Parabolic Curve

Vertical Parabolic Curve

Vertical curves are used to provide gradual change between two adjacent vertical grade
lines. The curve used to connect the two adjacent grades is parabola. Parabola offers
smooth transition because its second derivative is constant. For a downward parabola
with vertex at the origin, the standard equation is

Recall from calculus that the first derivative is the slope of the curve.

The value of y' above is linear, thus the grade diagram (slope diagram) for a summit curve is
downward and linear as shown in the figure below. The second derivative is obviously constant

which is interpreted as rate of change of slope. This characteristic made the parabola the
desirable curve because it offers constant rate of change of slope.

Elements of Vertical Curve

 PC = point of curvature, also known as BVC (beginning of vertical curve)
 PT = point of tangency, also known as EVC (end of vertical curve)
 PI = point of intersection of the tangents, also called PVI (point of vertical intersection)
 L = length of parabolic curve, it is the projection of the curve onto a horizontal surface which
corresponds to the plan distance.
 S1 = horizontal distance from PC to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
 S2 = horizontal distance from PT to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
 h1 = vertical distance between PC and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
 h2 = vertical distance between PT and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
 g1 = grade (in percent) of back tangent (tangent through PC)
 g2 = grade (in percent) of forward tangent (tangent through PT)
 A = change in grade from PC to PT
 a = vertical distance between PC and PI
 b = vertical distance between PT and PI
 H = vertical distance between PI and the curve

Symmetrical Parabolic Curve

In this section, symmetrical parabolic curve does not necessarily mean the curve is
symmetrical at L/2, it simply means that the curve is made up of single vertical
parabolic curve. Using two or more parabolic curves placed adjacent to each other is
called unsymmetrical parabolic curve. The figure shown below is a vertical summit
curve. Note that the same elements holds true for vertical sag curve.

Properties of Parabolic Curve and its Grade Diagram

1. The length of parabolic curve L is the horizontal distance between PI and PT.
2. PI is midway between PC and PT.
3. The curve is midway between PI and the midpoint of the chord from PC to PT.
4. The vertical distance between any two points on the curve is equal to area under the
grade diagram. The vertical distance c = Area.
5. The grade of the curve at a specific point is equal to the offset distance in the grade
diagram under that point. The grade at point Q is equal to gQ.
Formulas for Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
The figure shown above illustrates the following geometric properties of parabolic curve.
Note that the principles and formulas can be applied to both summit and sag curves.

rise = run × slope

Problem 01 - Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
 Problem
A grade of -4.2% grade intersects a grade of +3.0% at Station 11 + 488.00 of elevations
20.80 meters. These two center gradelines are to be connected by a 260 meter vertical
parabolic curve.
1. At what station is the cross-drainage pipes be situated?
A. Sta 11 + 493.42 km
B. Sta 11 + 509.67 km
C. Sta 11 + 515.14 km
D. Sta 10 + 600.00 km

2. If the overall outside dimensions of the reinforced concrete pipe to be installed is 95

cm, and the top of the culvert is 30 cm below the subgrade, what will be the invert
elevation at the center?
A. 25.76 m
B. 22.15 m
C. 27.32 m
D. 21.83 m

Solution
Problem 02 - Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
Problem
A descending grade of 6% and an ascending grade of 2% intersect at Sta 12 + 200 km
whose elevation is at 14.375 m. The two grades are to be connected by a parabolic curve,
160 m long. Find the elevation of the first quarter point on the curve.
A. 16.082 m
B. 15.575 m
C. 17.175 m
D. 13.936 m

Solution
Problem 03 - Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
Problem
A grade line AB having a slope of +5% intersect another grade line BC having a slope of
–3% at B. The elevations of points A, B and C are 95 m, 100 m and 97 m respectively.
Determine the elevation of the summit of the 100 m parabolic vertical curve to connect
the grade lines.
A. 98.32 m
B. 99.06 m
C. 97.32 m
D. 96.86 m

Solution
Problem 04 - Symmetrical Parabolic Curve
Problem
A highway engineer must stake a symmetrical vertical curve where an entering grade of
+0.80% meets an existing grade of -0.40% at station 10 + 100 which has an elevation of
140.36 m. If the maximum allowable change in grade per 20 m station is -0.20%, what
is the length of the vertical curve?
A. 150 m
B. 130 m
C. 120 m
D. 140 m

Solution

Length of Parabolic Sag Curve with Given Change in

Grade Per Station
Problem
A grade of -5% is followed by a grade of 1%, the grades intersecting at the vertex (Sta. 10
+ 060). The change of grade is restricted to 0.4% in 20 m. Compute the length of the
vertical parabolic sag curve in meters.
A. 360 m C. 300 m
B. 320 m D. 340 m

Compound Curves: Finding the Stationing of PCC with

Given Stationing of PC
Subject:
Mathematics, Surveying and Transportation Engineering

Problems
A compound curve has the following characteristics:
I1 = 24° D1 = 6°

I2 = 36° D2 = 4°

Stationing of P.C. = km 10 + 420

Compute the stationing of P.C.C.

A. km 10 + 560 C. km 10 + 520

B. km 10 + 540 D. km 10 + 500
Surveying and Transportation Engineering
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