CE

FIELD WORK 1
LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE USING
TRANSIT AND TAPE
(INCREMENTAL CHORD AND DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD)

Actual

Course and Section: CE121F-C11

Submitted by: James Vincent Go
Presentation
Name: Go, James Vincent B.
Student No.: 2015105857
Group No.: 3
Report
Date of Fieldwork: October 19, 2017
Date Submitted: October 27, 2017

Final Grade
Submitted to:

___Engr. Rodmar Santoalla__

Instructor
 I. Introduction

In this fieldwork, we will be laying a simple curve by using a transit and a tape. A simple
curve consists of a circular arc tangent to two straight sections of a route. A thorough
knowledge of the simple curve- its basic geometry, calculation, and method of staking- is
necessary to understand more complex curve problems.

One may think that laying out a curve is simply a matter of locating the center of a
circle, where two known or computed radii intersect, and then swinging the arc of the
circular curve with a tape. For some applications, that can be done; for example, when you
are laying out the intersection and curves of a private road or driveway.

In this field work, one of the ways to lay out a curve is used-- deflection angle method,
which is based on the fact that in geometry both an inscribed angle and an angle formed by
a tangent and a chord are measured by one-half the intercepted arc. Also, by definition, each
central angle between full stations is equal to the degree of curve.

II. Objectives

1. To be able to lay a simple curve by deflection angle.

2. To master the skill in leveling, orienting and using the theodolite effectively.

III. Instruments
1. Range Pole

a straight pole or rod sometimes jointed, usually

painted in one-foot bands of alternate colors of
red and white, and used for sighting points and
lines in surveying.
2. Theodolite

a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for

measuring horizontal and vertical angles.

3. 50-meter tape
A measuring tape used to measure distances with a
maximum of 50 meters.

4. Chalk
Used for marking points in pavements.
 IV. Procedures

1. The professor gives the following data:

a. R = ____15_____m
b. Station of the Vertex = __10+0.35__
c. Adopt Full Chord Length= _____2_____m
2. The student compute the elements of the simple curve using the following formulas:
If the azimuths of the backward and forward tangents are given, the
intersection angle I can be solved using:

I = azimuth of the forward tangent - azimuth of the backward tangent

The tangent distance must be solved using:

T = R*tan( I/2)

The middle ordinate distance can be computed using:

M = R*( 1 - cos(I/2) )

The length of the curve (Lc) can be computed using (provided that I is in
radians)

Lc = I * R

The long chord (C) can be solved using:

C = 2*R*sin (I/2)

The station of PC can be computed using:

Station of PC = Station V - T

The station of PT can be found by:

Station of PT = Station PC + Lc

The length of the first sub chord from PC, if PC is not exactly on a full station
(otherwise C1 = a full chord length):

C1 = first full station on the curve - Station PC

 The length of the last sub chord from PC, if PC is not exactly on a full station
(otherwise C2 = a full chord length):

C2 = Station PT - last full station on the curve

The value of the first deflection angle d1:

d1 = 2*sin-1 ( C1 / 2R )

The value of the last deflection angle d2:

D2 = 2*sin-1 ( C2 / 2R )

3. Set up the transit/theodolite over the vertex V, level the instrument and sight/locate
PC and PT using the computed length of the tangent segments. Mark the position of
PC and PT by marking pins if on soft ground or chalk if on pavement.
4. Transfer the instrument over PC, level and start locating points of the curve using the
following procedures:
a. Initialize the horizontal vernier by setting to zero reading. Tighten the upper
clamp and adjust it with the upper tangent screw.
b. Using the telescope, sight the vertex or PI with the vernier still at zero reading.
c. Tighten the lower clamp and focus it using the lower tangent screw.
d. With the lower tangent screw already tight, loosen the upper clamp and start
to measure half the first deflection angle. Mark the direction with a range pole.
Along this line, using a marking pin/chalk, mark point A measured with a tape
the length of the first subchord.
e. Locate the next point B, a full chord length from point A but this time
intersecting the line sighted at an angle of half the sum of d1 and the full D of
the curve. Note that the transit/theodolite is still positioned over station PC.
f. Proceed in locating other points on the curve following step E until you cover
all full chord stations on the entire length of the curve.
 g. Measure the distance and from the last full station on the curve and
intersecting the line of sight with a deflection angle equal to half the
intersection angle, mark the last point as PT.
5. Check the position of PT by determining the length of PC from PT and compare it to
the computed total length of the chord of the simple curve.

V. Computations
Given:
R=15m
I= 70
1 +2 +
Central Incremental Angle= 2Rsin1 21 Deflection Angle= 2

Point Central Incremental Angle Deflection Angle from Back Tangent

A 1 3.82
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 3.82 = 1.91
2(15) 2
B 2 3.82 + 7.65
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 5.74
2(15) 2
C 2 3.82 + 7.65(2)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 9.56
2(15) 2
D 2 3.82 + 7.65(3)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 13.39
2(15) 2
E 2 3.82 + 7.65(4)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 17.21
2(15) 2
F 2 3.82 + 7.65(5)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 21.04
2(15) 2
G 2 3.82 + 7.65(6)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 24.86
2(15) 2
H 2 3.82 + 7.65(7)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 28.69
2(15) 2
I 2 3.82 + 7.65(8)
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 7.65 = 32.51
2(15) 2
J 1.326 3.82 + 7.65(8) + 5.07
2(15) sin1 ( ) = 5.07 = 35.05
2(15) 2
VI. Sketch
VIII. Application

Curves are usually provided whenever a road changes its direction from right to S (vice versa)
or changes its alignment from up to down (vice versa). Curves are a critical element in the
pavement design. They are provided with a maximum speed limit that should lie followed
very strictly. Following the speed limit becomes essential as the exceed in speed may lead to
the chances of the vehicle becoming out of control while negotiating a turn and thus increase
the odds of fatal accidents. Also, it is very necessary that appropriate safety measures be
adopted at all horizontal and vertical curves to make the infrastructure road user friendly and
decrease the risks of hazardous circumstances.

IX. Summary and Conclusion

Curves are staked out usually by the use of deflection angles turned at the PC from the
tangent to stations along the curve together with the use of chords measured from station
to station along the curve. The curve is set out by driving pegs at regular interval equal to the
length of the normal chord. Usually, the sub-chords are provided at the beginning and end of
the curve to adjust the actual length of the curve. The method is based on the assumption
that there is no difference between length of the arcs and their corresponding chords of
normal length or less. The underlying principle of this method is that the deflection angle to
any point on the circular curve is measured by the one-half the angle subtended at the center
of the circle by the arc from the P.C. to that point.

If we set a theodolite up at either the P.C. or the P.T., and sight on the vertex with
the plates set at zero, we can turn the correct angle to any point on a curve of constant
radius by merely setting an angle equal to half the angle at the center subtended by the
chord joining the instrument and the desired point.
 Since a curve rarely begins or ends at a full station, the two subchords are initially
computed using the value of a full station, stations of PC and PT, they will then adjoin PC
and PT. After solving for the subchords, d1 and d2 can be computed using the formula
aforementioned.

The degree of the curve in this field work is computed by arc basis- the degree of
curve is the cental angle subtended by an arc, 20 meters in this case. Therefore, given the
radius, the degree of curve will be the ratio of arc length and radius. Note that the angle
computed here is in radians.

The length of the long chord is measured at the end from PC to the new PT. Its is then
compared to the computed value of the long chord using the formula 2R sin (I/2).

In this field work, we were able to lay out a simple curve using the incremental chord
and deflection angle method. Also, we utilized the theodolite which made us more familiar
and used to it. The length of the measured chord is relatively close to the computed value.
From these, I can say that this field work is successful. I have learned that when laying out a
simple curve, it is important to familiarize yourself with the geometry of curves and the most
important here is knowing that both an inscribed angle and an angle formed by a tangent and
a chord are measured by one-half the intercepted arc.

Sagging of the tape is the most probable cause of error in this field work, another is
marking the stations because the range poles may not be held vertically. However, error due
to these was diminished because of accurate sightings of the stations using the theodolite. I
recommend to use a smaller length of a full station so that the sagging of the tape may be
neglected.
XI. Recommendation

I recommend that the should be solved a day before the data needed and check it if
it is correct already. When reading something from the theodolite always ask somebody else
to do the reading for the group to know if something is wrong right away so you can correct
it and never repeat all of it from the start. I would also recommend to check the instruments
if it is in good condition so that your group will not be responsible if it is already broken.
Borrow equipments early to prevent running out of stock and start early so you have plenty
of time in case you need to repeat the fieldwork.