Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Cabambangan, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Civil Engineering

A. Course Code / Title : HRENG 313 – Highway and Railroad Engineering

B. Module Number : Chapter 2 – Highway Curves

C. Duration : 12 hours

D. Description : This module explains the different planning surveys used in

Highway and Railroad Engineering and the principles of highway
location. The various curves used on horizontal and vertical
alignment will be discussed.

E. Objectives : At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:
1. Be familiar about different planning surveys.
2. Understand and appreciate principles of highway location
3. Learn the different horizontal and vertical curves on
engineering surveys.
4. Solve problems related to horizontal and vertical curves

F. Contents :

2.1 Planning Surveys

Before developing a highway, a number of surveys are done at various sites to collect data. There are various
types of surveys;

a. Traffic Data
This data is beneficial for the best utilized type of road (MDR, NH, SH) to be created on the path. This includes
traffic volume survey, origin destination survey, vehicles damage surveys (vdf) etc.

b. Social Data
While constructing a highway, many shops and houses got affected or damaged. Thus, a social survey is
done along road side, town villages and shops. The surveyors collect data about villagers and have discussions about
the project and ask for cooperation during the years for construction. In small town or villages there are limited sources
for people to live. For example a village could have only a well, a hand pump, or a small river as a source of water. For
construction at such places alternate water recourses must be found. This type of data can only be found from various
discussions with villagers.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 1

c. Environment Data
Environment is another important factor which must be taken under consideration before planning a highway.
A report regarding affecting number of trees, flora and fauna near construction sites, pollutants increased during
construction in air and water must be prepared and submitted to environment ministry to get the green signal for
development.

d. Roads Inventory and condition surveys

Under this survey condition of pavement and structures (bridges and culverts) along the road are taken. If
the condition structures are poor, they need to be reconstructed. If conditions are fair, they are widened or repaired. If
conditions are good they are retained.

2.2 Highway Location

An important initial step in the design of a proposed highway is to determine the location. The basis for
selecting the location can be topography, soil characteristics, cost, and environmental factors. The data required are
usually obtained from different types of surveys, depending on the factors being considered. Engineering consultants
and state agencies that are involved in highway location employ computerized techniques that assemble vast amounts
of data compiled using remote sensing, aerial photography and/or computer graphics to produce topographic maps
that are used to develop candidate alternatives for highway location.

2.3 Horizontal Curves

Route surveys are horizontal and/or vertical plane surveys. There are four types of horizontal curve: Simple,
Compound, Reverse, and Spiral Curve.

2.3.1 Simple Curves

Simple Curve – is a circular curve used to connect two tangents intersecting at a point.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 2

Elements of a Simple Curve:
1. Point of curvature (PC) – the point where the curve leaves the first tangent; sometimes this point is called TC or
tangent to curve.
2. Point of tangency (PT) – the point where the curve joints the second tangent; sometimes called CT or curve to
tangent.
3. Vertex (V) – the point of intersection of the tangents; also called PI or point of intersection.
4. Tangent distance (T) – the distance from the vertex to the PC or PT.
5. External distance (E) – the distance from the vertex to the middle of the curve.
6. Long chord (LC) – a straight line joining the PC and PT.
7. Middle ordinate (m) – the line joining the middle of the chord with the middle of the curve.
8. Radius (R) – radius of the curve.
9. Angle of intersection (I) – the deflection angle between the tangents.
10. Degree of curve (D)
• Arc basis – In highway practice where the radius are usually short and usually the distances are
considered to be the same as along the arc, the degree of the curve is the angle at the center
subtended by an arc of one full station.
• Chord basis – Where the curve is relatively of long radius, distances along the arc of the curve are
connected to be the same as along the chord. This is the angle subtended by the chord of one full
station. Most railways work uses this degree of curve. In metric system, 1 full chord = 1 full station
= 20m; in English, 1 full chord = 1 full station = 100ft.
11. Sub-chord (C) – chord less than 1 full station.
12. Sub-angle (d) – angle at the center subtended by a sub-chord.
13. Length of curve (Lc) – total distance from the PC to PT.
14. Deflection angle of a point – the angle formed by the chord drawn from a point of tangency to the point.
15. Offset Distance – the perpendicular distance of a point from the tangent.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 3

Formulas:
1. Radius
!"($%"˚) 5. Long chord, LC
Arc basis 𝑅 =
!() .
𝐿𝐶 = 2𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛 !
*"
Chord basis 𝑅 =
+,-!
" 6. Length of curve, Lc
!".
𝐿𝐶 = )
2. Tangent Distance, T
.
𝑇 = 𝑅tan ! (/.
𝐿𝐶 = *0"˚
3. External distance, E
. 7. Sub-angle
𝐸 = 𝑅 (sec ! − 1) 1# ) 1" )
𝑑1 = !" 𝑑2 = !"
4. Middle ordinate, M
. 8. Sta. PC = Sta. V – T
𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 − cos !)
9. Sta. PT = Sta. PC + Lc

Note:
1. In route surveying, azimuth is measured from the south.
2. To obtain c1 think of a station (divisible by 20, greater than sta. PC) wherein if subtracted to sta. PC, its value must
be less than 20; also to obtain c2 think of a station (divisible by 20, less than sta. PT) wherein if you subtract it to sta.
PT, its value must be less than 20.

Sample Problems:
1. Two tangents of a simple curve have azimuths of 248°15’ and 294°30’ are connected by a 4.2° curve. If sta.
V is at 7 + 196.25, compute the other elements of the curve.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 4

2. The deflection angle of two intermediate points A & B of a simple curve are 3°15’and 8°15’ respectively,
from the PC. If the chord distance between A & B is 30m. Find the station of A & B if sta. PC is 4 + 120.
Determine also the length of the curves from A to B.

3. Given the figure, solve for distance OI, PX, and the stationing of X

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 5

2.3.2 Compound Curves
Compound Curve - consists of two (or more) circular curves between two main tangents joined at point of
compound curve (PCC).

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 6

 Elements of a Compound Curve
• PC = point of curvature Additional Formulas:
• PT = point of tangency 1. Length of Common Tangent
• PI = point of intersection T1 + T2
• PCC = point of compound curve 2. Angle of Intersection
• T1 = length of tangent of the first I = I1 + I2
curve
• T2 = length of tangent of the 3. θ = 180° - I
4. TL = T1 + x
second curve
5. TS = T2 + y
• V1 = vertex of the first curve
6. Given the stationing of PC
• V2 = vertex of the second curve
Sta. PT=Sta. PC+Lc1+Lc2
• I1 = central angle of the first curve
7. Given the stationing of PI
• I2 = central angle of the second
Sta. PT=Sta. PI−x−T1+Lc1+Lc2
curve
• Lc1 = length of first curve Notes:
• Lc2 = length of second curve • x and y can be found from triangle
• L1 = length of first chord V1-V2-PI.
• L2 = length of second chord • L can be found from triangle PC-
• L = length of long chord from PC to PCC-PT
PT

Sample Problems:

1. A compound curve has the following elements. I1=30˚, D1 =4˚, I2 = 24˚, and D2 = 5˚. If the stationing of the
vertex is (4+620),
a) Determine the stationing of PC.
b) Find the stationing of PCC.
c) Determine the Stationing of PT.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 7

2. The common tangent and the long chord of a certain compound curve are said to be parallel. If the value of
TS, T and CT are 210m, 80m and 150m respectively, determine the length of the long chord of the whole
1

compound curve.

3. Two circular curves whose radii are 180m and 100m respectively are connected by two tangents to form a
compound curve. The angle of intersection of the two tangents is 78°. If the length of the back tangent
120.79m, determine:
a. The central angles of the two circular curves (I1=32.002°, I2=45.998°)
b. The Long chord of the compound curve. (LC=167.352m)

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 8

2.3.3 Reverse Curves
Reverse Curve – a curve formed by two circular simple curves having a common tangent but lies
on opposite sides.
Note: Reverse Curve has the same elements as Compound Curve but instead of PCC, Reverse Curve has
PRC which refers to Point of Reversed Curve.

Types of Reversed Curves

1. Reversed Curve with Nonparallel 3. Converging Tangents

Tangents

4. Diverging Tangents

2. Reversed Curve with Parallel Tangents

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 9

 5. Intermediate Tangents

Sample Problems:
1. The perpendicular distance between two parallel tangents of the reverse curve is 35m. The azimuth of
the back tangent is 270˚ while the common tangent is 300˚. The first radius of the curve is 160m and
the stationing of PRC is (2+578). Determine the following:
a) Radius of the second curve.
b) Stationing of PC.
c) Stationing of PT.

2. 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. (Hint: BC is the common tangent)

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 10

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

A. Find the radius of the first curve.

B. Find the length of road from A to D. Use arc basi
C. Find the cost of the concrete pavement from A to D

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 11

 2.3.4 Spiral Curves
Spiral Curve or Transmission Curve – a curve of varying radius introduced at the outer edges of the roadway
or truck in order to allow the vehicle or train to pass gradually from tangent to the circular curve.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 12

Elements of Spiral Curve

• TS = Tangent to spiral • Xc = Offset distance (right angle distance) from

• SC = Spiral to curve tangent to SC
• CS = Curve to spiral • Y = Distance along tangent to any point on the
• ST = Spiral to tangent spiral
• LT = Long tangent • Yc = Distance along tangent from TS to point at
• ST = Short tangent right angle to SC
• Rc = Radius of simple curve • Es = External distance of the simple curve
• Ts = Spiral tangent distance • θ = Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the
• Tc = Circular curve tangent spiral
• L = Length of spiral from TS to any point along • θs = Spiral angle from tangent to SC
the spiral • i = Deflection angle from TS to any point on the
• Ls = Length of spiral spiral, it is proportional to the square of its
• PI = Point of intersection distance
• I = Angle of intersection • is = Deflection angle from TS to SC
• Ic = Angle of intersection of the simple curve • D = Degree of spiral curve at any point
• p = Length of throw or the distance from tangent • Dc = Degree of simple curve
that the circular curve has been offset
• X = Offset distance (right angle distance) from
tangent to any point on the spiral
6. Deflection angle at S.C. point.
Formulas: 1
𝑖4 = 𝜃4
3
1. Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the
spiral. 7. Distance along tangent at any point on the
3" *0" Spiral
𝜃= 𝑥
!/$ 3% (
𝐿6
𝑌=𝐿−
40𝑅𝑐 ! 𝐿𝑠 !
2. Spiral angle from tangent to S.C. point.
3 *0"
𝜃4 = !/% 𝑥 ( 8. Distance along tangent at S.C. point.
$
𝐿𝑠 $
𝑌5 = 𝐿4 −
3. Offset distance from tangent to any point on 40𝑅𝑐 !
the spiral.
𝐿$ 9. Tangent Distance for Spiral
𝑋= 𝐿4 𝑋5 𝐼
6𝑅5 𝐿4 𝑇4 = + :𝑅5 + ; 𝑡𝑎𝑛
2 4 2
4. Offset distance from tangent to S.C. point.
10. External distance
𝐿𝑠 ! 𝑋5 𝐼
𝑋5 = 𝐸4 = :𝑅5 + ; 𝑠𝑒𝑐 − 𝑅5
6𝑅5 4 2

5. Deflection angle at any point on the spiral 11. Angle of Intersection of Simple Curve
*
𝑖 = $𝜃 𝐼5 = 𝐼 − 2𝜃4

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 13

 12. Length of throw 15. Desirable length of spiral
𝑋5 𝐿𝑠 ! 0.036𝐾 $
𝑝= = 𝐿4 =
4 24𝑅5 𝑅5
13. Super elevation where K is in kph 16. Deflection angle vary as the squares of the
0.0079𝐾 ! length from the T.S.
𝑒=
𝑅5 𝑖 𝐿!
= !
14. Considering 75% of K to counteract the 𝑖4 𝐿𝑠
super-elevation 17. Degree of the curve varies directly with the
0.004𝐾 ! length from the T.S
𝑒= 𝐷 𝐿
𝑅5 =
𝐷5 𝐿4

Sample Problem:
Two tangents having azimuths of 240˚ and 282˚ are connected by an 80m spiral curve with a 6˚ circular
curve. The width of the roadway is 10m. If the design velocity is 60kph, determine:
a) The external distance of the spiral
b) Super elevation at quarter points
c) Spiral angle at S.C.
d) Length of throw
e) If Sta. V = (5+200), locate sta. T.S., S.C., C.S., and S.T.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 14

2.4 Vertical Highway Curves
A vertical parabolic curve is a parabolic curve tangent to two intersecting tangent. There are two types of
vertical curves, symmetrical and unsymmetrical vertical curves.

A. Symmetrical vertical parabolic curve

A parabolic curve where in the horizontal distances from PC to V and V to PT are equal.
Elements:
1. Point of Curvature (PC)
2. Point of Tangency (PT)
3. Back and Forward Tangents
4. Vertex (PI)
5. g1 and g2 (grades of intersecting tangents) - If the algebraic difference in the order of the grades of the two slopes is
positive, that is (g1 - g2), we have a summit curve. If the algebraic difference in the order of the grades of the two
slopes is negative, that is (g1 - g2), we have a sag curve.
6. Diameter of the vertical parabolic curve – a line drawn from the vertex to the midpoint of the horizontal distance of
the curve from PC to PT.
7. Length of the Parabolic Curve (L) – horizontal distance between PC and PT
8. Offset from tangent to a point on vertical parabolic curve (y) – the vertical distance of the point from the tangent
which is parallel to the diameter.

FORMULAS:
𝑳
1. 𝑯 = 𝟖 (𝒈𝟏 − 𝒈𝟐 )

2. Squared Property of Parabola (SPP)

𝒚𝟏 𝑯 𝒚𝟐 𝑯
𝒙𝟐 = 𝑳 ; 𝟐 = 𝑳
𝒙
> ?² > ?²
𝟐 𝟐

3. Highest / Lowest Point

𝒈𝟏 𝑳 𝒈𝟐 𝑳
𝑺𝟏 = 𝒈 B𝒈 (From PC) 𝑺𝟐 = 𝒈 (From PT)
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐 B𝒈𝟏

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 15

 𝒈𝟐 B𝒈𝟏
4. 𝒏 = where n = no. of stations and r = change in the rate of slope
𝒓

5. Elevations from PC ot PT
𝒈 𝑳 𝒈𝟐 𝑳
𝒂 = 𝟐𝟏 (From PC) 𝒃= (From PT)
𝟐

Sample Problems:
1. A 6.2% grade is followed by -2.8% grade; the grades intersecting at Sta. (10+800) of elevation 1,060m. The
symmetrical parabolic curve is 300m.
a) Locate the highest point on the curve. Determine its station and elevation.
b) Locate the Sta. C on the curve that lies on the left of the summit and is at elevation 1.054m.

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 16

2. A 200m symmetrical parabolic curve has a grade of -4% and +6%. Sta. PI is at (5+600) with elevation of
110.25m. Find the elevation at the top culvert, placed at the lowest point if the backfill depth is 0.6m.

References:
• Highway and Traffic Engineering 4th Edition by Garber & Hoel
• Route Surveying and Design by Carl F. Meyer

HRENG 313 | CHAPTER 2 – HIGHWAY CURVES 17