Fall 2008
CEE 320
CEE 320
Anne Goodchild
Outline
1. Concepts
2. Vertical Alignment
a. Fundamentals
b. Crest Vertical Curves
c. Sag Vertical Curves
d. Examples
3. Horizontal Alignment
a. Fundamentals
b. Superelevation
4. Other Stuff
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Vertical Alignment
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Vertical Curve Fundamentals
Parabolic function
Constant rate of change of slope
Implies equal curve tangents
y ax bx c
2
PVI
G1
PVC G2
PVT
L/2
PVC
PVI
PVT
Vertical Curve Fundamentals
PVI
G1
PVC G2
PVT
L/2
y ax bx c
2
Choose Either:
G1, G2 in decimal form, L in feet
Fall 2008
CEE 320
G1 x
PVT
PVC
Y
Ym G2
PVI Yf
A G1 G2
A 2 AL AL
Y x Ym Yf
200 L 800 200
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Other Properties
V12
SSD V1 t r
a
2 g G
g
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Sight Distance (S)
L
AS
2
L 2S
200 H1 H 2
2
200 H1 H 2
2
A
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Crest Vertical Curves
Simplified Equations
For S < L For S > L
AS
2
L 2S
2158
L
2158 A
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Crest Vertical Curves
Assume L > S and check
Generally true
Always safer
2
S
K
2158
G1
headlight beam (diverging from LOS by degrees) G2
PVC PVT
h1 PVI
h2=0
L
Sight distance limited by headlights at
night
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Sag Vertical Curves
Light Beam Distance (S)
G1
headlight beam (diverging from LOS by degrees) G2
PVC PVT
h1=H PVI
h2=0
L
For S < L For S > L
Simplified Equations
For S < L For S > L
AS 400 3.5S
2
L L 2S
400 3.5S A
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Sag Vertical Curves
Assuming L > S
2
S
K
400 3.5S
1. Assume S<L
AS
2
L
400 3.5S
Required SSD
V12
SSD V1t r
a
2 g G
g
196.53 ft
assumes 0 grade
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Sag Vertical Curves
Light Beam Distance (S)
G1
diverging from horizontal plane of vehicle by degrees G2
PVC PVT
h1 PVI
h2=0
AS
1. Assume S<L
2
2. A=6.4 L
2158
3. S=+/- 224.9 ft. But our curve only 150 ft. So assumption wrong.
Fall 2008
CEE 320
Crest Vertical Curve
L 2S
2158
A
V12
SSD V1t r
a
2 g G
S = 243 ft g
SSD = 196.53 ft
L
AS
2
L 2S
200 H1 H 2
2
200 H1 H 2
2
A
S<L S>L
AS H1 H 2
2
Lm 800 H c
H1 H 2 2
800 H c Lm 2S
2 A
Fall 2008
CEE 320