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OF HIGWAYS
CHAPTER 4
MITCH A. CE
A. OVERVIEW OF HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT
In highway alignment we
often change direction,
changing direction in
highways is not the same
as changing directions in
intersections. (often in 90
degree angles). In
intersection we often stop,
or slow down.
OVERVIEW OF HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT
On a highway, it
could happen without
stopping or slowing
down. The process of
designing changing
direction of travel on
a highway is called
horizontal
alignment.
OVERVIEW OF HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT
y = ax2 + bx + c
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA (REVIEW)
1
4
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA (REVIEW)
I
(Intersection)
y where two tangents
intersect
y = ax2 + bx + c
C L/2 x T
(Curvature) (Tangency)
beginning of the curve L end of the curve
(Length)
straight line length between T and C of the curve
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA
(Point of Vertical Intersection)
(REVIEW)
PVI
-G2, %
+G1, %
y = ax2 + bx + c
L/2
PVC PVT
(Point of Vertical Curvature) (Point of Vertical Tangency)
L/2
L
(Length)
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA (REVIEW)
PURPOSE OF THE PARABOLIC V CURVE
v provides a transition between two grades
v provides a constant rate of change of
grade
v rate of change of grade, r = (|G2 G1|)/L
vequal tangents property
v means, PVC to PVI = L/2
v used for both sag curves and crest curves
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA (REVIEW)
CREST VERTICAL CURVE
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA (REVIEW)
SAG VERTICAL CURVE
NOTATIONS
v Curve point naming is similar to horizontal curves, with
addition of V for vertical
VERTICAL CURVES HORIZONTAL CURVES
Point of Vertical Curvature (PVC) Point of Curvature (PC)
Point of Vertical Intersection (PVI) Point of Intersection (PI)
Point of Vertical Tangency (PVT) Point of Tangency
y = ax2 + bx + c
C L/2 x T
(Curvature) (Tangency)
beginning of the curve L end of the curve
(Length)
straight line length between T and C of the curve
EQUAL TANGENT PARABOLA
v Parabolic curves are generally used for
design
v Parabolic Function y = ax2 + bx + c
v y = roadway elevation
v x = distance from PVC
v c = elevation of PVC
v Also usually design for equal-length tangents
v ex. half of curve length is before PVI and half
after PVI
FIRST DERIVATIVE OF EQUATION
d2y/dx2 = (G2-G1)/L
1. y = ax2 + bx + c 5.
2. dy/dx = 2ax + b
at PVC, x = 0 6.
dy/dx = b = G1
3. d2y/dx2 = 2a 7. K = L/A
a = G2 G1
2L
8. Xhl = K x |G1|
4.
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
C. CREST VERTICAL
CURVES
CHAPTER 4 GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
MITCH A. CE
DESIGN CONTROLS
FOR VERTICAL CURVES
v Tolerable rate of change of grade
v Drainage of sag curves is an important
consideration
v Primary controlling factor : SIGHT
DISTANCE
v Minimum stopping sight distance (SSD) shall be
provided
SSD and CURVE DESIGN
v Thou Shalt provide adequate stopping
sight distance (SSD)
v Curve construction is expensive, so
v to minimize curve length, it must be subjected to
adequate SSD
v SSD formulation was discussed
v S = dr + db
v S = vtr + v2 .
2g (f + G)
where: v - speed from w/c the vehicle must come to a
stop, design speed or operating speed
v f = a/g
SSD CONSIDERATIONS
v S = vtr + v2 .
2g (f + G)
For computing SSD on vertical curve:
+G1 -G2
2g (f + G)
For computing SSD on a vertical curve
+G1 -G2
use, G = 0
SSD CONSIDERATIONS
v SSD > L (see figure), but it will not be always the case,
it will depend on the speed and grades G1 and G2. SSD
can either be greater than the length of the curve (L) or
it can be less than (L)
+G1
-G2
CREST VERTICAL CURVES
POSSIBILITIES
x
VARIABLES AFFECTING SSD ON CREST CURVES
v The speed and curve geometry
v The drivers eye height in vehicle, H1
v Height of a roadway obstruction object, H2
SSD and L
v SSD may be > L
v SSD may be < L
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v By using the properties of a parabola:
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v Substituting H1 = 1.08 (3.5 ft) m and H2 = 0.6
m (2 ft)
US Customary: Metric:
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v Current AASHTO design standards use the
following specifications:
v H1 (drivers eye height) = 1.08 m (3.5 ft)
v H2 (object height) = 0.60 m (2.0 ft)
PSD & CREST VERTICAL CURVE DESIGN
v A consideration for two-lane highways
v Only a factor for crest vertical curves
v Sag curves have unobstructed sight
distance
v Assume driver eye height and height of
object on roadway surface both 1.08 m
(3.5 ft)
v PSD is much greater than SSD
PSD ON CREST CURVES
v Passing sight distance is important in 2-
lane highway design
v Sight distance required for passing is
generally much longer than required for
stopping L
v For PSD < L For PSD > L
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
D. SAG VERTICAL
CURVES
CHAPTER 4 GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
MITCH A. CE
SAG V CURVE POSSIBILITIES
SAG VERTICAL CURVES
v Four criteria for establishing length of
sag curves.
1. Headlight Sight Distance (HSD)
2. Passenger Comfort - L > AV2/395
3. Drainage Control a grade of 0.35%
be provided within 15 m of the level
point of the curve
4. General Appearance - Lmin = 2V (if
design speed (V) > 60 km/h
SAG CURVE DESIGN FACTORS
Seeing is believing.
SAG CURVE DESIGN FACTORS
v On sag curves night time conditions govern
design
v Critical concern for sag curves is the
headlight sight distance (HSD)
v Headlight sight distance is function of
v the height of the headlight above the
roadway, H
v and the inclined upward angle of the
headlight beam, relative to the
horizontal plane of the car, (beta)
SAG CURVE (PROFILE VIEW)
v the height of the headlight above the roadway, H
v and the inclined upward angle of the headlight
beam, relative to the horizontal plane of the car,
(beta)
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v Minimum length of crest curve required for
adequate SSD
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v For the sight distance required to provide
adequate SSD current AASHTO design standards
use the following specifications:
v H (headlight height) = 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
v (headlight angle) = 1o
MINIMUM CURVE LENGTH
v Substituting these values into the previous two equations
yields:
v H (headlight height) = 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
v (headlight angle) = 1o
v if not sure which equation to use, assume SSD<L first (for either
sag or crest curves)
UNDERPASS SIGHT DISTANCE
v A structure passing over a sag curve may block a drivers
line-of-sight over the full length of the curve.
UNDERPASS SIGHT DISTANCE
UNDERPASS SIGHT DISTANCE
UNDERPASS SIGHT DISTANCE
v Again, from properties of parabola for equal-tangent
curve, we can derive the following formulas
DESIGN RESTRICTIONS ON V. CURVES
v Most ideal conditions are not always
possible
v Possible restrictions (any combination of)
v length of the curve
v G1 or G2 or both
v Hc clearance height (for overpass situation)
v Solution
v One major variable at your discretion as
engineer: SPEED
LOW CLEARANCE
v AASHTO 4.42 m (14.5 ft) the best you can
do is to design clearance at 3.84 m (12.6
ft)
WILL IT WORK?
v Low Clearance.mp4
OTHER CHALLENGES
v Compound curves:
v Combined crest and sags (one
immediately follows the other)
v Combined vertical curve on a
horizontal curve
v Limited distances (length)
v Restricted H and V clearances
E. CIRCULAR CURVES
(REVIEW)
CHAPTER 4 GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HIGHWAYS
MITCH A. CE
SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE
v Center at (h,k)
v (x-h)2 + (y-k)2 = r2
CIRCULAR CURVES & FORMULAS
R= v2____
g(e + f)
SIMPLE CIRCULAR HORIZONTAL CURVE
SIMPLE CIRCULAR HORIZONTAL CURVE
SIMPLE CIRCULAR HORIZONTAL CURVE
STATIONING
v Stationing is done for short-hand designation
of location on the highway
v 20 m (100 ft) represent one station
v fractional meter are followed by + sign
v Location at 2 + 486.123 = 2 km from the
starting point plus 486.123 meters, 3 +
002.100 = 3 km from SP plus 2.1 meters.
(metric)
v Location at 1138.6 feet is represented by
11 + 38.6
v On horizontal curves, stationing is done
ALONG the length of the curve
PROBLEM 1
v A curving roadway has a design of
110 kph. At one horizontal curve,
the superelevation has been set at
6.0% and the coefficient of side
friction is found to be 0.10.
Determine the minimum radius of
the curve that will provide safe
vehicle operation.
SOLUTION
PROBLEM 2
Lc= 104 m
PC = PI - T = 20+000 - 0+052
PC = 19+948
I/2 I/2
PT = PI + T = 20+000 + 0+052
PT = 20+052