LACEBAL, Juan III T.

2011150323

CE121 / C2

SPIRAL CURVES
HISTORY

Spiral curves were originally designed for the Railroads to

smooth the transition from a tangent line into simple curves.
They helped to minimize the wear and tear on the tracks.
Spiral curves were implemented at a later date on highways to
provide a smooth transition from the tangent line into simple
curves. The highway engineers later determined that most
drivers will naturally make that spiral transition with the
vehicle; therefore, spiral curves are only used on highways
in special cases today.

Because they were used in the past and in special cases today,
we need to know how to calculate them.

From the surveyors perspective, the design of spiral curves

has already been determined by the engineer and will be
documented on existing R/W and As-built plans. All we have to
do is use the information shown on these plans to fit the
spiral curve within our surveyed alignment.

DEFINITION
Spiral is a curve which has a varying radius. It is used on
railroads and some modern highways. Its purpose is to provide a
transition from the tangent to a simple curve or between simple
curves in a compound curve.

Elements of Spiral Curve

TS = Tangent to spiral
SC = Spiral to curve
CS = Curve to spiral
ST = Spiral to tangent
LT = Long tangent
ST = Short tangent
R = Radius of simple curve
Ts = Spiral tangent distance
Tc = Circular curve tangent
L = Length of spiral from TS to any point along the spiral

Ls = Length of spiral
PI = Point of intersection
I = Angle of intersection
Ic = Angle of intersection of the simple curve
p = Length of throw or the distance from tangent that the
circular curve has been offset
X = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent
to any point on the spiral
Xc = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent
to SC
Y = Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral
Yc = Distance along tangent from TS to point at right
angle to SC
Es = External distance of the simple curve
= Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral
s = Spiral angle from tangent to SC
i = Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral,
it is proportional to the square of its distance
is = Deflection angle from TS to SC
D = Degree of spiral curve at any point
Dc = Degree of simple curve

Formulas for Spiral Curves

Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral:

Offset distance from tangent to any point on the spiral:

Length of throw:

Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral (in

radian):

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral:

Tangent distance:

Angle of intersection of simple curve:

External distance:

Degree of spiral curve: