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Vertical Alignment
Vertical Alignment
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PLAN
PROFILE
Definition: It is the elevation or the profile of the center line of the road Objective:
Determine elevation to ensure Proper drainage Acceptable level of safety
Primary challenge
Transition between two grades Vertical curves
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1- Gradients
/ . % = tan ) ( G = +ve ) ( G = -ve
:
. . . . %- .%
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2- Vertical Curves
Design Criteria
1. 2. 3. 4. Provision of minimum sight distance Adequate drainage Comfortable in operation Pleasant appearance
The first criterion is only associated with crest curves, whereas all four criteria are associated with sag vertical curves.
G1
G2
G2
G2
G1
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y = ax + bx + c
2
y = ax2 + bx + c Where: y = roadway elevation at distance x x = distance from beginnning of vertical curve a, b = coefficients that define shape c = elevation of PVC
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L x
y = ax 2 + bx + c
Choose Either:
G1, G2 in decimal form, L in feet G1, G2 in percent, L in stations
Not here
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Line of Sight
PVC
G1
PVT
G2
h1 L
h2
L=
200 h1 + h2
A(SSD )
200 h1 + h2 L = 2(SSD ) A
Simplified Equations
For SSD < L For SSD > L
A(SSD ) L= 1329
L = 2(SSD )
1329 A
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Other Properties
K-Value (defines vertical curvature)
The number of horizontal feet needed for a 1% change in slope
L K= A
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G1
G2
h1
h2=0
L = 2(SSD )
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Simplified Equations
For SSD < L For SSD > L
Other Properties
G1 x
PVC y ym G2 yf
PVT
A = G1 G2
PVI
y=
A 2 x 200 L
ym =
AL 800
yf =
AL 200
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Example
A 400 ft. equal tangent crest vertical curve has a PVC station of 100+00 at 59 ft. elevation. The initial grade is 2.0 percent and the final grade is -4.5 percent. Determine the elevation and stationing of PVI, PVT, and the high point of the curve. PVI PVT
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Example 1
A car is traveling at 30 mph in the country at night on a wet road through a 150 ft. long sag vertical curve. The entering grade is -2.4 percent and the exiting grade is 4.0 percent. A tree has fallen across the road at approximately the PVT. Assuming the driver cannot see the tree until it is lit by her headlights, is it reasonable to expect the driver to be able to stop before hitting the tree?
Example 2
Similar to Example 1 but for a crest curve. A car is traveling at 30 mph in the country at night on a wet road through a 150 ft. long crest vertical curve. The entering grade is 3.0 percent and the exiting grade is -3.4 percent. A tree has fallen across the road at approximately the PVT. Is it reasonable to expect the driver to be able to stop before hitting the tree?
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Example 3
A roadway is being designed using a 45 mph design speed. One section of the roadway must go up and over a small hill with an entering grade of 3.2 percent and an exiting grade of -2.0 percent. How long must the vertical curve be?
Vertical curvature should be coordinated with horizontal Sharp horizontal curvature should not be introduced at or near the top of a pronounced crest vertical curve
Drivers may not perceive change in horizontal alignment esp. at night
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed. P. 284
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
A B
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
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Vertical Curve AASHTO Controls (Sag) Headlight Illumination sight distance with S < L
S<L L=
AS2
400 + (3.5 * S)
Source: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (The Green Book). Washington, DC. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2001 4th Ed.
L = 2(313.67 ft) (400 + 2.5 x 313.67) = 377.70 ft [3 (-3)] 313.67 < 377.70, so condition does not apply
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L=
6 x (313.67 ft)2
= 394.12 ft
46.5
46.5
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Example: A crest vertical curve joins a +3% and 4% grade. Design speed is 75 mph. Length = 2184.0 ft. Station at PVI is 345+ 60.00, elevation at PVI = 250 feet. Find elevations and station for PVC and PVT. L/2 = 1092.0 ft Station at PVC = [345 + 60.00] - [10 + 92.00] = 334 + 68.00 Distance to PVC: 0.03 x (2184/2) = 32.76 feet ElevationPVC = 250 32.76 = 217.24 feet Station at PVT = [345 + 60.00] + [10 + 92.00] = 357 + 52.00 Distance (vertical) to PVT = 0.04 x (2184/2) = 43.68 feet Elevation PVT = 250 43.68 = 206.32 feet
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Example: A crest vertical curve joins a +3% and 4% grade. Design speed is 75 mph. Length = 2184.0 ft. Station at PVI is 345+ 60.00, elevation at PVI = 250 feet. Station at PVC is 334 + 68.00, Elevation at PVC: 217.24 feet. Calculate points along the vertical curve. X = distance from PVC y = Ax2 200 L Elevationtangent = elevation at PVC + distance x grade Elevationcurve = Elevationtangent - y
Example: A crest vertical curve joins a +3% and 4% grade. Design speed is 75 mph. Length = 2184.0 ft. Station at PVI is 345+ 60.00, elevation at PVI = 250 feet. Find elevation on the curve at a point 400 feet from PVC.
Elevation at tangent = 217.24 + (400 x 0.03) = 229.24 Elevation on curve = 229.24 4.40 feet = 224.84
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