CURVE RANGING
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Curves
Curves are regular bends provided in the lines of communication like roads, railways and canals etc
to bring about gradual change of direction
A curve iis a circular arc required to connect two straight lengths and these must be tangential to
the curve in order that there shall be no abrupt break at the junctions
The situation occurs when the alignment of the road way changes its direction because of
unavoidable circumstances
Curves are generally used on highways and railways where it is necessary to change the direction of
motion
They enable the vehicle to pass from one path on to another when the two paths meet at an angle
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Need for Providing Curves
Curves are needed on Highways, railways and canals for bringing about gradual change of
direction of motion
They are provided for the following reasons:
To bring about gradual change in direction of motion
To bring about gradual change in grade and for good visibility.
To alert the driver so that he may not fall asleep
To layout canal alignment
To control erosion of canal banks by the thrust of flowing water in a canal
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Types of Curves
1. Horizontal curves
Curves provided in the horizontal plane to have the gradual
change in direction
The usages of this curve are such as roads, railways, pipe lines
May be set out in several ways, depending on their length and
radius.
2. Vertical curves
Curves provided in the vertical plane to obtain the gradual
change in the grade
Curves are laid out on the ground along the centre line of the
work.
Vertical curves are used in highway and street vertical
alignment to provide a grade change between two adjacent
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grade lines.
Horizontal Curves
Horizontal curves are used to ensure that vehicles travel safely from one straight section of road or
track to another.
Two types of horizontal curves
1. Circular curves – curves of constant radius
2. Transitional curves – curves of varying radius
A road or railway will usually comprise of a series of straights, circular curves and transition curves,
collectively known as the horizontal alignment.
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Geometry of Circular Curves
Three types of circular curves
1. simple curves,
2. compound curves and
3. Reverse curves,
All these can be referred to either as radius curves or degree curves.
In terms of its radius, for example, a 750 m curve. This is known as a radius curve.
In terms of the angle subtended at its centre by a 100 marc, for example a 2° curve. This
is known as a degree curve
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Geometry of Circular Curves
Below, the arc VW=100m and it subtends an angle of D at the centre of
curvature O. TU is therefore a D⁰ curve.
The relationship between radius curves and degree curves is given by the
formula
DR =, in which D is in degrees and R in meters.
A curve of radius 1500 m is equivalent to D =
D = = = 3.820⁰
That is, a 1500 m radius curve = 3.820° degree curve.
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Simple curves
Consists of a single arc of constant radius R connecting two straights
This is the most commonly used type of circular curve
The radius of the circle determines the “sharpness” or “flatness” of the curve. The
larger the radius, the “flatter” the curve
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Compound curves
Consists of two or more consecutive simple circular curves of different radii without
any intervening straight section.
The centers of the curves lie on the same side of the common tangent
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Reverse Curves
consist of two consecutive simple circular curves of the same or different radii bending in
opposite directions
Their centres of curvature falling on opposite sides of their common tangent point.
They are much more common than compound circular curves and, like them, can be used
to avoid obstacles.
Commonly used in railway sidings and sometimes on railway tracks and roads meant for
low speeds
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Terms used in Circular Curve
I is the intersection point of the two straights TI and IU
TPU is a circular curve which runs around the arc from T to U
The length of the circular curve around the arc TPU = L
T and U are the tangent points to the circular curve
TI and UI are the tangent lengths of the circular curve 11
Terms used in Circular Curve
P is the mid-point of the circular curve TPU
Long chord = TSU
S is the mid-point of the long chord TSU
Deflection angle = ϴ = external angle at I = angle CIU
Intersection angle = (180° – ϴ) = internal angle at I =TIU
Radius of curvature of the circular curve = R
Centre of curvature of the circular curve = O
Q is any point on the circular curve TPU
Tangential angle = for example, angle ITQ = the angle from
the tangent length at T (or U) to any point on the circular
curve
The mid-ordinate of the circular curve = PS
Radius angle = angle TOU = = deflection angle CIU= ϴϴ
External distance = PI 12
Formula used in Circular curves
The following formulae can be derived for use in the
design and setting out procedures:
Tangent lengths IT and IU: in triangle IUO
Triangles IOT, IOU, are congruent and so IT = IU, i.e. the
tangent lengths are equal
= = , Hence IU = IT =
Thus, if the location of the intersection point I be
known, then by measuring a distance back along the
straight from I, the tangent point T can be located.
Similarly, measuring the same distance along the other
straight will locate the second tangent point U
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Formula used in Circular curves
External Distance, PI: in triangle IUO
= OR
IO = = R , But PI = OI –OP = OI –R , 0P=R
Hence PI = R - R = R
Mid-ordinate, PS: in Triangle TSO
OS = OT
But PS=OP-OS = R - R
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Formula used in Circular curves
Long Chord, TU:
From triangle USO
= = BUT US = R
and TU = US + TS and US = TS
Hence, TU = 2 R
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Formula used in Circular curves
The length of the circular curve, LC, can be obtained from one
of two formulae, depending on whether the curve is a radius
curve or a degree curve:
For a curve of radius R:
LC= R metres, where R is the radius in metres and is the
angle subtended at the centre in radians. hence
LC R
For a D° degree curve:
Lc = 100 metres
where and D are in the same units, either degrees or
radians.
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Formula used in Circular curves
Knowing the chainage of I
Then chainage of T = chainage of I – IT
And Chainage of U =chainage of T + R
Note: The chainage of U is not the chainage of I + IU
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Important relationships for Circular Curves for
Setting Out
The triangle ITU is an isosceles triangle and therefore the angle ITU = IUT = (θ/2).
The following definition can be given:
The tangential angle α at T to any point X on the curve TU is equal to half the angle subtended at
the centre of curvature O by the chord from T to that point.
Important relationships for Circular Curves for
Setting Out
Similarly with reference to the figure below the following definition
applies of a second tangent point:
The tangential angle β at any point X on the curve to any forward
point Y on the curve is equal to half the angle subtended at the
centre by the chord between the two points
The tangential angle to any point on the curve is equal to the
sum of the tangential angles from each chord up to that point.
I.e. TOY = 2(α + β) and it follows that ITY = (α + β) which is half TOY
Chainage
Chainage is simply the longitudinal distance (usually in m) along a centreline from a
start or zero point. It is a measuring scheme used in roads, rail, pipelines, tunnels,
canals etc.
Setting Out Horizontal Curves on Site
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Importance of centerline
The centerline provides a reference line from which other feature such as
channels, verges, tops and bottoms of embankments etc can be located from.
Thus it is important that:
The centreline is set out and marked (pegged) with a high degree of accuracy
The pegs are protected and marked in such a way that site traffic can clearly see them and
avoid accidentally hitting them.
If a peg is disturbed it can easily be relocated with the same high degree of accuracy as before.
Methods of setting out the Centerline
There are two type of methods for setting out
1. Traditional (Distances and angular) method
Involves working along the centreline itself using the straights, intersection points and tangent points
for reference.
The equipment used for these methods include, tapes and theodolites or total stations.
2. Coordinate methods (control points & coordinates)
Uses control networks as reference.
These networks take the form of control points located on site some distance away from the centerline.
For this method, theodolites, totals stations or GPS receivers can be used.
Traditional Methods
There are 3 methods by which pegs on the centreline of circular curves can be set out:
1. Tangential angle method
2. Offsets from the tangent lengths
3. Offsets from the long chord
In setting out using traditional methods, it is first necessary to locate the intersection and tangent
points of a curve.
Setting out when intersection point I is accessible
Locate the two straights AC and BD and define them with at least two pegs on the ground for each straight.
Use nails in the tops of the pegs to define them precisely.
Set up a theodolite over the nail in a peg on one of the straights (say AC) and sight the nail in another peg on
AC so that the theodolite is pointing in the direction of intersection point I
Drive two additional pegs x and y on AC such that straight BD will intersect the line xy. Again use nails in x and y
for precision
Join the nails in the tops of pegs x and y using a string line.
Move the theodolite and set it up over a peg on BD, then sight the other peg on BD so that the telescope is
again pointing at I.
Fix the position of I by driving a peg where the line of sight from the theodolite on BD intersects the string line
xy.
Move the theodolite to I and measure the angle AIB. Calculate the deflection angle θ, from θ = 180o – angle
AIB.
Calculate the tangent lengths IT and IU using [R tan (θ/2)]. Fix points T and U by measuring back along the
straights from I. – The theodolite views the points online
Check the setting out angle ITU which should equal to (θ/2)
Setting out when intersection point I is not accessible
In some cases it may not be possible to locate a theodolite on point I due to inaccessibility of some kind.
In this case the location of I and the tangent points can be carried out using two theodolites.
The procedure in this case is as follows:
Choose two points A and B somewhere on the straights such that it is possible to sight A to B and B to A and
also to measure AB. Measure AB
Measure the angles α and β, calculate λ from λ = 180 – (α + β) and obtain θ from θ = (α + β).
Use the sine rule to calculate IA and IB using sine rule (sin A/a = SinB/b = SinC/c)
Calculate the tangent lengths IT and IU using [R tan (θ/2)].
Using AT = IA – IT and BU = IB – IU set out T from A and U from B. In this case, T & U are setout without using
the physical location of I.
If possible check that ITU is equal to (θ/2)
Setting out points on the curve using tangential angles
Most accurate of the traditional methods
It can be done using a theodolite and tape, two
theodolites or a total station and pole reflector.
The formula used to determine the tangential angles is
derived as follows:
From the figure given, tangential angles are required.
The assumption is made that arc TK = chord TK if the
chord
The length of the chord TK is given by
Chord TK = R2in radians
Setting out points on the curve using tangential angles
Converting radians to degrees and rearranging gives
= degrees
Similarly
= degrees
and
= degrees
In general
= degrees
Tangential angles method using a theodolite and a tape
In this method a theodolite is set up at the tangent point and used to turn the tangential angles to
define the directions to each centre line peg.
The exact positions of these pegs are fixed by measuring with a tape from peg to peg in sequence.
Setting out Procedure:
Using the methods described previously, the tangent points are fixed and the theodolite is set up
at one of them.
The intersection point I is sighted and the horizontal circle is set to read zero.
The theodolite is rotated so that the tangential angle α1 for the first chord TK is set on the horizontal
circle.
Tangential angles method using a theodolite and a tape
The first chord TK is then set out by lining in the tape with the theodolite along this direction and
marking off the length of the chord from the tangent point.
The chord lengths derived in the calculations are in the horizontal plane and therefore any slope on
the ground must be accounted for.
Once the first position is located it is marked with a peg and nail to define the exact location of K.
Tangential angles method using a theodolite and a tape
The telescope is then turned until the horizontal circle is set to equal α1+α2 in the direction TL. With
the end of the tape hooked over the nail in peg K, the length of the second chord KL is ‘swung’ to
intersect TL. The point L is then pegged as before accounting for slope corrections if required.
This procedure is repeated for all other points on the curve until point U is reached. Then the
theodolite is moved to point U and the tangential angle IUT is measured, which should equal θ/2.
Example:
It is required to connect two intersecting straights whose deflection angle is 13°16’00” by a circular
curve of radius 600m. The through chainage of the intersection point is 2745.72m and pegs are
required on the centerline of the curve at exact multiples of 25m of through chainage. Tabulate the
data necessary to set out the curve by the tangential angles method using a theodolite and tape.
Calculation procedure
Determine the total length of the curve.
Pegs are placed on the centre line at exact multiples of through chainage. For example, if pegs are
required at exact 25 m multiples then they would be placed at 0 m, 25 m, 50 m, 75 m and so on
along the centre line.
Once the exact multiple has been specified, a general chord should be chosen which has a horizontal
length equal to this value. For example, if pegs are required at 25 m multiples of through chainage,
then the horizontal length of the general chord would also be 25 m providing (𝑅⁄20)≤ 25 m so that
the assumptions made in the derivation of the tangential angles formula still apply.
If R/20 25m then a shorter value must be chosen for the horizontal length of the general chord.
Calculation procedure
In order to ensure that pegs are placed at exact chainage multiples, it is usually necessary to have an
initial sub-chord to get from the entry tangent point to the first peg on the curve and a final sub-
chord to get from the last peg on the curve to the exit tangent point.
A series of tangential angles is obtained from equation (12.8) to give a and so on, corresponding to
chords TK, KL, LM and so on in Figure 12.12.
In practice, = = and so on, since all chords except the first and the last will be equal.
Therefore, only three tangential angles need to be calculated – one for the initial sub-chord, one for
the general chord and one for the final sub-chord.
Example
It is required to connect two intersecting straights whose deflection angle is 13°16’00” by a circular
curve of radius 600m. The through chainage of the intersection point is 2745.72m and pegs are
required on the centerline of the curve at exact multiples of 25m of through chainage. Tabulate the
data necessary to set out the curve by the tangential angles method using a theodolite and tape.
Tangent Length = IT =
Solution
= 600 tan = 69.78 m
Through chainage of T = Chainage of I – IT = 2745.72 – 69.78 = 2675.94m
To fix the first point on the curve at 2700m (the next multiple of 25m) the initial sub chord is:
Initial sub-chord = 2700 – 2675.94 = 24.06m
Length of the curve, LC R
= 600 * *
= 138.93m
Through chainage of U = Chainage of T + LC = 2675.94 + 138.93 = 2814.87m
Solution
Hence a final sub-chord is also required since 25m chords can on be used up to 2800m
Length of final sub-chord = 2814.87 – 2800 = 14.87m
Hence the 3 chords necessary are:
Initial sub-chord = 24.06m
4 General chords = 25.00m
Final sub-chord = 14.87m
From the formula of tangent angle = , the tangential angles are
for initial sub-chord = = 01°08'56"
General chord = = 01°11’37"
Final sub- chord= = 00°42'36"
Solution
Independent Checks
The last cumulative angle should be equal to where is the deflection angle
The sum of chord length should be equal to the length of the curve
Solution
Point Chainage Chord Individual Tangential angle Cumulative Tangential angle
(m) Length (m)
° ’ " ° ’ "
T 2675.94 00 00 00 00 00 00
C1 2700.00 24.06 01 08 56 01 08 56
C2 2725.00 25.00 01 11 37 02 20 33
C3 2750.00 25.00 01 11 37 03 32 10
C4 2775.00 25.00 01 11 37 04 43 47
C5 2800.00 25.00 01 11 37 05 55 24
U 2814.87 14.87 00 42 36 06 38 00
= 06°38’00"
Tangential Angles Method using a Total Station and Pole Mounted
Reflector
In this method, a total station is set up at the tangent point and used to turn the
tangential angles as for the theodolite and tape method.
However instead of measuring the chord lengths from peg to peg using the tape,
the distance measurement component of the Total Station is used to measure
the length to each peg directly from the tangent point.
Tangential Angles Method using a Total Station and Pole Mounted
Reflector
The line TC1 = 2R
The line TC2 = 2R
The line TC3 = 2R and so on
Example:
Using the same information from the previous example Tabulate the necessary data to set out the
curve using a total station and reflector.
Solution
The tangential angles, sub-chords lengths and chord lengths are calculated exactly as for the previous
example.
The Long chords are obtained as follows:
The line TC1 = 2*600*R = 24.06m
The line TC2 = 2*600* = 49.05 m
The line TC3 = 2*600* = 74.01 m
Solution
Point Cumulative Tangential angle to be Long chord (m) to be set out
turned from T relative to the line from T
TI
° ’ " (m)
T 00 00 00 0
C1 01 08 56 24.06
C2 02 20 33 49.05
C3 03 32 10 74.01
C4 04 43 47 98.95
C5 05 55 24 123.84
U 06 38 00 138.62
= 06°38’00"
