You are on page 1of 232

Math For Surveyors

James A. Coan Sr. PLS


Topics Covered
1) The Right Triangle
2) Oblique Triangles
3) Azimuths, Angles, & Bearings
4) Coordinate geometry (COGO)
5) Law of Sines
6) Bearing, Bearing Intersections
7) Bearing, Distance Intersections
Topics Covered
8) Law of Cosines
9) Distance, Distance Intersections
10) Interpolation
11) The Compass Rule
12) Horizontal Curves
13) Grades and Slopes
14) The Intersection of two grades
15) Vertical Curves
The Right
Triangle
B

Side Opposite (a)


A C
Side Adjacent (b)

a b a
SineA = CosA = TanA =
c c b

c c b
CscA = SecA = CotA =
a b a
The Right Triangle

The above trigonometric formulas

Can be manipulated using Algebra

To find any other unknowns


The Right Triangle
Example:
a a
SinA = SinA c = a =c
c SinA
b b
CosA = CosA c = b =c
c CosA

a a
TanA = TanA b = a =b
b TanA
Oblique Triangles

An oblique triangle is one that does


not contain a right angle
Oblique Triangles

This type of triangle can be solved

using two additional formulas


Oblique Triangles

The Law of Sines


a b c
= =
Sin A Sin B Sin C

b a

A B
c
Oblique Triangles
The law of Cosines
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc Cos A

b
a

A c B
Oblique Triangles

When solving this kind of triangle we can

sometimes get two solutions, one solution,

or no solution.
Oblique Triangles

When angle A is obtuse (more than 90) and


side a is shorter than or equal to side c,
there is no solution.

b a

c B
A
Oblique Triangles
When angle A is obtuse and side a is greater
than side c then side a can only intersect side
b in one place and there is only one solution.

a
b
B
A c
Oblique Triangles
When angle A is acute (less than 90) and side a
is longer than side c, then there is one solution.

b
a

A c B
Oblique Triangles
When angle A is acute, and the height is given
by the formula h = c Cos A, and side a is less
than h, but side c is greater than h, there is
no solution.

h
b
a

A B
c
Oblique Triangles
When angle A is acute and side a = h, and h is
less than side c there can be only one solution

C
b
a=h

A c B
Oblique Triangles
When angle A is an acute angle and h is less
than side a as well as side c, there are
two solutions.
C

b
h a
C
a

A B
c
Azimuth

Angles

Bearings
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth:

An Azimuth is measured clockwise from North.

The Azimuth ranges from 0 to 360


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth: N
360 0

270 90

180
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth to Bearings
In the Northeast quadrant the Azimuth and
Bearing is the same.
N

AZ = 503020 = N 503020E
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth to Bearings

In the Southeast quadrant, subtract the


Azimuth from 180 to get the Bearing.

180 - 1432335 = S 363625E


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth to Bearings

In the Southwest quadrant, subtract 180


from the Azimuth to get the Bearing

2054552 180 = S 254552W


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Azimuth to Bearings

In the Northwest quadrant, subtract the


Azimuth from 360 to get the Bearing.

360 - 3412540 = N 183420W


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths

In the Northern hemisphere Bearings are


measured from North towards East or West

N 473046E
N 532652W
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths

In the Southern Hemisphere the Bearings are


measured from South to East or West

S 713140E

S 292536W
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths
In the Northeast quadrant, the Bearing and
Azimuth are the same.
N

N 453030E = AZ 453030
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths

In the Southeast quadrant, subtract the


Bearing from 180 to get the Azimuth.

180 - S 512513E = AZ 1283447


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths
In the Southwest quadrant, add the Bearing to
180 to get the Azimuth.

S 462030W + 180 = AZ 2262030


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Bearings to Azimuths
In the Northwest quadrant, subtract the Bearing
from 360 to get the Azimuth.

360 - N 512541W = AZ 3083419


Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings

Angles:

To find the Angle between two Azimuths,


subtract the smaller Azimuth from the
larger Azimuth.

3255030 Larger Azimuth


2152010 Smaller Azimuth
1103020 Angle
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Angles:

If both bearings are in the same quadrant,


subtract the smaller bearing from the larger
bearing.
S 823540E
S 251510E
572030
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Angles:

If both angles are in the same hemisphere


(NE and NW) or (SE and SW), add the two
bearings together to find the angle

N 301526E
N 211014W
512540
Azimuth, Angles, & Bearings
Angles:
If one bearing is in the NE and the other is in
the SE or (NW and SW), add the two together
and subtract the sum from 180

180-(N155025W+S 201015W)=1435920
Coordinate Geometry

COGO
Coordinate Geometry

The science of coordinate geometry states

that if two perpendicular directions are

known such as an X and Y plane (North

and East).
Coordinate Geometry

The location of any point can

be found with respect to the origin of

the coordinate system,


Coordinate Geometry

or with respect to some other known point on

the coordinate system.


Coordinate Geometry
This is accomplished

by finding the deference between the X

and Y coordinates (North and East) of a

known and unknown point and adding

that deference to the known point.


Coordinate Geometry

The magnitude and direction (Azimuth and

distance) can also be found between

two points if the coordinates of the two

points are known.


Coordinate Geometry

C East B

DEast CscA =
B& D
SineA =
B& D DEast
North B& D
DNorth SecA =
CosA = DNorth
B& D
DEast DNorth
TanA = CotA =
DNorth
A
DEast
This will give you the angle from Pt. A
to Pt. B
Coordinate Geometry

Pythagorean Theorem

Dist = DNorth + DEast


2 2

This will give you the distance from


Pt.A to Pt.B
Coordinate Geometry

Example 1

Known:

The coordinates for point A

The bearing and distance from point


A to point B
Coordinate Geometry

Example 1
Point A coordinates
N 10,000.00 E 5,000.00

The bearing from Point A to point B


N 364716E

The distance from Point A to Point B


1,327.56 feet
Coordinate Geometry

Example 1: East B

North

A N 10,000.00
E 5,000.00
Coordinate Geometry

Warning!

You must convert the degrees,


minutes, and seconds of your bearing
to decimal degrees before you find the
trig function
Coordinate Geometry
Example 1

Find North:

Cos. Bearing x Distance = North

Cos. N 364716E x 1,327.56 = 1,063.19


Coordinate Geometry
Example 1:
Find East

Sine Bearing x Distance = East

Sine N 364716E x 1,327.56 = 795.01


Coordinate Geometry

Example 1:

Because point B is Northeast of point A


you must add your calculated distances
(both North and East) to the
coordinates of A to find the coordinates
of point B
Coordinate Geometry

Example 1:

North A + North = North B

East A + East = East B


Coordinate Geometry

Example 1:

N 10,000.00 + 1,063.19 = 11,063.19

E 5,000.00 + 795.01 = 5,795.01

Point B
North = 11,063.19
East = 5,795.01
Coordinate Geometry
Example 2:

Given:
Coordinates of point A
N 10,000.00 E 5,000.00

Coordinates of point B
N 10,978.69 E 3,924.71
Coordinate Geometry
Example 2: Point B
N 10,978.69
E 3,924.71

Note:
Point B is
Point A
Northwest of
N 10,000.00
Point A
E 5,000.00
Coordinate Geometry
Example 2:

First
Find the deference in North between
point A and point B

Point B = 10,978.69
Point A = 10,000.00
Deference = 978.69
Coordinate Geometry
Example 2:

Second
Find the deference in East between
point A and point B

Point A = 5,000.00
Point B = 3,924.71
Deference=1,075.29
Coordinate Geometry
Example 2:
Third
Find the distance between point A
and point B
Dist = North2 + East2

Dist = 978.692 + 1,075.292

The distance from A to B = 1,453.99


Coordinate Geometry
Example 2:

Fourth

Find the bearing from point A to


point B

1,075.29
East Tan A =
Tan A =
North 978.69
Coordinate Geometry

Example 2:

Fifth
The angle from point A to point B is
474134

Because point B is Northwest of point A the


bearing is N 474134W
The Law of Sines

a b c
= =
Sin A Sin B Sin C
C

A B
c
The Law of Sines

The law of Sines can be used to


solve several Surveying problems,
such as finding the center of
section
The Law of Sines

Example 1:

Given

Coordinates for all 4 section quarter


corners

Need to find
The center quarter corner
The Law of Sines

a
Points
a, b, c, & d
Have known
d b
coordinates

c
The Law of Sines
First
a
Inverse
between points
c and d
d b

c
The Law of Sines

a
This gives a
bearing and
distance from c
to d d b

c
The Law of Sines

Next a
Inverse
between a & c

d b
And inverse
between d & b

c
The Law of Sines

After inversing a
you will have a

Bear & Dist


bearing and
distance Bear & Dist
b
d
between a & c
as well as d & b

c
The Law of Sines

Because the bearings of all three


lines are known the angles between
them can be calculated.
The Law of Sines

Angle Angle
Bearing
d b

Bearing

c
Angle
The Law of Sines

What we now know:

The bearing from c to d


The bearing from d to b
The bearing from c to a
The Law of Sines

What we now know:

The angle at d
The angle at c
The angle at the center of section (e)
The distance from c to d
The Law of Sines

Angle Angle (e)


Bearing
d b

Bearing

c
Angle
Law of Sines

We can now solve for the following:


The distance from d to e
or
The distance from c to e
or
Both distances
By using the Law of Sines
Law of Sines

Dist. d-c Dist. c-e


=
Angle e Angle d

(Dist d-c)(Angle d)=(Dist c-e)(Angle e)

(Dist d-c)(Angle d)
Dist c-e =
Angle e
Law of Sines

At this point we have a known bearing


and distance from point c ( with known
coordinates) to point e (the center of
section)
Law of Sines

We now have all of the information


we need to calculate the coordinates
at the center of section ( the center
corner)
Law of Sines

In Surveying this type of


a problem is called a
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

N Cor.

Center
corner

W Cor. E Cor.

S Cor.
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Given:
W Cor.; N=12,645.70, E=5,021.63

N Cor.; N=15,234.25, E=7,705.86

E Cor.; N=12,532.42, E=10,319.91

S Cor.; N=10,008.06, E=7,510.70


Bearing; Bearing Intersection
First:

Find the difference in North and East


from the South corner and the West
corner.

North = 2,637.64

East = 2,489.07
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Second:

Find the distance by inverse between the


South corner and the West corner.

Distance = 2,637.642+2,489.072

Distance = 3,626.65
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Third:
Find the bearing by inversing between
the South corner and West corner

2,489.07
Bearing = Tan-1
2,637.64

Bearing = N 432024W
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Fourth:
Find the bearing between the South
corner and the North corner.

195.16
Bearing = Tan-1
5,226.19

Bearing = N 020819E
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Fifth:
Find the bearing between the West
corner and the East corner.

5,289.28
Bearing = Tan-1
113.28

Bearing = S 884623E
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

We now have the following:

S 884623E
W E 1/4
N 020819E

S 1/4
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Sixth:
Calculate the angles between the
bearings:

S 884623E
A C

N 020819E
B
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Angle A:

S 884623E
S 432024E
452559
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Angle B:

N 432024W
+
N 020819E
452843
Bearing; Bearing Intersection
Angle C:
C = 180-(A + B)

180-(452559+452843)=890518

N 884623W
Check: +
S 020819W
905442

180 - 905442 = 890518


Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Now we have:
890518
452559

We can use the


Law of Sines to
solve for one of
the unknown
sides. 452843
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Seven:
Solve for the distance from the south
quarter corner ( S ) to the center of
section (C Cor.)

OR
The distance from the West quarter
corner ( W ) to the center of section
( C Cor.)
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Distance from the S cor. to the C cor.

3,626.65 Dist. S1/4 to C


=
Sin 890518 Sin 452559

(3,626.65)(Sin 452559)
Dist. =
Sin 890518

Dist = 2,584.07
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Now we have the bearing and


distance from a known coordinate
(the south corner) to an
unknown point (the center of
section)
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Eight:

Use Coordinate Geometry to


calculate the coordinates of the
center of section
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Cos. Bearing x distance = North

Cos. N 020819E x 2,584.07 = 2,582.27

Sin. Bearing x distance = East

Sin. N 020819E x 2,584.07 = 96.43


Bearing; Bearing Intersection

Because the bearing from the S cor.


To the center of section is Northeast you
must add both the North and the
East to the known coordinates at the
S corner to get the coordinates of the
center of section.
Bearing; Bearing Intersection

S North = 10,008.06
Delta North = 2582.27
C North = 12,590.33

S East = 7,510.70
Delta East = 96.43
C East = 7,607.13
Another way the Law of Sines
is used in Surveying is
calculating a
Bearing; Distance intersection
Bearing; Distance Intersection

Example:
D

C
N 001025E

Smith Property
205.36

N 893015E 352.25

B A
Bearing; Distance Intersection
Given:
A = N 10,003.05 ; E 5,352.24
C = N 10,205.36 ; E 5,000.62

Bearing from C to D = N 745630E

Distance from A to D = 312.37

We need to find the coordinate for


point D
Bearing; Distance Intersection

CAUTION!!
D

C D
N 001025E
205.36

N 893015E 352.25

B A
There can be two answers to this problem
Bearing; Distance Intersection

Because there can be two answers


to this type of problem the surveyor
must have an understanding of
what they are looking for.

There is no magic bullet


Bearing; Distance Intersection
First:
Inverse between A and C

A to C, North = 202.31
A to C, East = 351.62

Bearing, A to C = N 600507W
Distance, A to C = 405.67
Bearing; Distance Intersection

We now have:
D
We need to find

C
C
N 001025E
205.36

N 893015E 352.25

B A
Bearing; Distance Intersection
Second:
Bearing C-D = N 745630E
Bearing C-A = S 600507E

Angle C = 180-(Bearing C-D + Bearing C-A)

Angle C = 180-(745630 + 600507)

Angle C = 445823
Bearing; Distance Intersection

We now have:
D

C
445823
N 001025E
205.36

N 893015E 352.25

B A
All we need to find Angle D
Bearing; Distance Intersection
Third:

Use the Law of Sines to Find Angle D

312.37 405.67
=
Sin. 445823 Sin. Angle D

(Sin 445823)(405.67)
Sin. D =
312.37
Bearing; Distance Intersection

The Sine of D = 0.917876488

Angle D = 663703

Now we can find the Bearing from A to D


Bearing; Distance Intersection

We now have:
D

663703
C
445823
N 001025E
205.36

N 893015E 352.25

B A
Bearing; Distance Intersection

Forth:

Calculate the bearing from D to A

Bearing D to C = S 745630W

Angle D = 663703

Bearing from D to A = S 081927W


Bearing; Distance Intersection

Now we have a bearing and distance

from point A, a known coordinate, to

point D
Bearing; Distance Intersection

Use coordinate geometry to


calculate the coordinates of point D

North = 309.08

East = 45.22
Bearing; Distance Intersection
Finish:

Northing of A = 10,003.05
North A to D = 309.08
Northing of D = 10,312.13

Easting of A = 5,352.24
East A to D = 45.22
Easting of D = 5,397.46
The last intersection problem we
need to discuss is the

Distance, Distance
Intersection
In order to solve a Distance, Distance
Intersection we need to use

The Law of Cosines!


The Law of Cosines can be used when
you have a Triangle with all three
distances but no angles.

Example:
C

Distance
A B
The Law of Cosines

a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc Cos A

Solving for Cos A, we get

a2 b2 c2
Cos A =
-2bc
As stated, using the Law of Cosines a

surveyor can solve a Distance,

Distance Intersection Problem


WARNING
You can get two answers to this kind
of a problem
Distance, Distance Intersection

Pt A Pt B
North North
East East

C
Distance, Distance Intersection
Problem:
Find the coordinates for Point C

Given:
Coordinates for points A and B
Distance from point A to point C
Distance from point B to point C
Distance, Distance Intersection

Needed:

The coordinate for Point C


Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Point A:
North = 10,104.94
East = 5,910.69
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

Point B:
North = 10,108.47
East = 6,383.80
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

North = 3.53
East = 473.11
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

First:

Inverse between points A and B


To find the bearing and distance
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

473.11
Tan-1 =89.572508828
3.53

89.572508828 = 893421
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Because point B is North and


East of Point A, the bearing
becomes:

N 893421E
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

3.532 + 473.112 = 473.12


Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:
We now have:

A B
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

The distance from point A to point C is


192.49

The distance from point B to point C is

339.44
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:
Now we have:

B
A
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

We need to use the Law of Cosines to


calculate one of the angles.

a2 b2 c2
Cos A =
-2bc
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

339.442 192.492 473.122


Cos A =
-2(192.49)(473.12)

Cos A = 0.799791540

Angle A = 365323
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Now we have
1) The bearing from Pt. A to Pt. B
2) The angle at Point A
We can calculate a bearing from Pt. A
to Pt. C
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

B
A
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

We now have:
1) A coordinate at point A
2) A bearing from point a to
point C
3) A distance from point A to
point C
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:
C

A
N 10,104.94
E 5,910.69
Distance, Distance Intersection
Example:

We can calculate the coordinates at


point c by using coordinate geometry
(Cogo)
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

North = Cos 524058 x 192.49

North = 116.69
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

East = Sine 524058 x 192.49

East = 153.09
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Northing coordinate at C =
North A = 10,104.94
North A to C = 116.69
North C = 10,221.63
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Easting coordinate at C =
East A = 5,910.69
East A to C = 153.09
East C = 6,063.78
Distance, Distance Intersection

Example:

Coordinates at C
North = 10,221.63
East = 6,063.78
The Compass Rule

( Bowditch Rule)
The Compass Rule

Mainly used for:

1) Traverse closure computations

2) Used throughout the Public Land


Survey System (PLSS)

It also has many other applications in


Surveying.
The Compass Rule

The Formula:
C
Correction = S
L
C = The total error in Latitude ( North) or
Departure ( East) with the sign changed.

L = The total length of the Survey.

S = The length of a particular course.


The Compass Rule Example:

Record C
Info. C
B
Found Found
A

N10,000.00 N10,199.16
A= C=
E 5,000.00 E 5,408.96
The Compass Rule Example

Need to find:

The corrected coordinates for


point B
The Compass Rule Example

First:

Using the record information calculate the

coordinates for points B and C


The Compass Rule Example

Second:

Calculate the Latitude ( North) and the

Departure ( East) from point C to point C


The Compass Rule Example

Third

Use the Compass Rule to calculate the

corrections for point B


The Compass Rule Example

Record and field coordinates for point A

N 10,000.00 E 5,000.00

Record coordinates for point B

N 10,131.05 E 5,204.85
The Compass Rule Example

Record coordinates for point C

N 10,200.37 E 5,408.15

Field coordinates for point C

N 10,199.16 E 5,408.96
The Compass Rule Example

C coordinates = N10,200.37 E 5,408.15

C coordinates= N10,199.16 E 5,408.96


1.21 -0.81
The Compass Rule Example

Total length of the survey = 457.98

Length from point A to point B = 243.19

Total error in Latitude with the sign changed


= -1.21

Total error in Departure with the sign


changed = 0.81
The Compass Rule Example

Latitude from point A to point B = 131.05

Departure from point A to point B = 204.85


The Compass Rule Example

Correction of the Latitude from point A to

point B using the Compass Rule is

-1.21
x 243.19 = -0.64
457.98
The Compass Rule Example

Correction of the Departure from point A to

point B using the Compass Rule is

0.81
x 243.19 = 0.43
457.98
The Compass Rule Example

Corrected Latitude=131.05 + (-0.64) = 130.41

Corrected Departure = 204.85 + 0.43 = 205.28

Corrected coordinates for point B

N 10,000.00 + 130.41 = 10,130.41

E 5,000.00 + 205.28 = 5,205.28

q.e.d.
Interpolation
Interpolation:

Determination of an intermediate value

between fixed values from some known or

assumed rate or system of change.

(Definitions of Surveying and Associated

Terms American Congress on Surveying and Mapping)


Interpolation:

Formula

(x2 x1)(y3 y1)


y2 = + y1
(x3 x1)
Example:

Given
x1 = 423100
y1 = 0.9168665 (tangent of x1)
x2 = 423117
y2 = Unknown (tangent of x2)
x3 = 423200
y3 = 0.9174020 (tangent of x3)
Example:

Find: the tangent of 423117 by interpolation

(423117 423100)(0.9174020 - 0.9168664)


y2 = + 0.9168665
(423200 423100)

Y2 = 0.9170182
Interpolation:

What did we do?


Interpolation:

You can quickly see that we have calculated


17/60 of the difference between the two given
tangents then added this number to the
tangent of 423100
Example 2

0.9174020 0.9168665 = 0.0005355

0.0005355 x 17/60 = 0.0001517

0.9168665 + 0.0001517 = 0.9170182


Horizontal
Curves
Horizontal Curve

PC PT
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve

Arc

PC PT

RP
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve
PI

PC PT

RP
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve
PI

PC PT
Chord

RP
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve
PI
Delta Angle

PC PT
Chord

Delta Angle
RP
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve
PI

PC M PT
Chord

CL Curve
RP
E = External M = Middle Ordinate
Horizontal Curve
Parts of a Curve
PI
Delta

PC PT

Delta CL Curve
RP
Horizontal Curve

Formulas: Length of Arc:

Length of Arc (L) = 360 (2pR)


Horizontal Curve

Formulas: Tangent Distance (T)

Tangent (T) = Radius (Tan D/2)


Horizontal Curve
Formula: Chord Distance (C)

Chord Distance (C) = 2R SinD/2


Horizontal Curve
Formula: Radius (R)

T
Radius (R) =
TanD/2

OR

Radius (R) = T CotD/2


Horizontal Curve

Degree of Curve:
100
NOTE:
Arc distance must 1
always be 100

Degree of Curve (D) = 5729.58


R
Horizontal Curve
Formula: Delta Angle (D)

Delta Angle (D) = 180L


pR
Horizontal Curve
Formula: External

R
External (E) = -R
Cos D/2
Horizontal Curve

Formula: Middle Ordinate

Middle Ordinate (M) = (Sin D/2) T - E


Horizontal Curve
Example:

Given:
Length of Arc (L) = 396.72

Radius (R) = 526.54


Horizontal Curve
Example:
Find:
Tangent Distance (T)
Length of Chord (C)
Radius (R)
Degree of Curve (D)
The Delta Angle (D)
The External (E)
The Middle Ordinate (M)
Horizontal Curve
Find the Delta Angle (D) Delta (D) = 180L
pR
Delta (D) = 180 x 396.72
3.1415927 x 526.54

Delta (D) = 43.169334995 = 431010

Half Delta (D/2) = 213505


Horizontal Curve
Find the Tangent (T) Tangent (T) = R Tan D/2

Tangent (T) = 526.54 x Tan 213505

Tangent (T) = 208.31


Horizontal Curve
Chord Distance (C) = 2R SinD/2

Chord (C) = 2 x 526.54 x Sin 213505

Chord (C) = 387.40


Horizontal Curve
Degree of Curve (D) = 5729.58
R

Degree of Curve (D) = 5729.58


526.54

Degree of Curve (D) = 10.88156645

Degree of Curve (D) = 105254


Horizontal Curve
R
External (E) = -R
Cos D/2

526.54
External (E) = - 526.54
Cos 213505

External (E) = 39.71


Horizontal Curve

Middle Ordinate (M) = (Sin D/2) T - E

(M) = Sin 213505 x 208.31 39.71

(M) = 36.92
Horizontal Curve
Results:
Length of Arc (L) = 396.72 (given)
Tangent Distance (T) = 208.31
Length of Chord (C) = 387.40
Radius (R) = 526.54 (given)
Degree of Curve (D) = 105254
The Delta Angle (D) = 431010
The External (E) = 39.71
The Middle Ordinate (M) = 36.92
Horizontal Curve
Reverse Curve:
R.P.1 P.I.2 Curve 2

P.T.
P.C. P.R.C.

Curve 1 R.P.2
P.I.1
Horizontal Curve
Compound Curve:
Curve 2

Tan. P.C.C. P.I.2


P.I.1

Rad.
Tan.

R.P.2
P.T.
P.C. Rad.

Tan.
Rad.
R.P.1
Curve 1
Grades
&
Slopes
Grades

A grade is expressed as a calculation of how


steep a slope is either going up or down.

If the slope is going up, the grade is +

If the slope is going down, the grade is -


Grades
Example:

Difference in Elevation
Grade =
Distance

D Elev.
Horizontal Distance
Grades
Example:

16.84
Grade = = 0.0477798 ft / ft
352.45

16.84
352.45
Grades

Grades can also be expressed as a


Percent (%) by multiplying the grade times 100

0.0478 ft / ft x 100 = 4.78 %


Grades
A grade is also the tangent of an angle

opposite = D elevation
Tangent =
adjacent = distance

opposite
D elev.
Angle

adjacent, distance
Grades

Formulas used with grades:

Grade x distance = D Elevation


Grades

Formulas used with grades:

D Elevation
Distance =
Grade
Grades

Formulas used with grades:

D Elevation
Grade =
Distance
Slopes

A slope is a ratio of the horizontal distance to


the vertical distance.

Horizontal distance

distance
Vertical
Slopes
Example:

2.0
A 2:1 slope down =

1.0
1.0
A 3:1 slope up = 3.0
Slopes and Grades

Slopes are expressed as a ratio;


2:1, 5:1, 0.25:1, 8:3, etc

Grades are expressed as ft / ft; 0.025 ft/ft


Or as a present ;
2.0%, 10.34%, 7.62%, etc
Locating the
Intersection of Two
Grades
The Intersection of two Grades
The purpose of locating the intersection of
two grades is to fix the point of intersection
(PVI) of those grades.
Station1

Station2
PVI Sta.?
Elev1

Elev2
Elev. ?
The Intersection of two Grades
Formulas:

G1
b1 = Elev1 - x Station1 (in feet)
100

G2
b2 = Elev2 - x Station2 (in feet)
100
The Intersection of two Grades

Formulas:

b1 b2
PVI Station = G1 G2
-
100 100
The Intersection of two Grades
Example:

Station1 = 7+00 Station2 = 13+00


Elevation1 = 201.40 Elevation2 = 207.50
Grade1 = -1.00% Grade2 = +2.00%
The Intersection of two Grades
Example:

-1.00 x 700 = 208.40


b1 = 201.40 -
100

+2.00
b2 = 207.50 - x 1300 = 181.50
100
The Intersection of two Grades

Example:

208.40 181.50
PVI Station = = -896.67
-1.00% - +2.00%
100 100

Use the absolute value: -896.67 = 8+96.67


The Intersection of two Grades
Example:

Grade x distance = difference in elevation

-0.01 x 196.67 = -1.97

Elevation at PVI = 201.40 1.97 = 199.43


Vertical
(Parabolic)
Curves
Vertical Curves

Vertical curves are used as a


transition from one grade to another
Vertical Curves

Vertical curves are needed in six separate


cases. They Are:

+ - + -
+ -

+ -
+ - - +
Vertical Curves

Length L

PVT
PVC

L/2 L/2
x

PVI
Sump
Vertical Curves

Formulas:

r 2
Elevation = x + G1x + PVC Elevation
2

G2 G1
r=
L

x = Distance from the PVC


Vertical Curves
Sump or Peak (Low or High point)

Formula:

-G1
x=
r
The high or low point is Always on the
lesser grade side (absolute value)

x = Distance from the PVC


Vertical Curves
Example:

Given:
G1 = -1.5% = -0.015 ft/ft
G2 = +2.5% = +0.025 ft/ft
Length = 300.00 ft
Vertical Curves
Example:

Given:
PVC Station = 3+50.00; Elevation = 326.25 ft
PVI Station = 5+00.00; Elevation = 324.00 ft
PVT Station = 6+50.00; Elevation = 327.75 ft
Vertical Curves

Need to find:

Elevations at each 50 ft station along the


vertical curve.

The Sump (low point) station and elevation


Vertical Curves

First: Calculate r G2 G 1
r=
L

0.025 (-0.015)
r= = 0.0001333
300.00
Vertical Curves

Second: Calculate elevations

r 2
Elevation = x + G1x + PVC Elevation
2

0.0001333
4+00 = 502+(-0.015)(50)+326.25
2

Elevation at Station 4+00 = 325.67


Vertical Curves
Station X Elevation
3+50 PVC 0 326.25
4+00 50 325.67
4+50 100 325.42
5+00 PVI 150 325.50
5+50 200 325.92
6+00 250 326.67
6+50 PVT 300 327.75 (Chk)
Vertical Curves
Third: Calculate the sump distance
-G1
Formula: x =
r

-(-0.015)
x= = 112.50
0.0001333

The Sump Station is at 4+62.50


Vertical Curves

Elevation at the Sump:

r 2
Elevation = x + G1x + PVC Elevation
2
0.0001333
4+00 = 112.502+(-0.015)(112.50)+326.25
2

Elevation at Station 4+62.50 = 325.41


Vertical Curves
LA LB

PVCB

PVIB

PVT
PVTA
PVIA
PVC

L/2A L/2A L/2B L/2B

Unsymmetrical Vertical Curve


G3 = G
Vertical Curves

Calculate G3 from the center of the first curve

to the center of the second curve

Calculate each part of the curve as if it was a

regular vertical Curve


The

End

You might also like