Geometric & Pavement Design

Example Problems
Spring 2008
CEE 320
 Problem 3.15
Due to crashes at a railroad crossing, an overpass (with a surface 24 ft
above the existing road) is to be constructed on an existing level
highway. The existing highway has a design speed of 50 mph. The
overpass structure is to be level, centered above the railroad, and 200
ft long. What length of the existing level highway must be
reconstructed to provide an appropriate vertical alignment?
Spring 2008
CEE 320
 Problem 3.27
A developer is having a single-lane raceway constructed with a 100
mph design speed. A curve on the raceway has a radius of 1000 ft, a
central angle of 30 degrees, and PI stationing at 1125+10. If the design
coefficient of side friction is 0.20, determine the superelevation required
at design speed (do not ignore the normal component of the centripetal
force). Also, compute the degree of curve, length of curve, and
stationing of the PC and PT.
Spring 2008
CEE 320
 Geometric Design Example
A 2-lane (10 ft wide lanes) combined horizontal and crest vertical curve
is currently posted for a 35 mph speed limit and is designed for 40 mph.
Curve data are:

Horizontal: L = 580 ft, = 60, e = 6%, Ms = 30 ft

Vertical: L = 580 ft, G1 = 3%, G2 = -2.5%

Is this curve adequately designed for 40 mph?

Because this curve is often covered in packed snow and ice, the county
wants to post a recommended speed limit for these conditions. What speed
limit do you recommend?
Spring 2008
CEE 320
 Problem 3.37
Two straight sections of freeway cross at a right angle. At the point of crossing, the east-
west highway is at elevation 150 ft and is a constant +5.0% grade (upgrade in the
east direction), the north-south highway is at elevation 125 ft and is a constant -3.0%
grade (downgrade in the north direction). Design a 90-degree ramp that connects the
northbound direction of travel to the eastbound direction of travel.

Design the ramp for the highest design speed (to the nearest 5 mph) without exceeding a
minimum D of 8.0. (Assume the PC of the horizontal curve is at station 15+00, and
the vertical curve PVIs are at the PC and PT of the horizontal curve). Maximum
allowed superelevation by design standards is 12%.

Determine the following:

1. Stationing and elevations of the horizontal curve PC and PT

2. Horizontal curve radius and length
3. Stationing and elevations of the vertical curve PVCs and PVTs
4. Vertical curve lengths
5. Length of constant grade in between the 2 vertical curves (if any)
Spring 2008
CEE 320
 Downhill North
(-3.0%)

Uphill
EW freeway (+5.0%)

Elevation difference = 25 ft

NS freeway
 Pavement Design Example
The pavement on Stevens way is slowly being switched to PCC a few
thousand yards at a time. Assuming all the heavy vehicle traffic on
Stevens Way is due to bus traffic, estimate a rigid pavement design
using the following data:

Design life = 40 years

Articulated bus average axle weights:
Front = 15,000 lb
Middle = 18,500 lb
Rear = 11,500 lb
Regular (non-articulated) bus average axle weights:
Front = 12,200 lb
Rear = 20,000 lb
Typical school day = 80 regular, 40 articulated in one direction
Bus traffic growth rate = 2% per year
Spring 2008

Use undowel joints and crushed stone base material

CEE 320
 Pavement Design Example
What would a flexible pavement design be for the same loading?
Assume:

Two layers (HMA and a granular base course)

Subgrade MR = 10,000 psi
Spring 2008
CEE 320