Introduction to Horizontal Alignment No.

Basic Function Of Horizontal Alignment

Lying out center line on ground. Consist of tangents, curves, transition curve. Design should be insured that safety, comfort. Horizontal curve should be provided to accommodate for direction change.

Basic terminology related to transition curve.

The need of providing transition curve and basis of using spiral transition curve. Spiral curve is also used in horizontal alignment

Basic Objectives

To understand the AASHTO approach for transition design control considering both. Tangent to curve transition. Spiral curve transition.

1. 2.

1.

Tangent-to-curve transition. In this curve no transition curve is used we have tangent and circular curve directly. Spiral Curve transition. A transition curve is basically spiral curve that is used in b/w tangent and circular curve

2.

Tangent run out and super elevation run off

Tangent Run out : Length of road way needed to accomplish the change in outside lane cross slope from normal cross slope rate to zero or vice versa.

Super Elevation Run Off: The length of road way needed to accomplish the change in outside lane cross slope from zero to full super elevation or vice versa

1. 2.

Now we have to discussed tangent-tocurve transition and spiral curve transition. Tangent-to-curve Transition: In which to two elements are important. Length of super elevation run-off. Length of tangent run-off.

Minimum length of Super Elevation

Consider appearance and comfort there should be maximum acceptable difference b/w longitudent grade and edge of payment. Relative gradient varies with design speed it is not fix speed there is different value suggested by AASHTO guide line.

Minimum length of Run-off is calculated by,

Lr = (Wn1) ed * (bw) n1= no of lanes rotated W= width of lane traffic (m) ed= Design super elevation rate (%) = Maximum relative gradient Bw = Adjustment no. of lanes

Minimum length of Tangent run-out

Relative gradient same as used in super elevation it is calculated by,

Lt = eNc Lr ed ed= Design super elevation rate (%)

eNc= normal cross slope rate (%)

Lr= Length of Run-off

Spiral Curve Transition

1. 2.

In this curve there are two aspect to be consider wherever length to be calculated. Following are two main criteria. Based on driver comfort. Based on lateral shift.

1.

Based on Driver Comfort A spiral length that allows a comfortable increase in lateral acceralation as a vehicle enters in curve

L = 0.0214 v3 RC L = length of transition curve V = design speed R = radius of circular curve C = max change of lateral acceralation (1.2 m/sec)

2.

Based on Lateral Shift:

Spiral curve is sufficiently long to provide a shift in vehicles lateral position with its lane that is consist with the produced by vehicles natural spiral path. Ls(min) =24 P(min) * R P(min) = Lateral offset b/w tangent and circular curve (0.2 m)

Comparison b/w Super Elevation Run-off and Length of Spiral

Super Elevation based on relative gradient while length of spiral is driver comfort and lateral shift. Super elevation run-off accomplished over the length of the transition curve while length of runoff is applicable for all super elevation curves. In general length of spiral and length of run-off are nearly same.

Q:- What are the advantages to providing the transition curve in horizontal alignment ?
1.

2.

To introduce gradually centrifugal force b/w tangent point and circular curve. To improve aesthetic appearance of the road

Q: Why? Spiral is used as ideal shape of transition curve in the horizontal alignment?
IDEAL SHAPE 1. Rate of change of centrifugal acceralation should be consistent. 2. The length should inversly proportional to the radius. 3. Spiral fulfill the condition of ideal transition curve 4. Spiral transition curve simulates the natural turning path of vehicle.