4. Example Problem #1 OAK HURST ROAD Two tangents intersect at Station 4 + 016.770.

The
deflection angle to the right is 40o 00' 00". It is decided to design the highway for a maximum speed of
90 km/hr, and using AASHTO* recommendation for superelevation and friction a minimum radius of 270
meters and a maximum degree of curve, Da is to be 22o . Calculate T, La, R and the stationing of the P.C.
and P.T. using 20 meter arc length. * American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Green Book (AASHTO 42,815 people killed in 38, 309 fatal crashes in 2002, 25% of these crashes
occurred on horizontal curves)

Explanation When we speak of a station on a curve we are given a specific location from the start of the
survey. In the above problem, the P.I. is given as Stn. 4 + 316.770. What we are saying is that The P.I. is
4,016.770 m from the start of the survey. The problem also stated that is is 40o to the right, this says
that when we stand at the P.C. and look in the direction in which the survey is progressing, the curve
deflects to the right. Solution Given P . I . = Stn. 4 + 016.770 = 40 o 20 meter arc For
simplification/safely Da may be rounded down to 20 o . Using arc definition, Recompute R and calculate
T and La R = = = 286.479 m R = 286.479 m La = x 2 R = 100 = 100 x = 200.000 La = 200.000 m T = R tan
= 286.479 tan = 104.270 T = 104.270 m P.I. = Stn. 4 + 016.770 T 0 - 104.270 P.C. Stn 3 + 912.500 La 0 +
200.000 P.T. Station 4 + 112.500
The angle of intersection of a circular curve is 45 30' and its radius is 198.17 m. PC is at
Sta. 0 + 700. Compute the right angle offset from Sta. 0 + 736.58 on the curve to
tangent through PC.
A. 2.98 m
B. 3.37 m
C. 3.09 m
D. 3.87 m

Length of curve from PC to A:

s=736.58700s=736.58700
s=36.58 ms=36.58 m

Angle subtended by arc s from the center of the curve:

s=2R360s=2R360
36.58=2(198.17)36036.58=2(198.17)360
=10.58=10.58

Length of offset x:
cos=RxRcos=RxR
x=RRcos=198.17198.17cos10.58x=RRcos=198.17198.17cos10.58
x=3.37 mx=3.37 m [ B ] answer
Problem
The angle of intersection of a circular curve is 36 30'. Compute the radius if the external
distance is 12.02 m.
A. 203.74 m
B. 253.72 m
C. 226.94 m
D. 214.67 m

cos(I2)=RR+Ecos(I2)=RR+E

cos1815=RR+12.02cos1815=RR+12.02
Rcos1815+12.02cos1815=RRcos1815+12.02cos1815=R
RRcos1815=12.02cos1815RRcos1815=12.02cos1815
R(1cos1815)=12.02cos1815R(1cos1815)=12.02cos1815
R=12.02cos18151cos1815R=12.02cos18151cos1815
R=226.94 mR=226.94 m [ C ] answer
Problem
Given the following elements of a circular curve: middle ordinate = 2 m; length of long chord =
70 m. Find its degree of curve, use arc basis.
A. 4.5
B. 5.3
C. 2.9
D. 3.7

Apply Pythagorean theorem to find the radius:

(R2)2+352=R2(R2)2+352=R2
(R24R+4)+1225=R2(R24R+4)+1225=R2
4R=12294R=1229
R=307.25 mR=307.25 m

Degree of curve (arc basis):

20D=2R36020D=2R360
20D=2(307.25)36020D=2(307.25)360
D=3.7D=3.7 [ D ] answer
Reversed Curve to Connect Three Traversed
Lines
Situation
A reversed curve with diverging tangent is to be designed to connect to three traversed
lines for the portion of the proposed highway. The lines AB is 185 m, BC is 122.40 m,
and CD is 285 m. The azimuth are Due East, 242, and 302 respectively. The following
are the cost index and specification:

Type of Pavement = Item 311 (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement)

Number of Lanes = Two Lanes
Width of Pavement = 3.05 m per lane
Thickness of Pavement = 280 mm
Unit Cost = P1,800 per square meter

It is necessary that the PRC (Point of Reversed Curvature) must be one-fourth the
distance BC from B.

1. Find the radius of the first curve.

A. 123 m
B. 156 m
C. 182 m
D. 143 m
2. Find the length of road from A to D. Use arc basis.
A. 552 m
B. 637 m
C. 574 m
D. 468 m
3. Find the cost of the concrete pavement from A to D.
A. P2.81M
B. P5.54M
C. P3.42M
D. P4.89M
Solution

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

T1=14BC=14(122.4)=30.6 mT1=14BC=14(122.4)=30.6 m
T2=122.430.6=91.8 mT2=122.430.6=91.8 m
R1=T1tan14=30.6tan14=122.73 mR1=T1tan14=30.6tan14=122.73 m [
A ] answer for part 1
R2=T2tan30=91.8tan30=159.00 mR2=T2tan30=91.8tan30=159.00 m

Total length of road from A to D

L=154.40+2(122.73)(28)180+(159)(60)180+193.20L=154.40+2(122.73)(28
)180+(159)(60)180+193.20
L=154.40+59.98+166.50+193.20L=154.40+59.98+166.50+193.20
L=574.08 mL=574.08 m [ C ] answer for part 2
Area of road pavement
A=154.40(6.10)+[(119.68+6.10)2119.682](28)360 +[(155.95+6.10)2
155.952](60)360 +193.20(6.10)+193.20(6.10)A=154.40(6.10)+[(119.68+
6.10)2119.682](28)360 +[(155.95+6.10)2155.952](60)360 +193
.20(6.10)+193.20(6.10)
A=160.50+365.86+1015.68+1178.52A=160.50+365.86+1015.68+1178.52
A=2720.56 m2A=2720.56 m2

Cost of concrete pavement

C=1,800(2720.56)=P4,897,008C=1,800(2720.56)=P4,897,008 [ D ] answer
for part 3
Simple Curves
Terminologies in Simple Curve
PC = Point of curvature. It is the beginning of curve.
PT = Point of tangency. It is the end of curve.
PI = Point of intersection of the tangents. Also called vertex
T = Length of tangent from PC to PI and from PI to PT. It is known as subtangent.
R = Radius of simple curve, or simply radius.
L = Length of chord from PC to PT. Point Q as shown below is the midpoint of L.
Lc = Length of curve from PC to PT. Point M in the the figure is the midpoint of Lc.
E = External distance, the nearest distance from PI to the curve.
m = Middle ordinate, the distance from midpoint of curve to midpoint of chord.
I = Deflection angle (also called angle of intersection and central angle). It is the angle of
intersection of the tangents. The angle subtended by PC and PT at O is also equal to I,
where O is the center of the circular curve from the above figure.
x = offset distance from tangent to the curve. Note: x is perpendicular to T.
= offset angle subtended at PC between PI and any point in the curve
D = Degree of curve. It is the central angle subtended by a length of curve equal to one
station. In English system, one station is equal to 100 ft and in SI, one station is equal to 20
m.
Sub chord = chord distance between two adjacent full stations.

Sharpness of circular curve

The smaller is the degree of curve, the flatter is the curve and vice versa. The sharpness
of simple curve is also determined by radius R. Large radius are flat whereas small
radius are sharp.

Formulas for Circular Curves

The formulas we are about to present need not be memorized. All we need is geometry
plus names of all elements in simple curve. Note that we are only dealing with circular
arc, it is in our great advantage if we deal it at geometry level rather than memorize
these formulas.
Length of tangent, T
Length of tangent (also referred to as subtangent) is the distance from PC to PI. It is the
same distance from PI to PT. From the right triangle PI-PT-O,

tanI2=TRtanI2=TR
T=RtanI2T=RtanI2

External distance, E
External distance is the distance from PI to the midpoint of the curve. From the same
right triangle PI-PT-O,

cosI2=RR+EcosI2=RR+E
R+E=RcosI2R+E=RcosI2
E=RsecI2RE=RsecI2R
Middle ordinate, m
Middle ordinate is the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the midpoint of the
chord. From right triangle O-Q-PT,

cosI2=RmRcosI2=RmR
RcosI2=RmRcosI2=Rm
m=RRcosI2m=RRcosI2

Length of long chord, L

Length of long chord or simply length of chord is the distance from PC to PT. Again,
from right triangle O-Q-PT,

sinI2=L/2RsinI2=L/2R
RsinI2=L/2RsinI2=L/2
L=2RsinI2L=2RsinI2

Length of curve, Lc
Length of curve from PC to PT is the road distance between ends of the simple curve. By
ratio and proportion,

LcI=2R360LcI=2R360
Lc=RI180Lc=RI180

An alternate formula for the length of curve is by ratio and proportion with its degree of
curve.

LcI=1stationDLcI=1stationD
Lc=1stationIDLc=1stationID
SI units: 1 station = 20 m

Lc=20IDLc=20ID

English system: 1 station = 100 ft

 Lc=100IDLc=100ID

If given the stationing of PC and PT

Lc=Stationing of PT Stationing of PCLc=Stationing of PT Stationing of PC

Degree of curve, D
The degree of curve is the central angle subtended by an arc (arc basis) or chord (chord
basis) of one station. It will define the sharpness of the curve. In English system, 1
station is equal to 100 ft. In SI, 1 station is equal to 20 m. It is important to note that 100
ft is equal to 30.48 m not 20 m.

Arc Basis
In arc definition, the degree of curve is the central angle angle subtended by one station
of circular arc. This definition is used in highways. Using ratio and proportion,

1stationD=2R3601stationD=2R360
SI units (1 station = 20 m):

20D=2R36020D=2R360

English system (1 station = 100 ft):

 100D=2R360100D=2R360

Chord Basis
Chord definition is used in railway design. The degree of curve is the central angle
subtended by one station length of chord. From the dotted right triangle below,

sinD2=halfstationRsinD2=halfstationR
SI units (half station = 10 m):

sinD2=10RsinD2=10R

English system (half station = 50 ft):

sinD2=50RsinD2=50R

Minimum Radius of Curvature

Vehicle traveling on a horizontal curve may either skid or overturn off the road due
to centrifugal force. Side friction f and superelevation e are the factors that will
stabilize this force. The superelevation e = tan and the friction factor f =
tan . The minimum radius of curve so that the vehicle can round the curve without
skidding is determined as follows.
From the force polygon shown in the right
tan(+)=CFWtan(+)=CFW
tan(+)=Wv2gRWtan(+)=Wv2gRW
tan(+)=Wv2WgRtan(+)=Wv2WgR
tan(+)=v2gRtan(+)=v2gR
The quantity v2/gR is called impact factor.

Impact factor

if=v2gRif=v2gR

Back to the equation tan ( + ) = v2/gR

tan(+)=v2gRtan(+)=v2gR
tan+tan1tantan=v2gRtan+tan1tantan=v2gR
Recall that tan=etan=e and tan=ftan=f
e+f1ef=v2gRe+f1ef=v2gR
But ef0ef0, thus
e+f=v2gRe+f=v2gR

Radius of curvature with R in meter and v in meter per second

R=v2g(e+f)R=v2g(e+f)

For the above formula, v must be in meter per second (m/s) and R in meter (m).
For vin kilometer per hour (kph) and R in meter, the following convenient formula
is being used.

R=(vkmhr)2(1000mkm1 hr3600 sec)2g(e+f)R=(vkmhr)2(1000mkm1 hr3600 se

c)2g(e+f)
R=v2(13.6)2g(e+f)R=v2(13.6)2g(e+f)
R=v2(3.62)g(e+f)R=v2(3.62)g(e+f)
R=v2(3.62)(9.80)(e+f)R=v2(3.62)(9.80)(e+f)

Radius of curvature with R in meter and v in kilometer per hour

R=v2127(e+f)R=v2127(e+f)

Using the above formula, R must be in meter (m) and v in kilometer per hour (kph).
Compound and Reversed Curves
Compound Curves
A compound curve consists of two (or more) circular curves between two main tangents
joined at point of compound curve (PCC). Curve at PC is designated as 1 (R1, L1, T1, etc)
and curve at PT is designated as 2 (R2, L2, T2, etc).

Elements of compound curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PI = point of intersection
PCC = point of compound curve
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
 T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
L = length of long chord from PC to PT
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from V1 to V2
= 180 - I
x and y can be found from triangle V1-V2-PI.
L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of PI

Sta PT=Sta PIxT1+Lc1+Lc2Sta PT=Sta PIxT1+Lc1+Lc2

Reversed Curve
Reversed curve, though pleasing to the eye, would bring discomfort to motorist
running at design speed. The instant change in direction at the PRC brought some
safety problems. Despite this fact, reversed curves are being used with great success
on park roads, formal paths, waterway channels, and the like.
Elements of Reversed Curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PRC = point of reversed curvature
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from V1 to V2

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC
Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of V1

Sta PT=Sta V1T1+Lc1+Lc2Sta PT=Sta V1T1+Lc1+Lc2

Reversed Curve for Nonparallel Tangents

The following figure is an example reversed curves of unequal radii connecting
non-parallel tangents.

Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents

The figure below is an example of reversed curves of unequal radii connecting
two parallel roads.