LSV – Road Alignment and

Setting out

T111
Thursday,
29/07/2021
08:30 – 11:30 AM

TVET NATIONAL EXAMINATION, RTQF LEVEL 5, 2020-2021

OPTION/TRADE: LAND SURVEYING

SUBJECT: Road Alignment and Setting out

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2020 - 2021

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

QUESTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
S
Marks

QUESTION 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total
S
Marks

QUESTION 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Total
S
1
Marks

Section I: Attempt all the Twelve (12) questions (60

marks)

01. In constructing and pegging a new road, there are several possible choices of
alignments. Summarize at least five (5) essential alignments that can a Surveyor
respect in using pegging method. (5
marks)
Answer:

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02. A new road should be aligned very carefully as improper alignment should result
into different disadvantages. State at least four (4) of them. (5
marks)
Answer:
 Increase in rate of accident [1.025]
 Increase in construction and maintenance cost [1.025]
 Increase in the vehicle operating cost and also to the discomfort of the uses [1.025]
 Decrease in durability and strength of the road[1.025]

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03. Differentiate curve from alignment as used in road setting out. (5
marks)
Answer:

 Road curve: is an arc which connects two (2) straight lines which are separated
by
some angle called deflection angle. [2.5]
 Alignment: is the precise route or course taken by a linear way (road, railway,
footpath, etc..) between the two (2) points. [2.5]
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04. Generally, traffic is classified differently according to the considered design
standards and sometimes is classified according to the types of vehicles
encountered on the road. In order to assess benefits in an economic appraisal
(from actual to future users), it is necessary to separate traffic into the three (3)
main categories. Enumerate them. (5
marks)
Answer:
The three (3) main traffic categories are the following:
 Normal traffic; [2]
 Diverted traffic; [1.5]
 Generated traffic. [1.5]
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05. List any four (4) obstructions in pegging during the new road construction.
(5
marks)
Answer:
The obstructions in pegging during the new road construction are:
 Waterway; [1.5]
 Forest; [1.5]
 Buildings; [1]
 Rock. [1]
 Etc…
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06. The pavement is the portion of the road, excluding the shoulders, placed above
the
sub-grade to support and form a running surface for vehicles. It is made up of
the
three (3) layers namely: sub-base, the base course and the surface or wearing
course. Redraw the figure below and complete appropriately the indicated road
layers. (5
marks)

Answer:
The layers of road are named as follows: [5] → 2 marks for one and 1.5
marks
for each in the 2 remained layers

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07. Give an expression for finding length of transition curve on horizontal curve by
giving the meaning of each letter of that formula. (5
marks)
Answer:

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08. Find the total width of a pavement on horizontal on a horizontal curve for a new
national highway to be aligned along a rolling terrain with a ruling minimum
radius.
Assume the following data:
– National highway on rolling terrain, ruling design, speed (V) = 80kmph
– Normal pavement width (w)= 7.0 m
– Number of lanes (n)= 2
– Wheel base of the trick (e)= 0.07 and skid resistance (f)= = 0.15 (5
marks)
Answer:

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09. State five (5) factors to be considered while designing length of transition curve.
(5
marks)
Answer:
 Rate to change of centrifugal acceleration [1]
 Design speed [1]
 Radius of circular curve [1]
 Rate of introduction of designed super elevation [1]
 Based on IRC empirical formular [1]

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--------------10. The vertical alignment of the road has a strong influence upon:
construction
cost, the operation cost and on the number of accidents. List any two (2)
elements
of vertical alignment. (5
marks)
Answer:
The two (2) major elements of vertical alignment are: [5]
 The gradient which is related to the vehicle performance and level of service,
[2.5]
 The vertical curve which is governed by sight distance and comfort criteria.
[2.5]
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11. A contour plan or map is very much useful in locating the route of highway or
any
other communication line. Differentiate the terms "contour line" from "contour
map"? (5
marks)
Answer:
►The difference between contour interval and contour map [5]
 A contour line is an imaginary line on the map joining the points of equal
elevation (altitude). [2.5]
 A map showing only the contour lines of an area is called contour map. [2.5]
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12. The camber is one of the elements that compose the cross- section of the road.
As a
Land Surveyor,
(a) Explain briefly what is camber in cross- section of the road? (1
mark)
(b) Enumerate at least four (4) functions of camber you know. (4
marks)

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 Answer:
a) Camber is slope provided to the road surface at the transverse direction to
drain off the rain water out of the surface.
b) Function of camber:
– To protect the road by preventing the entry of surface water to the sub
grade soil through the pavement
– To prevent entry of water to the bituminous pavement layer
– To remove the rain water from the pavement
– Provide quick drainage of rain water and save the foundation course

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Section I: Attempt any Four (4) questions out of Six (6) (40
marks)
13. Horizontal Curve; Circular Curve; Simple curve; Compound Curve; Reverse
Curve;
Transition Curve; Cubic parabola; Spiral Curve; Lemniscate; Vertical Curve;
Summit Curve and Valley Curve are the types of curve. Starting from the main
types to their branches, make the order clearly. (10
marks)

Answer:
The types of road curves are classified as follows: [10]

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14. The figure below illustrates a road curve set out and the following data are
considered: Deflection angle Δ=16038' ; Radius of curvature R= 1,000ft;
Point of intersection PI is at 6+26.57; and the peg interval is 100ft.

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 Calculate:
(i) Tangent length (T); (ii) Length of the curve (ℓ); (iii) Station at BC and EC;
(iv) Long chord (L); (v) Mid-ordinate (M); (vi) External distance (E). (10
marks)

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 Answer:
 Deflection angle ∆= 16038'
 A half deflection angle = 8019'

 Tangent length (T) = R tan [0.5]

= 1000 x tan 8019'[0.5]

= 146.18 ft [0.5] → Chainage= 1+46.18 [0.5]
 Length of curve (ℓ) = 2R∆/3600 [0.5]
= 2 x 1000 x 16.6333/3600 [0.5]
= 290.31 ft [0.5] → Chainage= 2+90.31[0.5]
 The station at BC = Station at PI - Tangent (T) [1]
= 6+26.57- 1+46.18 [0.25]
= 4+80.39 [0.25]
 The station at EC = Station at BC+ Length of curve (ℓ) [1]
= 4+80.39 + 2+90.31[0.25]
= 7+70.70 [0.25]
 Long chord (L) = 2Rsin [0.5]

= 2 x 1000x sin (8019') [0.25]

= 289.29 ft [0.25]
 The mid-ordinate (M) = R(1-cos ) [0.5]

= 1000 [1-cos (8019')] [0.25]

= 10.52 ft [0.25]
 The external distance (E) = R(sec -1) [0.5]

= 1000 [sec (8019')-1] [0.25]

= 10.63 ft [0.25]
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15. Road is one of the major factors which connect town and centres. Write any ten
(10) importance of roads. (10
marks)
Answer:
►The importance or necessity of highway transportation can be easily
judged
from the following purposes or advantages of roads: [10]
 They facilitate conveyance of people, goods, raw-materials, manufactured
articles, etc. speedily and easily in the different parts of a country. [1]
 They act as the only source of communication in regions of high altitude,
i.e. in mountainous regions. [1]
 They help in growth of trade and other economy activities in and outside the
villages and towns by establishing contact between towns and villages. [1]

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  They help in providing efficient distribution of agricultural products and
natural resources all over the country. [1]
 They help in price stabilization of commodities due to mobility of products all
over the country. [1]
 They help in social and cultural advancement of people and making the
villagers active and alert members of the community. [1]
 They help in promoting the cultural and social ties among people living in
different part of a country and thus strengthen the national unity. [1]
 They help in providing improved medical facilities quickly to human beings,
especially to those who live in rural areas. [1]
 They provide more employment opportunities. [1]
 They enhance land value and thus bring better revenue. [1]
 They serve as feeders for Airways, Waterways and Railways. [1]
 They help in reducing distress among the people, caused due to famine, by
supplying them food and clothing quickly. [1]
 They help in maintaining better law and order in a country. [1]
 They play a very important role in the defense of a country during war days.
[1]
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16. A circular simple horizontal curve has 200 m radius and deflection angle of 65 0.
Calculate:
(a) The Length of the curve (L)
(b) The Tangent length (T)
(c) The length of long chord (d)
(d) Mid-ordinate (f) (10
marks)
Answer:
 Deflection angle ∆= 650

 A half deflection angle = 32.50

 Radius (R)= 200 m

(a) Length of curve (L) = 2R∆/3600 [1]
= 2 x 200 x 650/3600 [0.5]
= ………… m [0.5]

(b) Tangent length (T) = R tan [1]

= 200 x tan 32.50 [0.5]

= ……………. m [0.5]

(c) Length of Long chord (d) = 2Rsin [1]

= 2 x 200x sin (32.50) [0.5]

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 = …………… m [0.5]

(d) The mid-ordinate (M) = R(1-cos ) [1]

= 200 [1-cos (32.50)] [0.5]

= ……………… m [0.5]
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17. The figure below is representing setting out of road simple circular curve.
Observe
it attentively and choose the correct answer carefully.

PCPI=PIPT are the tangents length (T); PCCPT is length of curve

(ℓ); PI is Point of Inflection; ∆ is deflection angle of 60 0 and R is
the curve radius of 570m.

(a) Tangent length (PCPI=PIPT) is: (i) 329.809m; (ii) 329.098m; (iii) 329.089m 2
marks
(b) Length of curve (PCCPT) is: (i) 596.06m; (ii) 596.96m; (iii) 596.60m 2
marks
(c) Long chord(PCPT) of the curve is: (i)750m; (ii)507m; (iii)570m 2
marks
(d) External distance (PIC) is: (i) 88.197m; (ii) 88.971m; (iii) 88.179m 2
marks
(e) Mid-ordinate (M) of the curve is: (i) 76.356m; (ii) 76.563m; (iii) 76.365m 2
marks
NB. Please! Show all your possible ways (reasons) of how you get the answers.
Answer:
(A) The tangent length (PCPI=PIPT) is: (i) 329.809m (ii) 329.098m (iii)
329.089m
(B)The length of curve(PCCPT) is: (i) 596.06m (ii) 596.96m (iii) 596.60m
(C)The long chord(PCPT) of the curve is: (i)750m (ii)507m (iii)570m
(D) The external distance (PIC) is: (i)88.197m (ii) 88.971m (iii) 88.179m
(E) The mid-ordinate (M) of the curve is: (i) 76.356m (ii) 76.563m (iii) 76.365m
The reasons of how the answers are obtained:
 Deflection angle ∆= 600
 A half deflection angle = 300

(a) Tangent length (T) = R tan [1]

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 = 570 x tan 300 [0.5]
= 329.089m [0.5]
(b) Length of curve (ℓ) = 2R∆/3600 [1]
= 2 x 570 x 600/3600 [0.5]
= 596.60m [0.5]
(c) Long chord (L) = 2Rsin [1]

= 2 x 570x sin (300) [0.5]

= 570m [0.5]
(d) The external distance (E) = R(sec -1) [1]

= 570 [sec (300)-1] [0.5]

= 88.179m [0.5]
(e) The mid-ordinate (M) = R(1-cos ) [1]

= 570 [1-cos (300)] [0.5]

= 76.365m [0.5]
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18. The road Ruyenzi- Gihara in KAMONYI District is under construction. There are
some materials; tools and surveying instruments such as Reference pegs; Tape
measures; Profile Boards and Ranging Rods; Traveller; Optical Square; Tube
Water
Level; Abney Level; Dumpy level; Theodolite and Total station are used in road
construction. Indicate the role of each element. (10
marks)
Answer:
 Reference pegs: are used to mark the alignment and road levels. [1]
 Tape measures: are used to measure small distances between the
points.
[1
]
 Profile Boards and Ranging Rods: are useful for setting out
levels. Also, the ranging rods are used for setting out straight lines and
curves. [1]
 Traveller: A travelling profile is used to obtain levels between two profile
boards. A boning rod or a profile can be used as a traveller. [1]
 Optical Square: is a small instrument using either mirrors or a prism to
establish a right angle. [1]
 Tube Water Level: it is a very accurate and simple instrument for
measuring the level differences of two points. [1]
 Abney Level: can be used for the measurement of vertical angles for
setting out levels. [1]
 Dumpy level and staff reading: is a surveying instrument used
in leveling works including determination of elevations of points; difference in
levels (heights); etc…[1]
 Theodolite: Surveying instrument used to measure accurately horizontal
and vertical angles; to determine horizontal and vertical distances; to
establish straight or curved lines; to determine difference in levels; etc [1]
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  Total station: is an electronic/optical instrument used in
modern surveying and building construction. It is used in the following
surveying activities:
Detail survey i.e., data collection.
Control Survey (Traverse).
Height measurement (Remove elevation measurement- REM).
Fixing of missing pillars (or) Setting out (or) Stake out.
Resection.
Area calculations, etc.
Remote distance measurement (RDM) [1]
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