Surveying-III

CT-66453

Transition curves
Lecture 11,12,13

Engr. Md Al Amin Akhnd

1
 Curves
Transition Curves
• A curve of varying radius is called a transition curve. It is
also called Spiral Curve or Easement curve .
• It is used on both highway & railway between tangent
and a circular curve in order to have a smooth transition
from tangent to the curve and from curve to the
tangent.
• It is also inserted between two branches of compound
curve.

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1.ক্রান্তি বাঁক
2.সুপার এলিভেশন
3.Mathmatical Relation
Super Elevation
Super Elevation
 Curves
Transition Curves
The need for Transition Curves
• Circular curves are limited in road designs due to the
forces which act on a vehicle as they travel around a
bend.
• Transition curves are used to built up those forces gradually
and uniformly thus ensuring the safety of passenger.
• Allows for gradual application of Super elevation or Cant.
• The Super elevation is designed such that the road
surfa ce is near perpendicular to the resultant force of
gravity and centrifugal inertia.

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Calculate Length Of Transition Curve
Transition Curve
Math
 Curves
Transition Curves
The need for Transition Curves
• In order to transition from a flat roadway to a fully super
elevated section and still maintain the balance of forces,
the degree or sharpness of the curve must begin at zero
and increase steadily until maximum super elevation is
reached. This is precisely what a Spiral Curve does.

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Objects of providing a transition curve
• To accomplish gradually the transition from tangent to the
circular curve or from circular curve to the tangent.
• To obtain a gradual increase of the curvature from zero at
a tangent point to the specified quantity at junction of
the transition curve with the circular curve.
• To Provide a satisfactory mean of obtaining gradual
increase of super elevation from zero on the tangent to
the specified amount on the main circular curve.

1
0
 Curves
Transition Curves
Condition fulfill by a Transition Curve
1.It should meet the original straight (tangent ) tangentially .
2. It should meet circular curve tangentially.
3.Its radius at a junction with circular curve should be same
as that of the circular curve .
4. The rate of increase of the curvature along the transition
curve should be the same as that of the super elevation.
5.Its length should be such that full super elevation is
attained at the junction with the circular curve.

1
1
 Curves
Transition Curves
Types of the transition curve in common use
are
1) A clothoid or used in railway
spiral
2) A cubic parabola
3) A used in highway
lemniscate
• Only mathematical difference
are here.
• In order to admit the transition
curve , the main circular curve
required to be shifted inward.
• When the transition curve is
inserted at each end of the
main circular curve the resulting
curve is called combined or
composite curve. 12
 Curves
Transition Curves
Types of the transition curve in common use
are
1) A clothoid or used in railway
spiral
2) A cubic parabola
3) A used in highway
lemniscate
• Only mathematical difference
are here.
• In order to admit the transition
curve , the main circular curve
required to be shifted inward.
• When the transition curve is
inserted at each end of the
main circular curve the resulting
curve is called combined or
composite curve. 13
 Curves
Transition Curves
Super Elevation
When vehicle moves from tangent on to
the curve the forces acting on it are
• Weight of the vehicle
• Centrifugal force, Both acting through
the center of gravity of the vehicle.
The effect of the centrifugal force is to
push
the vehicle off the rail or road.
To counter act the action the outer rail
or outer edge of the road is raised
above the raising of outer edge of rail
or road above the inner one is ca lled
Super elevation or Cant.
The amount of Super elevation
depends upon
• Speed of the vehicle
1
• Radius of the curve 1
 Curves
Transition Curves
Super Elevation
Let
W = weight of the
vehicle P = centrifugal
Force
V = Speed of the
vehicle, m/s
g = Ac c e leration due
to gravity, m/s2
R = Radius of the curve,
m h= Super elevation,
m
P = 𝑚𝑣 =
2
𝑤𝑣 2
:: w= mg
𝑅 𝑔𝑅
b = Width of the road,
P
m 𝑣2
𝑤 = 𝑔𝑅
For equilibrium the 1
. 2
 Curves
Transition Curves
Super Elevation
tan θ = ℎ 𝑑𝑐 𝑃
𝑏 = 𝑎𝑐= 𝑊

tan θ = ℎ 𝑃 𝑣2
𝑏 = 𝑊 = 𝑔𝑅
h = b tan θ
𝑣2
h = b 𝑔𝑅………………. On highway
2
h = b 𝐺𝑣
𝑔𝑅 ………………. On railway
where G = Distance b/w the centre of the
rail
Super elevation is gradually applied along a transition
curve. Full super elevation is attained at junction of the
transition curve with the circular curve .

1
3
 Curves
Transition Curves
Length of the Transition curve
It may be determine in different ways:
1) As an Arbitrary:
Value from past experiment say 50m.
2) By an Arbitrary Gradient (slope) :
Length of the transition curve may be such that
super
elevation is applied at the uniform rate of 1 in n ,
Where n = 300 to 1200
i.e h feet rise in n feet length
1 feet rise in n feet
length Therefore L = n h
Where
L = Length of transition curve,
m h = super elevation, m
1
1 in n = Rate of canting 4
 Curves
Transition Curves
Length of the Transition curve
3) By the Time Rate
Transition curve may be of such length that cant ( super
elevation ) is applied at an arbitrary time rate of
“a” cm/sec, Where 𝒂 varies from 2.5 cm/sec to 5
cm/sec
Time taken by vehicle in passing over the transition curve:
t = 𝐿𝑣 , sec
Super elevation attain in
this time:
h = 𝑎 t𝐿
h=𝑎𝑣
ℎ𝑣
L= 𝑎
L = Length of the transition V = Speed of the vehicle,
curve, m m/s
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h = amount of super 𝑎 = Time rate (cm/sec)
 Curves
Transition Curves
Length of the transition curve
4) By the Rate of change of Radial Acceleration
This rate should be such that the passengers should not experience
any sensation of discomfort when the train is travelling over the
curve. It is taken as 30 cm/sec2 , which is maximum that will pass
unnoticed. 𝑚𝑣 2
Centrifugal force = P = 𝑅
2
Radial acceleration = a = 𝑣𝑅 , m/sec2
Rate of change of radial acceleration divide by the
time
α = at = vR = RL
2 v3
L
v
𝐿= v3
αR
Out of these methods the 4th method is commonly used
in determining length of the transition curve.
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 Curves
Transition Curves
Length of the transition curve
4) By the Rate of change of Radial
Acceleration By centrifugal ratio
The ratio of centrifugal force to weight is called
centrifugal ratio.
𝑚𝑣2 2
𝑔 𝑤𝑣
𝑃= 𝑥 =
𝑅 𝑔 𝑔𝑅
2
𝑣
𝑃
𝑊 = 𝑔𝑅

Max value of C. Ratio on road

1
4
is
Max value of C. Ratio on railway
1
8
is
1 𝑔𝑅 1 𝑔𝑅
=> 𝑣 => 𝑣
2
On Road: 𝑣 On Railway: 𝑣2
= 4 = 8
𝑔𝑅 = 𝑔𝑅 =
4 𝑔𝑅 3
8 𝑔𝑅 3
4 4
𝐿= 𝑣3 = … 𝐿= 𝑣3 = … 1
𝛼𝑅 𝛼𝑅 𝛼𝑅 𝛼𝑅 7
 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
• The intrinsic equation of the ideal transition curve
(clothoid spiral) may be deduced as:
TB = Initial tangent
T = Beginning of the transition curve
E = Junction point transition curve with
circular curve
M= Any point of transition curve ,
𝑙 m along it from T.
ρ =Radius of transition curve at M
R = Radius of the circular curve
∅ = Inclination of tangent to the
transition curve at M to initial tangent
TB.
∅1 = angle b/w tangent TB and tangent
to the T. Curve at junction E (spiral
1
angle) L = Length of the transition 8
 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
The fundamental requirement of spiral curve is that its radius
of curvature at any point shall vary inversely as a distance 𝑙
from beginning of the curve.
1
ρ𝖺 or ρ = 𝑚 , m = constant of proportionality
𝑙 𝑙
1
ρ= m 𝑙
𝑑∅ 1
For all curves, 𝑑𝑙
= Curvature = ρ

d∅ = 𝑑𝑙ρ = 𝑚 𝑙 𝑑𝑙

Integrating, ∫ 𝑑∅ = ∫ 𝑚 𝑙 𝑑𝑙
𝑚 𝑙2
∅= 2 +𝐶
When 𝑙 = 0 then ∅ = 0 then C
=0 1
𝒎 𝒍𝟐 …
∅= 𝟐 9
 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
At point E:
𝑙 = L , ∅ = ∅ 1 (spiral has here max value)
1
:: ρ1 = 1
= 𝑚 𝐿 𝑜𝑟 𝑚 = 𝑅𝐿

𝑙2
𝑅 𝑅𝐿x 2
𝐿1
∅ == ….. (b)
∅1 2𝑅
At point
M: 1
∅=∅,𝑚=
𝑅𝐿
1
∅= 𝑙2
𝑅𝐿 𝑥 2
2
∅ = 2 𝑙𝑅 𝐿 … (c)
𝑙2
∅= = , 𝐾=𝑅𝐿
2 𝑙𝑅2 𝐿 2𝐾 2
0
 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
If the curve is to be set out by offsets from the tangent at
the commencement of the curve (T), it is necessary to
calculate the rectangular (Cartesian) co-ordinates, the
‘axes of co- ordinate’ being the tangent at T as the x-
axis and a line perpendicular to it as the y-axis.

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
M and N be the two points at a distance 𝜹𝒍 apart on
the curve. Let the co-ordinate of M and N be
M => (x , y)
N => (x + 𝜹x, y + 𝜹y)
And respective inclinations of the tangents at M and N
to the
initial tangent (TB) at T, ∅ and ∅ + 𝜹∅

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
𝑐𝑜𝑠∅ = 𝑑 𝑥 and sin∅ = 𝑑 𝑦
𝑑𝑙 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠∅ and 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑛∅
∅2 ∅4
𝑐𝑜𝑠∅ = ( 1 − 2! + 4! − 𝑒𝑡𝑐)
∅3 ∅ 5
𝑠𝑖𝑛∅ = ( ∅ − 3! + 5! − 𝑒𝑡𝑐)
∅2 ∅4
𝑑𝑥 = 1− + − ….
𝑑𝑙
2! 4!
∅3 ∅5 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑦 = ∅ − 3! + −⋯.
1 1
5! )2 * + 𝑙2 𝑙2 )4 * − …)𝑑𝑙
2𝐾 2! 2𝐾 4!
(
Integrating
𝑑𝑥 = ( 1 − (
𝑑𝑥 5
𝑥= 𝑙 − 𝑙 + 𝑙
9
…
40 𝑘 2 3456 𝑘 4
.
𝒙=𝒍 𝟏 − 𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝟐 + 𝒍𝟒 𝒍𝟖
𝟑𝟒𝟓𝟔 𝒌𝟒
… …
(A) 26
 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
At ∅ = 𝑙2 = 𝑙2
2𝑘 2𝑅𝐿

… ……..(A
𝟐
∅ ∅𝟒
𝒙=𝒍 𝟏 − 𝟏𝟎 + 𝟐𝟏𝟔
2 1)
𝑑𝑦 = ( 𝑙 − ( 𝑙2 ) * + (𝑙 2 )5 *1 − …)𝑑𝑙
3 1
2𝐾 2𝐾 5!
2𝐾
Integrating
3!
𝑑𝑦
𝒚= 𝒍𝟑 − 𝒍𝟕 + 𝒍𝟏𝟏 … … (B)
𝟔𝑲 𝟑𝟑𝟔 𝒌𝟑 𝟒𝟐𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝟓
𝟑 ∅𝟒
𝒚 = 𝒍 ∅𝟐 ….
𝟔 𝑲 𝟏 − 𝟏𝟒+ 𝟒𝟒𝟎
(𝐁𝟏)
…
1) Rejecting all the terms of equation A and
B
except 1st :
At 𝑥 =𝑙 3 𝑙
𝑦 = 6 𝑅 𝐿 = 6 𝑅𝑥 𝐿 … eqn of cubic
3

parabola

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
2) If we take 1st term only of equation B
𝑦 = 6𝑙 𝐾 = 6 𝑅𝑙 𝐿 … Eqn of Cubic
3 3

Spiral
𝑙--- along curve , 𝑦 --- offset
3)Taking 1st and 2nd terms of eqns A
and B
𝑥 = 𝑙 1 − 40𝑙 𝑘 2 = 𝑙 1 − 40 𝑙
4 4

(𝑅𝐿)2
𝑙3
𝑦 = 6𝐾 1− 𝑙4 4
1 − 56 (𝑅𝐿)3
𝑙
56 𝑘 3 =
6𝐾
𝑙3

From which the co-ordinate of any point on

the
true or clothiod spiral nay be obtained, the
length
𝑙 measured along curve.

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Ideal Transition curve
Now tan 𝛼 = 𝑥𝑦 , where 𝛼 = deflection angle i.e the
anglebetween the tangent and the line from T to
MTB
any
point M
𝑙3 on the
∅2 curve.
∅4
… 1 − +
6𝐾 14 440
tan 𝛼 =
∅4
𝑙 ∅2
1 − 10 + 216 …
∅ ∅2
tan 𝛼 = ( 1 + + . . ) , neglecting other
terms
3∅ 35
tan 𝛼 = 3
Since ∅ is usually small( a small fraction of a
radian)
𝛼 = ∅3 , But ∅ 2 𝑙𝑅 𝐿
2

= 2
𝑙

= 6 𝑅 𝐿 radian
𝛼= 𝑙2
2𝑅𝐿
3
s
1800 𝑙 2
𝛼= 𝜋𝑅𝐿 minutes

𝛼 = 60 𝜋 𝑅 𝐿 degrees
1800 𝑙2 2
6
 Curves
Transition Curves
Characteristics of a Transition
curve

2
7
 Curves
Transition Curves
Le Characteristics of a Transition
tTB = original tangent curve
T = commencement of the transition
curve E = end of the transition curve
EE2 = tangent to both the transition and
circular curve at E
Y = EE1 = offset to junction point E of both
curve
X = TE1 = x co-ordinate of E
EE’ = redundant circular curve
T1 = point of intersection of line (OE`) T to
tangent
at the Cir. Curve at E` and original tangent
TB
S = E’T1 = shift of the circular curve
N = point in which OE’ cuts the transition
2
curve 8
 Curves
Transition Curves
Characteristics of a Transition
a) EE’ = R 1 but ∅1 = 2 𝑅 curve
𝐿
∅ ;
EE’ 𝐿 𝐿
= x R = 2𝑅
But EN2 is very nearly equal to EE’
EN =2𝐿 … A
That is the shift E`T1 bisect the transition Curve at N
Hence TN = 2𝐿
b) Draw EG
perpendicular to OE’
S = E`T1 = GT1 – GE`
=EE1 – GE`
S = Y – 2 R sin2 ∅21
S = Y – R(1 – cos∅
𝐿2 1
)
𝐿
Or Y = 𝐿3 =
But and ∅1 =
6𝑅𝐿 6𝑅 2𝑅
2 2
S = 6𝐿𝑅 – 2 R sin (∅21)2 = 6𝐿𝑅 – 2 R (∅21)2 2
9
 Curves
Transition Curves
Characteristics of a Transition
curve
Neglecting
2 𝐿 power of ∅1
higher
S = 6 𝑅2 – 2 𝑥 (
𝐿 R
)2
𝐿 2𝑅
–
S = 6𝐿𝑅 2

8𝑅
S = 𝐿2 ……
24 𝑅
(B)
TN3 (𝐿/2 )3 L2 S
Also NT1 = = =
6𝑅𝐿 6𝑅𝐿 48 𝑅 = 2

NT1 = 2S
i.e Transition curve bisect the shift.

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 Curves
Transition Curves
Characteristics of a Transition
curve
Tangent length for Transition Curve:
BT = BT1 +T1T ∆ 𝐿
BT = (R + S) tan 2 + 2

Length of Circular Curve:

Length of EE` = 𝜋 R 180

(∆ −2∅
𝑜 1
)

Length of Total Combined Curve:

= 𝜋 R (∆ −2∅ 1)
+2L
180 𝑜

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 Transition Curves
Problem 01:The full data refer to a
composite curve.
Deflection angle (∆) = 60o 30’
Max speed 60
miles/hour Centrifugal
ratio ¼
Max ratio of radial acc. (𝛼) 1feet/sec
Chainage of intersection point at 8565
feet
Determine:
1) Radius of Circular curve
2) Length of transition curve
3)The chainage of the beginning and end
of transition curve and at the junctions of
the transition curve with the circular curve.

35
1 mile = 5280 feet
 Transition Curves
Solution: Problem 01
1) Radius of Circular
curve: V = 60 mph
V= 60 𝑥 5280 𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
60 𝑥 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 88
𝑠𝑒𝑐2
C.R = 𝑔𝑣 𝑅 = 14
4 𝑣2 4 88 2
R= = = 961.99 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
𝑔 32.2
2) Length of Transition curve:
𝑣3
𝛼 =𝑅𝐿
(88)3
1=
961.99 𝐿
L = 798.40 feet
3) Tangent Length:
BT = (R + S) tan 2∆ + 𝐿 2

Shift= S = 𝐿2 = 21.74 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡

24 𝑅
∆ 3
BT = (961.99 + 21.74) tan + 798.40 = 927.89 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 3
 Transition Curves
Solution: Problem
01 π 𝑅 (∆
4) EE’ = length of Cir. C urve = 180𝑜
−2∅)
𝐿 𝑜
∅ 180
𝑥 𝜋 = 21 5’45.69’’
o
2𝑅
=
EE’ = 307.39 feet ( length of C ir.
Curve)
Chainage of intersection point B = 8565
Minus tangent length = - 927.11
Chainage of T = 7637.11
Plus length of T. Curve = + 708.40
Chainage of E = 8345.51
Plus length of Cir. curve = + 307.39
Chainage of E’ = 8652.90
Plus length of T. Curve = + 708.40
Chainage of T’ = 9361.30
feet
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 Transition Curves

Assignment No 2
Example 1, 2, 3and 4 page
193

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