CHAPTER 11

HORIZONTAL CURVES

Curves used in horizontal planes to connect two straight tangent sections

are called horizontal curves. Two types are used: circular arcs and spirals. A
simple curve is a circular arc connecting two tangents. A compound curve is
composed of two or more circular arcs of different radii tangent to each other,
with their centers on the same side of the alignment. A broken-back curve is the
combination of a short length of tangent connecting two circular arcs that have
centers on the same side. A reverse curve consists of two circular arcs tangent to
each other, with the centers on opposite sides of the alignment. Figure 11.2. Spirals

Easement curves are desirable, especially for railroads and rapid transit
systems, to lessen the sudden change in curvature at the junction of a tangent and
11.1. DEGREE OF CIRCULAR CURVE
a circular curve. A spiral makes an excellent easement curve because its radius
decreases uniformly from infinity at the tangent to that of the curve it meets. The rate of curvature of circular curves can be designated either by their
Spirals are used to connect a tangent with a circular curve, a tangent with a radius or by their degree of curve. There are two different designations for degree
tangent (double spiral), and a circular curve with a circular curve. of curve, the arc definition and the chord definition, both of which are defined
using the English system of units. By the arc definition, degree of curvature is the
The effect of centrifugal force on a vehicle passing around a curve can be
central angle subtended by a circular arc of 100 ft. this definition is preferred for
balanced by superelevation, which raises the outer rail of a track or outer edge of a
highway work. By the chord definition, degree of curve is the angle at the center
highway pavement. Correct transition into superelevation on a spiral increase
of a circular arc subtended by a chord of 100 ft. this definition is convenient for
uniformly with the distance from the beginning of the spiral, and is in inverse
very gentle curves and hence is preferred for railroads.
proportion to the radius at any point.
1145.916
Arc definition: �= �
(Eq’n. 10.1)
10
Chord definition: � = sin �/2
(Eq’n. 10.2)

11.2.DERIVATION OF CIRCULAR CURVE FORMULAS

Circular curve elements are shown in Figure 10.1. The point of intersection
Figure 11.1. Circular Arcs
(PI), of the two tangents is called the vertex (V). In stationing, the back tangent
precedes the PI, the forward tangent it follows it. The beginning of the curve, or
point of curvature (PC), and the end of the curve, or point of tangency (PT), are
also sometimes called BC and EC, respectively. Other expressions for these points
are tangent to curve, TC, and to tangent, CT. The curve radius is R. Note that the �� = 2� sin
�
(Eq’n. 10.5)
2
radii at the PC and PT are perpendicular to the back tangent and forward tangent,
respectively. � = � sec
�
−1 (Eq’n. 10.6)
2

�
� = � 1 − cos 2
(Eq’n. 10.7)

INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS:

11.1. A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a degree of curve of 6°. Find
the nearest distance from the midpoint of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents and compute the distance from the midpoint of
the curve to the midpoint of the long chord joining the point of curvature and
point of tangency.

Solution:

Figure 11.3. Circular Curve Elements

The distance from PC to PI and from PI to PT is called the tangent distance

(T). The line connecting the PC and PT is the long chord (LC). The length of the
curve (L), is the distance from PC to PT, measured along the curve for the arc
definition, or by 100 ft chords for the chord definition.
The external distance (E) is the length from the PI to the curve midpoint on
a radial line. The middle ordinate (M) is the distance from the midpoint of the
long chord to the curve’s midpoint. Any point of the curve is POC; any point on
tangent POT. The degree of any curve is D. The change in direction of two
tangents is the intersection angle I, which is also equal to the central angle
subtended by the curve.
By definition, and from inspection of Figure 10.3., relations for the arc
definition follow:
�� = �� (where � in radians) (Eq’n. 10.3)
�
� = � tan 2
(Eq’n. 10.4)
11.2. A simple curve has an angle of intersection of 45° and a radius of 200 m. The 11.3. A curve of a diversion road has a tangent AB with direction due north and
point of intersection is at Station 2+982.84. Compute (a) the stationing of PT; tangent BC bearing N 70° E. Point A is at the PC whose stationing is 12+600.
(b) the deflection angle of station 2+937.7 from PC; (c) the right angle offset The degree of curve is 5°. Compute the long chord and the stationing of point
from station 2+937.7 on the curve to tangent through PC and (d) the degree D on the curve along a line joining the center of the curve which makes an
of curve using chord basis. angle of 40° (at E) with the tangent line passing through the PC. What is the
length of the line from D to E.
Solution:
Solution:
11.3.COMPOUND AND REVERSE CURVES INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS:
11.4. A compound curve has a common tangent 400 m long. The first curve
Compound and reverse curves are combinations of two or more circular
curves. They should be used only for low-speed traffic routes, and in terrain where through the PC is a 3 degree curve with a central angle of 35°. Find the
simple curves cannot be fitted to the ground without excessive construction costs length of the second curve if its central angle is 50° and find the station of
since the rapid change in curvature causes unsafe driving conditions. A compound PT if the PI of the compound curve is at station 10+125.
curve can be staked with instrument setups at the beginning PC and ending PT, or Solution:
perhaps with one setup at the point of compound curvature (PCC) where the two
curves join. Reverse curves are handled in similar fashion.

11.5. The long chord from the PC to the PT of a compound curve is 250 m long
and the angles it makes with the tangent passing through PC and the tangent
passing through PT are 14° and 18°, respectively. If the common tangent is
parallel to the long chord. Find the radius of the first and second curve. If
Figure 11.4. Compound Curve Figure 11.5. Reverse Curve stationing of PC is 8+950, find the stationing of PT.
Solution:
11.6. Given the lines and direction as follows: AB = 57.6 m due East, BC = 91.5 m 11.4.SPIRAL CURVES
N 68° E, CD = 102.6 m azimuth of 312°.A reverse curve is to connect these
three lines thus forming the center line of a new road. Compute the length of In Figure 10.6, illustrates the geometry of spirals connecting tangents with
the common radius of the reverse curve. If the road has a total width of 7 a circular curve of radius R and degree of curvature D. The entrance spiral at the
meters (3.5 meters per lane), determine the total horizontal area of road to be left begins on the back tangent at the TS (tangent to spiral) and ends at the SC
paved. (spiral to curve). The circular curve runs from the SC to the beginning of the exit
spiral at the CS (curve to spiral), and the exit spiral terminates on the forward
Solution: tangent at the ST (spiral to tangent).
The entrance and exit spirals are geometrically identical. Their lengths Ls,
is the arc distance from the TS to the SC, or CS to ST. If a tangent to the entrance
spiral (and curve) at the SC is projected to the back tangent, it locates the spiral
point of intersection SPI. The angle at the SPI between the two tangents is the
spiral angle ∆� . From the basic property of a spiral, that is, its radius uniformly
from infinity at the TS to the radius of the circular curve at the SC, it follows that
the spiral’s degree of curve changes uniformly from 0 degree at the TS to D at the
SC.

Figure 11.6. Spiral Curve

 �3
� = �� (Eq’n10.17)

0.036�3
Desirable Length of Spiral: �� = ��
(Eq’n10.18)

�2
Impact Factor: �� = tan ∅ + � = �� (Eq’n10.19)

0.0079�2
Design of Superelevation: �= �
(Eq’n10.20)

INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS:
11.7. The tangent of a simple curve has azimuths 240° and 300° respectively. The
Figure 11.7. Spiral Portion (ST to SC) radius of simple curve is 300 m. Without changing the direction of the two
tangents and the point of tangency shall remain the same, the simple is to be
Summary of Formulas as for Spiral Curve replaced by another curve having 100 m spirals at its ends. Find the
�2
following:
Spiral Angle: ∅ = 2� � (Eq’n 10.8) a. The radius of the new circular curve.
� �
b. The length of throw of the spiral curve.
∅
Deflection Angle: �=3 (Eq’n 10.9) c. The central angle of the circular curve.
d. The external distance of the spiral.
�3
Offset Distance: � = 6� � (Eq’n10.10) e. The deflection angle at the end point of the spiral easement curve.
� �
f. The offset from tangent at the end point of the spiral.
Distance from TS to any point on the spiral along the spiral tangent g. The offsets from tangent at first quarter point and third point of the
spiral.
�5
�=�− (Eq’n10.11) h. The distance along tangent at the end point of the spiral.
40�� 2 �� 2
i. The distance along tangent at the midpoint of the spiral.
∅ � 2
Relationship between ∅ and �: ∅�
= ��
(Eq’n10.12) Solution:
��
Length of Throw: �= 4
(Eq’n10.13)

Spiral Angle of Intersection: �� = �� + 2∅� (Eq’n10.14)

�� �
Length of Spiral Tangents: �� = 2
+ � + �� tan 2� (Eq’n10.15)
�
External Distance: �� = � + �� sec 2� − �� (Eq’n10.16)

Rate of Change of Normal Acceleration:

11.8.The length of spiral curve is 100-m with radius of 250 meters at the central
angle. The tangent passing through TS and ST intersect each other at 60°.
a. Determine the offset distance from the tangent on the first quarter point of
the spiral.
b. Determine the spiral angle at third quarter point.
c. Determine the deflection angle at third quarter point from the tangent to
the spiral at TS.
d. Determine the length of the short tangent of the spiral.
e. Determine the length of the long tangent of the spiral.
f. Determine the length of throw for the spiral curve
g. Determine the length of the spiral tangents.
h. Determine the external distance of the spiral.
i. What is the maximum velocity that a car could pass through the spiral
easement curve.
Solution:
REVIEW EXERCISES: change in direction of the second tangent line, with the first tangent line
11.1. A 5° curve intersects a property line CD at point D. The back tangent remaining in the same direction in order that the degree of curve does not
intersects the property line at point C which is 105.270 m from the PC, which change? PC is at stationing 10+272.40. The bearing of the tangent through
is at station 2+040. The angle that the property line CD makes with the back the PC is N 72°30’ E. Find also the stationing of the new PT.
tangent is 110°50’. (a) Determine the distance CD. (b) Determine the 11.8. Two tangents of a simple curve have azimuth of 250°15’ and 280°15’
stationing of point D. respectively and intersects at V at station 10+314.62. It is required to shorten
11.2. The deflection angles of two intermediate points A and B of a highway curve the curve to point C on the curve having a direction of N 84°15’ W, 50.42 m
are 4°15’ and 9°15’, respectively. The chord distance between points A and from the old PT without changing the degree of curve and the PC. Determine
B is 20 m while the long chord is 120 m, stationing of PI is 80+060. Find the the stationing of the new PT and new vertex.
stationing of PC and PT. 11.9. The highway engineer of a certain road construction decided to use a radius
11.3. Two tangents intersecting at V with bearings N 75°12’ E and S 78°36’ E are of 100 m in laying out a simple curve having an angle of intersection of
connected with a 4° simple curve. Without changing the direction of the two 36°20’. The stationing of the vertex is 30+375.20 after verifying the actual
tangents and with the same angle of intersection, it is required to shorten the conditions of the proposed route, it was found out that the PT should be
curve to 100 m starting from PC. By how much shall the PT be moved and in moved out in a parallel tangent having a perpendicular distance of 10 meters
what direction? What is the distance between the two parallel tangents? with the angle of intersection remaining the same while the curve shall have
11.4. The bearing of the back tangent of a simple curve is N 70° E, while the the same PC. Determine the radius of this new curve and the stationing of the
forward tangent has a bearing of S 82°30’ E. The degree of curve is 4.5°. new PT.
Stationing of PC is at 10+345.43. It is proposed to decrease the central angle 11.10. Two tangents intersect at station 2+550. A compound curve laid on their
by changing the direction of the forward tangent by an angle of 7°, in such a tangents has the following data: I1 = 31°, I2 = 36°, D1 = 3° and D2 = 5°. (a)
way that the position of the PT of the forward tangent and the direction of the Compute the stationing of the PC, PCC and PT of the curve. (b) If the PT is
back tangent shall remain unchanged. Determine the new radius of the curve moved 15 m out, compute the station of the PT with the PCC on the same
and stationing of the new PC. point.
11.5. Two tangents intersecting at Station 8+095.21 have azimuth of 260° and 11.11. The long chord of a compound curve is 425 m long and the angles that it
284° respectively, and are to be connected with a 5° simple curve. Without makes with tangents of the curve are 20° and 24° respectively. Find the
changing the directions of tangents, it is required to find the radius and the radius of the compound curve if the common tangent is parallel to the long
station of the PC of the new curve such that the new PT is 5 meters directly chord.
opposite but outside the old PT. Use arc basis. 11.12. The common tangent AB of a compound curve makes an angle with the
11.6. Two tangent intersecting at V which is inaccessible has an angle of tangents of the compound curve of 25°30’ and 30° respectively. The
intersection of 30°. Two points C and D are laid out on the tangent through stationing of A of 10+362.42. The degree of curve of the first curve is 4°30’
the PC and PT. The bearing and distance of the line joining C and D is S while that of the second curve is 5°. It is required to change this compound
80°30’ E, 86.42 m respectively. The highway engineer would like to curve with a simple curve that shall end at the same PT while the direction of
construct a highway curve which shall be tangent to the two tangent lines as the tangents remains the same. Find the radius of this simple curve and the
well as the line CD. Find the radius and the degree of curve that could be laid stationing of the new PC.
out. If V is at Sta. 10+352.24, find the stationing of the PI. Bearing of back 11.13. Traverse lines MN, NO, OP are centerlines of a portion of a proposed
tangent N 86°30’ E while that of forward tangent is S 63°30’ E. highway. Respectively the bearings and distances are; MN due north, 277.60
11.7. Two tangents intersects at an angle of 28°30’ at V whose stationing is at meters; NO N 26°40’ E, 107.00 meters, OP N 61°30’ E, 200.00 meters. A
10+362.40. If the external distance were increased by 6 m, what could be the previously designed compound curve connected these three tangent lines
 with the PCC at station 2+012. It is desired to revise the system into a single is 185 meters, T11 – T12 is 122.40 meters, and T12 – T13 is 285 meters. The
circular curve that will still be tangent to the three lines. Determine the azimuth are due East, 242° and 302°, respectively. Calculate the cost of the
stations of the revised PC and PT if station N is at 1+975. concrete pavement along the curves (reversed) from the PC to the PT based
11.14. A compound curve is laid out 480 m from the PC to the PCC having a on the following highway cost index and specifications:
radius of 763.94 m then from the PCC another curve was laid out to the PT Type of Pavement = Item 311 (Portland Cement)
250 m long with a radius of 208.85 m. If the stationing of the point of Number of Lanes = Two (2) lanes
Width of Pavement = 3.05 m per lane
intersection of the tangents is 10+432.25, determine the stationing of the PC
Thickness of Pavement = 20 cm
and the length of the long chord from the PC to the PT. Determine also the
Unit Cost = P460.00 per square meter
angle that the long chord makes with the tangent. It is necessary that the PRC must be one fourth the distance of T11 – T12 from
11.15. Given a compound curve with a long chord equal to 135 m forming an T11.
angle of 12° and 18° respectively with the tangents. The common tangent is 11.20. The perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents is equal to 8
parallel to the long chord. Determine the radii of the compound curve. meters, central angle equal to 8° and the radius of curvature of the first curve
11.16. Two tangents AV and BV are connected by a compound curve at the equal to 175 m. Find the radius of the second curve of the reversed curve.
points A and B. AB = 150 m, angle VAB = 30°, VBA = 41° and R1 = 100 m. 11.21. Two converging tangents have azimuth of 300° and 90°, respectively,
Determine the other radius R2. while that of the common tangent is 320°. The distance from the point of
11.17. Given broken line AB = 57.6 m, BC = 91.5 m, and CD = 91.5 m. A intersection of the tangents to the PI of the second curve is 160 m while the
reverse curve is to connect these three lines thus forming the center line of a stationing of the PI of the curve is at 10+432.24. If the radius of the first
new road. curve is 285.40 m, determine the stationing of PRC and PT.
a. Find the length of the common radius of the reverse curve. 11.22. The perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents of a reverse
curve is 35 m. The azimuth of the back tangent of the curve is 270° and the
b. Find the total length of the reverse curve.
azimuth of the common tangent is 300°. If the radius of the back curve is 150
c. If the PC is at Sta. 10+000, what are the stationing of PRC and PT? m and the stationing of PRC is 10+140, find the station of the PT.
d. What is the total area included in the right of way in this section of the 11.23. A reverse curve connects two converging tangents intersecting at an
road (A to D) if the road width is 15 m? angle of 30°. The distance of this intersection from the PI of the curve is 150
11.18. Three simple curves are connected to each other such that the first and meters. The deflection angle of the common tangent from the back tangent is
the second form a compound curve while the second and the third formed a 20°R, and the azimuth of the common tangent is 320°. The degree of curve
reversed curve. The distance between the point of curvature and the point of of the second simple curve is 6° and the stationing of the point of intersection
tangency of the compound curve which is also the point of reversed of the first curve is 4+450. Determine the stationing of the PC, the PRC and
curvature of the reversed curve is 485.025 meters. If the angle of the PT.
convergence between the second and the third tangent is 15°, I1 = 45°, R1 = 11.24. Two parallel tangents 20 m apart are to be connected by a reversed
190.986 meters, I2 = 60°, R3 = 159.155 meters and stationing at PC is to curve. The radius of the first curve at the PC has a radius of 800 m and the
0+520, determine: total length of the chord from the PC to the PT is 300 m.
a. Find the central angle of each curve.
a. The stationing at PT the end of the long chord.
b. Find the radius of the curve passing thru the PT.
b. The angles made by the long chord of the compound curve with the
11.25. A spiral 80 m long connects a tangent with a 6°30’ circular curve. If
tangents. the stationing of the TS is 10+000, and the gauge of the tract on the curve is
11.19. A reversed curve with diverging tangents is to be designed to connect 1.5 m. Determine the following:
three traverse lines for a portion of the proposed highway. The lines T10 – T11
 a. The elevation of the outer rail at the mid-point, if the velocity of the 11.31. A simple curve having a degree of curve equal to 4°30’ has central
fastest train to pass over the curve is 60 kph. angle of 50°50’. It is required to replace the simple curve to another circular
b. The spiral angle at the first quarter point. curve by connecting a transition curve (spiral) at each end by maintaining the
c. The deflection angle at the end point. radius of the old curve and the center of the new central curve is moved away
d. The offset from the tangent at the second quarter point. by 5 m from the intersection point. Determine the central angle of the new
11.26. The tangents of a spiral curve has azimuths of 226° and 221° circular curve and compute the tangent distance of the spiral curve. What is
respectively. The minimum length of spiral is 40 m with a minimum super- the maximum velocity that a car could pass thru the curve without skidding?
elevation of 0.10 m/m width of roadway. The maximum velocity to pass over 11.32. A simple curve having a radius of 600 m has an angle of intersection
the curve is 70 kph. Assume width of roadway to be 9 m. of its tangents equal to 40°30’. This curve is to be replaced by one of smaller
a. Determine the degree of simple curve. radius so as to admit a 100 m spiral at each end. The deviation of the new
b. Determine the length of spiral at each end of simple curve. curve from the old curve at their midpoint is 0.50 m towards the intersection
c. The super elevation of the first 10 m from SC on the spiral. of the tangents. Determine the radius of the central curve and its central angle.
11.27. A simple curve having a radius of 280 m connects two tangents If the stationing of the intersection of the tangents is 10+820.94, determine
intersecting at an angle of 50°. It is to be replaced by another curve having 80 the stationing of the TS of the spiral curve.
m spirals at its ends such that the point of tangency shall be the same. 11.33. A portion of proposed circumferential road was designed to have a
a. Determine the radius of the new circular curve. 4°30’ simple circular curve based on a 20 m arc which connects the two
b. Determine the distance that the curve will move nearer the vertex. tangents having an intersection angle of 50°50’. Due to some technical
c. Determine the central angle of the circular curve. problems encountered in the actual site, it was then decided to replace the
d. Determine the deflection angle at the end point of the spiral. simple curve to another circular curve by connecting a transition curve (spiral)
e. Determine the offset from tangent at the end point of the spiral. at each end by maintaining the radius of the old curve but the center of the
f. Determine the distance along the tangent at the mid-point of the spiral. new circular curve is shifted 5 m away from the intersection point of the
11.28. The two tangents of a simple curve have azimuths of 270° and 10° tangents. It is required to determine the following:
respectively. It has a radius of 320 m. It is required to change this curve to a a. Central angle of the new circular curve.
spiral curve that will have values of p = 2.5 m and a distance of 30 m from b. The tangent distance of the spiral curve.
TS to point A. Determine the distance on which the new curve must be c. The maximum velocity of the car that would pass thru the curve without
moved from the vertex and its distance from TS to the PC of the simple curve. skidding.
11.29. Two tangents having azimuth of 240° and 282° are connected by an 11.34. A simple curve having a degree of curve equal to 6° is connected by
80 m spiral curve with a 6° circular curve. The width of the roadway is 10 m. two tangents having an azimuth of 240°and 280° respectively. It is required
If the design velocity is 60 kph. Determine the following: to replace this curve by introducing a transition curve 80 m long at each end
a. Super-elevation at quarter points. of a new central curve which is to be shifted at its midpoint away from the
b. Deflection angle at the end point (SC). intersection of the tangents. Determine:
c. External distance. a. The radius of the new central curve if the center of the old curve is retained.
11.30. A spiral curve was laid out in a certain portion of the roadway. It has a b. The distance which the new curve is shifted away from the intersection of
length of spiral of 80 m and an angle of intersection of the two tangents of the tangents.
40°. If the degree of curve is degrees, determine the following elements of 11.35. A simple having a radius of 200 m has a central angle of 50°30’. It is
the spiral curve to be laid out: required to be replaced by another curve by connecting spiral (transition
a. Length of long and short tangent. curve) at its ends by maintaining the radius of the old curve and its center but
b. Length of throw. the tangents are moved outwards to allow transition. Part of the original
c. Maximum velocity that a car could pass thru the curve without skidding. curve is retained. The new intersection of the tangents is moved outward by 2
 m from it original position along the line connecting the intersection of
tangents and the center of the curve. Determine the length of the transition
curve (spiral) at each end of the central curve. Compute also the central angle
of the central curve from the SC to CS.
11.36. For the given compound curve, it is required to replace it with a
transition (spiral) curve 100 m long starting at A and ends up at B. The
degree of curve of the first curve is 4° while that of the second curve is 10°.
Central angles are 6° and 15° respectively for first and second curve.
Determine the short tangent and the long tangent.