Types of Curves

• Circular
i. Simple
ii. Compound
iii. Reverse
• Parabolic/ Spiral
i. Transition
ii. Vertical
 Simple Curve
The simple curve is an
arc of a circle. It is the
most commonly used. R

The radius of the circle

determines the R

“sharpness” or “flatness”
of the curve. The larger
the radius, the flatter” the
curve.
Compound Curve
Surveyors often have to R

use a compound curve

because of the terrain.
This curve normally
consists of two simple r

curves curving in the

same direction and joined
together.
Reverse Curve
A reverse curve consists of R
two simple curves joined
together but curving in
opposite directions. For
safety reasons, the surveyor
should not use this curve
unless absolutely necessary R
 Spiral Curve
The spiral is a curve with sp
ira
varying radius used on l

railroads and some R

modern highways. It
provides a transition from
the tangent to a simple Easement or
Transitional Curve
curve or between simple
curves in a compound
curve.
 TYPES OF CURVES

Simple Curve
Compound Curve

R
R R

Reverse Curve
spiral R
R

R R
Easement or
spiral
Transitional Curve
 Definition and Notation of Simple Curve

V’
V
PI ∆

C
T1
D T2
PC PT
A B
R
R
∆/2
∆/2
∆
 Design of Curve
Arc Definition
100 ft
“Degree of Curve”
Central angle subtended by
a circular ARC of 100 ft
R R
D/100’ = 360/ 2R = Full circle angle / circumference D
So R = 5729.578 / D
Thus, radius of 1 curve is 5729.578 ft

Chord Definition
“Degree of Curve”
Central angle subtended by
a circular CHORD of 100 ft
Sin(D/2)=50 /R
100 ft
R = 50 / Sin(D/2)
When D is small, Sin(D/2) may be taken as D/2 rad R D/2 R
R= 50/(D/2 x Π/180)= 5729.578/D
R= 5730/D ( Approx)
 For SI Unit
Arc Definition
20 Meter
“Degree of Curve”
Central angle subtended by
a circular ARC of 20 m
R R
D/360 = 20/ 2R = full circle angle / circumference D
So R = 1145.92/ D
R = 1146/D m ( approx)

Chord Definition
20 Meter
“Degree of Curve”
Central angle subtended by R R
a circular CHORD of 20 m D
Similarly, R = 1146 /D

If the definition is based on 10 m arc length, we have

D/ 360 = 10 / 2R
From which, R = 572.958/D m
So, R = 573/D m
 ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE CURVE

Length of the Curve (l)

2R/360=l/∆
Thus, l=(R/180)x∆ [ Note, ∆ in deg]
Arc Definition :
If, Length of Arc is 100 ft for D° Angle
l = 100 ∆ /D
If, Length of Arc is 20 m for D° Angle
l = 20 ∆/D
• Tangent Length ( T) :
∆ OT1V
Tan ∆/2 = T/ R
Thus, T = R Tan ∆/2
Length of Long Chord ( L) :
∆ OT1D
Sin (∆/2) = (L/2)/R
Thus, L = 2R Sin (∆/2)
Apex Distance / External Distance(E):
E = VC= VO-OC = VO-R
From ∆ VT1O, Cos ∆/2 = T1O/VO [ T1O= R ]
VO= R/ Cos ∆/2 = R Sec ∆/2
Thus, E = R Sec ∆/2 -R
Mid Ordinate (M) :
M= CD= CO-DO = R- DO
From ∆ DT1O, Cos ∆/2 = DO/T1O = DO/R
So, DO= R Cos ∆/2
Thus, M = R- R Cos ∆/2
?