1. Arc Basis
a) Metric System
20/D = 2πR/360⁰
D = 1145.916⁰/R
b) English System
100/D = 2𝜋R/360
D = 5(1145.916⁰)/R
2. Chord Basis
a) Metric System
Sin D/2 = 10/R
R = 10 / Sin D/2
b) English System
Sin D/2 = 50/R
R = 50 / Sin D/2
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Elements of Simple Curve
Lc = 20 I/D
6. Lc/I = 100/D
Lc = 100 I/D
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year__________________________Date Submitted__________
The deflection angles of two intermediate points A and B of a highway curve are
4⁰15’ and 9⁰15’ respectively. The chord distance between points A and B is
20.00 m. while the long chord is 120.00 m. Stationing of P.I. is 80 + 060. Find
the stationing of P.C. and P.T.
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WORKSHEET 2 – SIMPLE CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year____________________________Date Submitted__________
The bearing of the back tangent of a simple curve is N70°00’E while the
forward tangent has a bearing of S82°30’E. the degree of curve is 4.5°.
Stationing of PC is at 10+345.43. It is proposed to decrease the central angle by
changing the direction of the forward tangent by an angle of 7°00’, in such a
way that the position of the PT of the forward tangent and the direction of the
back tangent shall remain the unchanged. Determine:
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WORKSHEET 3 – SIMPLE CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year__________________________ Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 4 – SIMPLE CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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LESSON 2 – COMPOUND CURVE
Compound Curve consists of two or more consecutive simple curves
having different radius, but whose centers lie on the same side of the curve. In
a compound curve, the point of the common tangent where the two curves join
is called the point of compound curvature (PCC). Shown in Figure 2 are the
elements of a Compound Curve.
The long chord of a compound curve is 425.00 meters long and the
angles that it makes with tangents of the curve were 20⁰ and 24⁰ respectively.
Find the radius R1 and R2 of the compound curve if the common tangent is
parallel to the long chord.
C1 = 235.88 m.
C2 = 197.01 m.
R1 = 679.15 m.
R2 = 473.78 m.
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WORKSHEET 5 – COMPOUND CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 6 – COMPOUND CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 7 – COMPOUND CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 8 – COMPOUND CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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LESSON 3 – REVERSED CURVE
This kind of curve is formed by two circular simple curve with common
tangents but lies on opposite side. Reversed curve is useful in laying out
pipelines, flumes, levees, and low speed roads and railroads. In canals, it is
used with tremendous cautions since it makes the canal difficult to navigate
and contribute to erosion.
D1 an D2 = degee of curve
I2 – I1 = θ
The method of latying out simple curve is applied. At the point where the
curve reversed in its direction is called the Point of Reversed Curvature (PRC).
After this point has been laid out from the P.C. the instrument is then
trnasferred to this point. With transit at P.R.C. and a reading equal to the total
deflection angle from the P.C. to the P.R.C. , the P.C. is backsighted. If the line
of sight is rotated about the vertical axis untl the horizontal reading become
zero, this line of sight falls on the common tangent. The next simple curve
could be laid out on the opposite side of the tangent by deflection angle
method.
Example:
From the figure shown, the two diverging tangents were connected
by a reversed curve with both arcs having a 5˚ curve. Determine the
Station of P.I. if I angle is 41˚, Determine also the Station of P.T. if Ts is
measured as 550 ft. The Station of P.C. is 20 + 40.30.
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Solution:
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 10 – REVERSED CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 11 – REVERSED CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 12 – REVERSED CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 13 – REVERSED CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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LESSON 4 – SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
Symmetrical parabolic
curve is a vertical
parabolic curve wherein
the horizontal length of
the curve from the PC to
the vertex is equal to the
horizontal length from
the vertex to the PT.
Figure:
Solution:
AB = BC = 0.90 ft.
L = 6(100) = 600 ft
S1 = 400 ft.
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A Symmetrical parabolic curve is designed to pass through point A at station 4
+ 50 whose elevation is 76.20 ft. The P.C. of this parabolic curve is at station 2
+ 75 whose elevation is 74 ft. The length of the parabolic curve is 400 ft. long
having a backward tangent grade of + 2.5%. It is required to determine the
amount of cut and fill at stations 2 + 75, 3 + 00, 4 + 00, 5 + 00, 6 + 00, and 6 +
75 if the ground elevations are as follows:
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WORKSHEET 15 – SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A symmetrical parabolic curve connects two grades of + 6% and -4%. It is
to pass through a point p the stationing of which is 35 + 280 and the elevation
is 198.13 meters. If the elevation of the grade intersection is 200 meters with
stationing 35 + 300 determine:
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WORKSHEET 16 – SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A horizontal laid circular pipe culvert having an elevation of its top to be
85.26 ft. crosses the right angles under a proposed 400 ft parabolic curve. The
point of intersection of the grade lines is at station 12 + 80 and its elevation is
88.50 ft while the culvert is located at station 13 + 20. The backward tangent
has a grade of + 3% and the grade of the forward tangent is – 1.6%. Under this
conditions, what will be the depth of cover over the pipe?
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WORKSHEET 17 – SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
An underpass road crossing a reinforced concrete bridge along the Shaw
Blvd. has a downward grade of – 4% meeting an upward grade of + 8% at the
vertex V (elevation 70.00 m) at station 7 + 700, exactly underneath the center
line of the bridge having a width of 10.00 meters. If the required minimum
clearance under the bridge is 5.00 meters and the elevation of the bottom of
the bridge is 78.10 meters, determine the following:
a) Length of the vertical parabolic curve that shall connect the two
tangents.
b) Stationing and elevation where a catch basin will be placed.
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WORKSHEET 18 – SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A vertical highway curve is to pass through a railroad at grade. The
crossing must be at Station 64 + 50 and at an elevation 724.00 ft. The initial
grade of the highway is + 2% and meets a – 3% grade at station 62 + 00 at an
elevation of 732.40 ft. The rate of change must not exceed 1% per station.
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LESSON 5 – UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
Example:
Given:
g1 = 7% g2 = -4%
L1=160m L2 = 120m
Required:
a. Elevation of the
Curve of the underpass
b. L2 if elevation of curve is 22.683m.
c. Stationing of the HP of the curve for
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question b.
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Solution:
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WORKSHEET 19 – UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
An unsymmetrical parabolic curve has a forward tangent of -8% and a bacward
tangent of +5%. The length of the curve on the left side of the curve is 40.00
meters long while that of the right side is 60.00 meters long. If P.C. is Station 6
+ 780 and the elevation is 110.00 meters a) determine the height of fill at the
outcrop, b) Determine the height of curve at Sta. 6 + 820.
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WORKSHEET 20 – UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A forward tangent having a slope of -4% intersects the back tangent
having a slope +7% at point V at Station 6 + 300 having an elevation of 230.00
meters. It is required to connect the two tangents with an unsemmetrical
parabolic curve that shall pass through point A on the curve having an
elevation of 227.57 meters at station 6 + 270. The length of curve is 60.00
meters on the side of the back tangent. A) It is required to determine the length
of the curve on the side of the forward tangent. B) Determine the stationing and
elevation of the highest point of the curve.
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WORKSHEET 21 – UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
In a certain road construction undertaken by DPWH it was decided to
connect a forward tangent of 3% and a back tangent of -5% by 200 meter
symmetrical parabolic curve. It was discovered that the grade intersection at 10
+ 100 whose elevation is 100.00 meters fall on a rocky section with the exposed
boulder at elevation 102.67 meters. To avoid rockky excavation, the project
engineer decided to adjust the vertical arabolic curve in such a way that the
curve will just clear the rock without altering the position of P.C. and the grade
of the tangents. Determine the stationing and elevation of new P.T.
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WORKSHEET 22 – UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A forward tangent of +6% was designed to intersect a back tangent of
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LESSON 6 – SIGHT DISTANCE
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Passing Sight Distance
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WORKSHEET 23 – SIGHT DISTANCE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A vertical summit curve has a tangent grades of 2.8% and -1.6%. A
motorist whom eye sight is 4.80 ft. above the road way sighted the top of a
visible object 4.20 high at the right side of the summit. Calculate the length of
the curve for a sight distance of 432.00 ft.
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WORKSHEET 24 – SIGHT DISTANCE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A grade ascending at the rate of 5% meets another grade descending at
the rate of 4% at the vertex of elevation 20.00 m. and stationing 5 + 000. Solve
fot the stationing and elevation of the summit of the vertical parabolic curve
which will connect the grade lines for a safe distance of 150.00 m., the height
of the eyes of the drivers above the pavement at each end of the sight distance
being 1.50 meters
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LESSON 7 – PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE FOR VERTICAL SAG
CURVE AT UNDERPASS
1. When passing sight distance is greater than the length of the curve.
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2. When the passing sight distance is less than the length of curve.
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WORKSHEET 25 – PASSING SIGHT DISTANCES FOR VERTICAL
SAG CURVE AT UNDERPASS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
In a certain underpass, the vertical clearance of the 240.00 meter
arabolic curve with P.C. at station 13 + 000 and elevation 30.00 meters is
14.50 ft. The height of the object at the instant of perception is 3.50 ft. while
that of the driver’s eye is 4.50 ft. If the approach grade is -4% and the passing
sight distance is 320.00 meters, what is the grade of the forward tangent? At
what point (station and elevation) of the curve should the catch basin be
installed?
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WORKSHEET 26 – PASSING SIGHT DISTANCES FOR VERTICAL
SAG CURVE AT UNDERPASS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
The vertical clearance of the parabolic sag curve of the newly constructed
Balintawak Underpass is to be determined if the maximum height of the
driver’s eye that could utilize such underpass measured from the pavement is
4.50 ft., while that of the object at the instant of perception is 3.50 ft. The
length of the parabolic curve is 1,152.00 ft. and that of the passing sight
distance is 1,100.00 ft. The designed grade at the back tangent is -5% while
the forward tangent has a designed grade of +3%.
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WORKSHEET 27 – PASSING SIGHT DISTANCES FOR VERTICAL
SAG CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A highway designed for speeds of 60 mph, is being constructed over a hill
with a 3% ascendinhg grade and a 2% descending grade. The oint of
intersection of the two grades is at elevation 100.00 ft. and at that station the
elevation of the ground is 95.00 ft. What will be the depth of cut at the point
where the two grades intersect if the vertical curve used is designed for a safe
passing sight distance of 2,100.00 ft. Height of observer’s eye from the
pavement is 4.50 ft. and that of the object is also 4.50 ft. above the pavement.
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WORKSHEET 28 – PASSING SIGHT DISTANCES FOR VERTICAL
SAG CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
A vertical parabolic summit curve was designed in order to have a clear
sight distance of 120.00 meters. The grade lines intersect a station 9 + 100 at
elevation 160.50 meters. The curve was so designed such that when the height
of the driover’s eye is 4.50 ft. above the pavement it could just see an object
whose height is 4.20 inches above the pavement. Determine then the
maximum speed that a car could travel along this curve. The grade lines has
an upward grade of +5% and a downward grade of -3%.
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LESSON 8 – SPIRAL CURVE
A spiral curve is a transition curve inserted between a circular curve and
the tangent to the curve. It is a curve of varying radius used to gradually
increase the curvature of the road or railroad used primarily to reduce skidding
and steering difficulties by gradual transition between straight-line and turning
motion. It provides a method for adequately for super elevating curves.
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Elements of Spiral
The symbols PC and PT, TS and ST, and SC and CS become transposed when the direction of stationing
is changed.
a = the angle between the tangent at the TS and the chord from the TS to any point on the spiral
A = the angle between the tangent at the TS and the chord from the TS to the SC
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b = the angle at any point on the spiral between the tangent at that point and the chord from the TS
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B = the angle at the SC between the chord from the TS and the tangent at the SC
c = the chord from any point on the spiral to the TS
f = the angle between any chord of the spiral (calculated when necessary) and the tangent through the TS
I = the angle of the deflection between initial and final tangents; the total central angle of the circular
curve and spirals
L = the length of the spiral in feet from the TS to any given point on the spiral
Ls = the length of the spiral in feet from the TS to the SC, measured in 10 equal chords
o = the ordinate of the offsetted PC; the distance between the tangent and a parallel tangent to the
offsetted curve
r = the radius of the osculating circle at any given point of the spiral
s = the length of the spiral in stations from the TS to any given point
u = the distance on the tangent from the TS to the intersection with a tangent through any given point on
the spiral
U = the distance on the tangent from the TS to the intersection with a tangent through the SC; the longer
spiral tangent
v = the distance on the tangent through any given point from that point to the intersection with the tangent
through the TS
V = the distance on the tangent through the SC from the SC to the intersection with the tangent through
the TS; the shorter spiral tangent
= the central angle of the spiral from the TS to any given point
Ts = the tangent distance of the spiraled curve; distance from TS to PI, the point of intersection of
tangents
Spiral Formulas
The following formulas are for the exact determination of the functions of the 10-chord spiral
when the central angle, , does not exceed 45 degrees. These are suitable for the compilation of
tables and for accurate fieldwork.
3
(4) (5) A = ( /3) - 0.297 seconds
(Exsec = 1 Tan ½ ( )
(11) (12)
(Vers = 1 - Cos )
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For use in the field, the following formulas are sufficiently accurate for practical purposes when
does not exceed 15 degrees.
Spiral Lengths
Different factors must be taken into account when calculating spiral lengths for highway and
railroad layout.
Highways. Spirals applied to highway layout must be long enough to permit the effects of
centrifugal force to be adequately compensated for by proper superelevation. The minimum
transition spiral length for any degree of curvature and design speed is obtained from the the
relationship Ls = 1.6V3/R, in which Ls is the minimum spiral length in feet, V is the design speed
in miles per hour, and R is the radius of curvature of the simple curve. This equation is not
mathematically exact but an approximation based on years of observation and road tests.
Table 1 is compiled from the above equation for multiples of 50 feet. When spirals are
inserted between the arcs of a compound curve, use Ls = 1.6V3/Ra. Ra represents the radius of a
curve of a degree equal to the difference in degrees of curvature of the circular arcs.
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Railroads Spirals applied to railroad layout must be long enough to permit an increase in
superelevation not exceeding 1 ¼ inches per second for the maximum speed of train operation.
The minimum length is determined from the equation Ls = 1.17 EV. E is the full theoretical
superelevation of the curve in inches, V is the speed in miles per hour, and Ls is the spiral length
in feet.
This length of spiral provides the best riding conditions by maintaining the desired relationship
between the amount of superelevation and the degree of curvature. The degree of curvature
increases uniformly throughout the length of the spiral. The same equation is used to compute
the length of a spiral between the arcs of a compound curve. In such a case, E is the difference
between the superelevations of the two circular arcs.
Spiral elements are readily computed from the formulas given above. To use these formulas,
certain data must be known. These data are normally obtained from location plans or by field
measurements.
Example:
The tangents of a spiral curve has azimuth of 226˚ and 221˚ respectively.
The minimum length of the spiral is 40.00 meters. with a minimum super
elevation of 0.10 m/m width of roadway. The maximum velocity to pass over
the curve is 70.00 km/hr. Assume width of the roadway to be 9.00 meters.
a) Determine the degree of simple curve.
b) Determine the length of the spiral at each of the simple curve.
c) The super elevation of the first 10.00 meters from the S.C. on the
spiral. Use e = 0.004 K2/R
Solution:
a) e = 0.004 K2/R
0.10 = 0.004(70)2/R
R = 196.00 meters
D = 1145.916/R
D = 1145.916/196.00
D = 5.85˚
b) Lc = 0.0036K3/R
Lc = 0.0036(70)3/196.00
Lc = 63.00 meters say 60.00 meter (use multiple of 10 m.)
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WORKSHEET 30 – SPIRAL CURVE
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
The two tangents of a simple curve has azimuths of 270˚00’ and 10˚00’
respectively. It has a radius of 320.00 meters. It is required to change this
curve to a spiral curve that will have value of p = 2.50 meters and b = 30.00
meters as shown in the figure. Determine the distance on which the new curve
must be moved from the vertex and its distance from T.S. to the P.C. of the
simple curve, if DE is parallel to h.
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LESSON 9 – EARTHWORKS
EMBANKMENT – the term embankment describes the fill added above the
low points along the roadway to raise the level to the bottom of the pavement
structurematerial for embankment commonly comes from roadway cuts or
designated borrow areas
a. B y A v e r a g e E n d A r e a s
Where:
V = Volume of Section of Earthworks between Sta. 1 and 2, m³
A1, A2 = Cross sectional area of end stations, m²
L = Perpendicular Distance between the end station, m
NOTES:
1. The above volume formula is exact only when A1= A2
but is approximate A1<> A2.
2. Considering the facts that cross-sections are usually a
considerable distance apart and that minor inequalities in the surface
of the earth between sections are not considered, the method of end
areas is sufficiently precise for ordinary earthwork.
3. By where heavy cuts or fills occur on sharp cu rves. The
computed volume of earthwork may be corrected for curvature out of
ordinarily the correction is not large enough to be considered
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4. A . B y P r i s m o i d a l F o r m u l a
V = L/6 (A1 + AM + A2)
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Where:
V = Volume of section of earthwork between Sta 1 and 2 of volume
of prismoid,m³
A1, A2 = cross – sectional area of end sections, m²
AM = Area of mid section parallel to the end sections and which will
be computedas the averages of respective end dimensions, m³
NOTES:
1. A Prismoid is a solid having for its two ends any
dissimilar parallel plane figures of the same number of
sides, and all the sides of the solid plane figures. Also, any
prismoid may be resolve into prisms, pyramids and wedges,
having a common altitudes the perpendicular distance between
the two parallel end plane cross – section.
2. As far as volume of earthworks are concerned, the use of
Prismoidal formula is justified only if cross-section are taken
at short intervals, is a small surface deviations are observed,
and if the areas of successive cross-section cliff or widely
usually it yields smaller values than those computed from
average end areas
SOLUTION:
Compute for the area at each station cross-section and at mid-section
Figure
Figure
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Check for the distances
DR2 = B/2 + SHR2 = ½ (6) + 1.25(0.52) = 3.65m
DL2 = B/2 + SHL2 = ½ (6) + 1.25(3.64) = 7.55m
Area by method of triangle
A2 = AA + AL + Ac + Ad
= ½ (3)(3.64) + ½ (1.85)(7.55) + ½ (1.85)(3.65) + ½ (0.52)(3)
A2 = 16.60m²
Figure
DLm = B / 2 SHLm
57
= 1 / 2 (6) + 1.25(3.22)
DLm = 7.05m
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Area by method of triangle
Am = Ae + Af + Ag + Ah
= ½ (3)(3.24) + ½ (7.05)(2.345) + ½ (5.10)(2.345) + ½ (3)(1.68)
Am = 21.68m
COMPUTE FOR THE VOLUME OF EARTHWORK VOLUME OF CUT IN
BETWEEN THE TWO STATIONS
Figure
Vc = 434.065m
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WORKSHEET 31 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
Derive the prismoidal correction formula for a triangular end areas using the
formula V = L/6 (A1 + AM + A2)
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WORKSHEET 32 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted__________
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WORKSHEET 33 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted_________
Using the prismoidal correction formula, find the corrected volume of cut
between stations 80.00 meters apart if the area of irregular sections in cut at
stations are 26.00 sq.m. and 68.00 sq.m. respectively. Base width = 8.00
meters, side slope 1:1.
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WORKSHEET 34 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted_________
The side slope of a railroad cut shown is 1:1. The width of the roadway is
10.00 meters. Determine the corrected volume by applying the prismoidal
correction. Distance between sections is 100.00 meters.
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WORKSHEET 35 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted_________
Given the cross section notes below of the ground which will be excavated for a
roadway, compute the volume of excavation between stations 47 + 00 and 48 +
00 by: a) end area method; and b) prismoidal formula. The road is 30.00 ft.
wide with slopes of 1.5:1
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WORKSHEET 36 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted_________
From the following cross section notes, compute the corrected volumes of
cut and fill, the road bed being 20.00 ft. wide in cut and 16.00 ft. in fill. The
side slope for both cut and fill is 1:1. Give the results in cubic yard.
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WORKSHEET 37 – EARTHWORKS
Name___________________________________________________________
Course/Year___________________________Date Submitted_________
The following cross section notes are for a road passing a hilly country.
The roads bed is 11.00 meters wide for thorough cut, 10.00 meters for side hill
and 9.00 meters for fill. The slope of the cut is 1:1 and 1.5:1 for fill. Find the
volume of cut and fill by the end area method.
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