

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 Solution Example # 02
Given Data:
Speed = V = 80kmph, Radius = 500m Rate = 1/150
e= 0.045 pav. rotated w.r.t innerline W+We = 6.5m
Required:
Ls = ?
Solution:
As design length of the transition curve is based on three criteria. The highest value
among three criteria is adopted as the deigned length of transition curve.
So
1. Rate of Change of Centrifugal Acceleration
We know that
Ls = V^3 / (47*c*R)

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 Solution Example # 02
Ls = V^3 / (47*c*R)
Lt = (80)^3 / (47* c * 500)
C = 80 / (75 + 80) = 0.516
Lt = (80)^3 / (47* 0.516 * 500) = 42.2m

2. Rate of Introduction of Superelevation

Lt = N*e*(W + We)
Lt = 150 * 0.045 * 6.5 = 43.87m

Provide Lt or Ls = 43.87m

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 Stacking of Transition Curve

Transition Curve in field can be laid by two methods

1. Linear Method (Offset Method)
2. Angular Method (Deflection angle method)

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 Stacking of Transition Curve
Offset Method
1. The length of the transition curve is calculated
2. This transition length is divided into an even number of equal parts, usually eight.
3. The equations for a cubic parabola and the shift, are used for calculations.

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 Stacking of Transition Curve
4. The shift is calculated using Formula.
5. The ordinates are then calculated at points 1, 2, 3, etc. using Formula.

S Check

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 Stacking of Transition Curve
6. The point at which the transition curve starts is then determined approximately by
shifting the existing tangent point backwards by distance equal to half the length of
the transition curve.
7. The offsets y1, y2, y3, etc. are measured perpendicular to the tangent to get the
profile of the transition curve.
8. Tangent length (T) = (R + S) tan Δ/2 + Ls / 2
9. Spiral angle (φs) = (Ls*180) / (2*π*R)
10. Length of circular curve =
(π*R*(Δ-2 φs)) / 180 = (π*R*Δ) / 180 -Ls
11. Length of the combined curve (Lc) = Ls + Lc + Ls

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 Stacking of Transition Curve
Deflection angle method
• Place the theodolite at I, mark the direction of tangents.
• Locate the T1 and T2 by measuring the tangent length from I.
• Set the theodolite at T1 and direct at I and set angles at zero.
• Set the theodolite at deflection angle Δ1 and range the line and measure the chord
length with tape.
Δ = 573 L^2/LsR
• Similarly set all angles and distances
Δ1 = 573 L1^2/LsR
Δ2 = 573 L2^2/LsR
.
.
Δn = 573 Ln^2/LsR

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 Stacking of Transition Curve
• Repeat this process until point B.
• For every point distance L is measured from T1.
• At point B Δ = 573 L^2/LR = 573L/R
• This 573L/R should be equal to 1/3 * φs, which give the field check.

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 Example 03

A road 10.8 m wide is to deflect through an angle of 50o with the center line radius of
330 m , the chainage of the intersection point being 3605.0 m. A transition curve is to
be used at each end of the circular curve of such a length that the rate of gain of radial
acceleration is 0.5 m/s2, when the speed is 80 Km/h.
find out:
•Length of Transition Curve and length of combined curves
•Chainage at all Junction point
•Stacking by offset from tangent and deflection angle method

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Solution Example 03

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Solution Example 03

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Solution Example 03

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Solution Example 03

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Solution Example 03

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Solution Example 03

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 Solution Example 03
Summary: Chainage at B = 3482.88 m
Length of Transition Curve = 64 m Chainage at B’ = 3706.88 m
Length of Circular Curve = 224 m Chainage at T2 = 3770.88 m
Length of Combine Curves = 352 m
Spiral angle (φs) = 5.56o
Chainage at I = 3605 m (Given)
Tangent Length = 186.12 m
Chainage at T1 = 3418.88 m

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 Solution Example 03

Summary:
Lateral Shift = 0.517 m
Offsets
Y1 = 0.004 m
Y2 = 0.032 m
Y3 = 0.109 m
Y4 = 0.258 m = S/2 = 0.517/2 = 0.258 Check------------- ok
Y5 = 0.505 m
Y6 = 0.87 m
Y7 = 1.38 m
Y8 = 2.068 m = 4S = 4 x 0.517 = 2.068 Check--------------ok

Setting of Circular curve already covered in Lecture 04

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 Example 04

A pavement 7.2 m wide is to deflect through an angle of 45o with the center line radius
of 250 m , the chainage of the intersection point being 1500 m. Set out a transition curve
by deflection angle method & offset from tangent method when the design speed of road
is 100 KMPH. Also Calculate lateral shift and chainage of all junction points.

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Solution Example 04

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Solution Example 04

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Solution Example 04

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Solution Example 04

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Solution Example 04

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THANKS