CVEN 2300: Surveying

LAB #7: Staking out points on a Horizontal curve

 Objectives:
To become familiar with the theory, design, and layout of horizontal curves.
 Equipment:
Total station, marking flags, compass, flags, and tape.
 Curve parameters calculation:
Given: the stationing of PC is 0+00, I = 12o51’, R = 500 ft.
Task: Stake the curve at 20 ft increments.
 Instructions:
1. Calculate the length of the arc, tangent length, incremental chords, deflection
increments, and deflection angles from the PC to PT in a table, with 20 ft increments.
(Check your final deflection angle and see if it equals half of the central angle.)
2. Place a flag on of your choice. Assume the PC, PI line is located due north. Use your
compass to determine of the line of PI. Use the tape to measure the tangent length. Set
the instrument on the PC and guide the tape person to locate PI. Place a flag on PI.
3. Set the horizontal angle of PC and PI line to be 0o.
4. Turn your total station to the right based on the deflection angle of the first point. Use
the tape to obtain the chord distance. Fix one end on the previous station and move the
other end. Direct the tape person to a point which intersects the sight line of the
instrument. Fine tune the location to get the correct chord distance. Place a marking
flag on the first point on the curve.

5. Stake out other points in sequence until reaching PT.

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 6. Measure the tangent length between PI and PT using your total station. Compare the
measured value with the theoretical value and calculate the percentage of error.
7. Document your results and procedure in your field book.
 Calculation (use more rows as needed)

I
R
L
k

Document stations from PT to PC. For distance, keep two decimal points.
Station Incremental chord Chord distance Incremental Deflection
distance deflection angle angle

Length of the curve (theoretical) =

Tangent length between PI and PT (theoretical) =

Tangent length between PI and PT (measure) =

Percentage of error of tangent length (|Difference |/ theoretical × 100%) =

2
 APPENDIX:

To adjust the units. Go to Settings  Regional  Page 2  Angle unit: DMS.

Theoretical results (ft)

I 12.85
R 500.00
L 112.14
k 0.057

Length of arc
112.14

Tangent
length
56.30