Job #5 To layout the vertical curve by using Tangent Correction Method.

Apparatus:
Theodolite or Total Station, Ranging Rods, Fiber Glass tape, Hammer, Tripod Stand, auto level, levelling staff

Related Theory:
When two different gradients meet at a point along a road surface, they form a sharp point at the apex. Unless this apex point is rounded off to form a smooth curve, no vehicle can move along that portion of road. So, for the smooth and safe running of vehicles, the meeting point of surface is rounded off to form a smooth curve in a vertical plane. This curve is known as vertical curve. Generally, the parabolic curves are preferred as it is easy to work out the minimum sight distance in their case, and the minimum sight distance is important factor while calculating the length of the vertical curve.

Gradient
The gradient is expressed in two ways: a) As a percentage e.g 1%, 5% etc. b) As 1 in n, where n is the horizontal distance and I represents the vertical distance, e.g 1 in 100, 1 in 200 etc. Again the gradient may be rise or fall. An up gradient is known as rise and is denoted by a positive sign. A down gradient is known as fall and is indicated by a negative sign.

Rate of change of grade

The characteristic of a parabolic curve is that the gradient changes from point to point but the rate of change of grade remains constant. Hence for finding the length of vertical curve, the rate of change of grade should an important consideration as this factor remains constant throughout the length of vertical curve. Rate of change of grade: r = (g2 - g1) / L where, g is expressed as a ratio (positive /, negative \) L is expressed in feet or meters

Length of vertical Curve

The length of vertical curve is calculated by considering the sight distance. To provide the minimum sight distance, a certain permissible rate of change of grade is determined and the length of vertical curve is calculated as fellows. Length of vertical curve= L =

Advance Engineering Surveying.

Engr. Muhammad Safdar

Types of vertical Curves:

Summit / Crest vertical Curve A curve in where an up gradient is followed by a down gradient.

Sag vertical curve A curve in where a down gradient is followed by an up gradient

Setting out of vertical curve

The vertical curve may be set out by the following two methods: a) The tangent correction method b) The chord gradient method The tangent correction method is preferred as it involves simple calculations and curve setting.

Tangent Correction Method

The tangent correction or tangent offset is the difference of elevation between a point (P1) on tangent and a point (P) on curve. y = RL of P1 RL of P = tangent correction

Advance Engineering Surveying.

Engr. Muhammad Safdar

P1 X1 +g% P

-g% A1

O x

Let x be the horizontal distance of point p from origin. X 1 is the sloping distance along the gradient of point P1. Here x is taken to be approximately equal to x1. The equation of the curve is y = Cx Where, C = constant = = half length of vertical curve. g1 and g2 grade in percentage. yx = Important Points 1. The length of vertical curve is assumed equal to length of two tangents. BT1+ BT2 = T1B1 + B1T2 = 2, =half length of vertical curve B x
2 2

-g% B1 +g%

T1

B2

T2

2. The curve is assumed equally long on either side of the apex point. BT1= BT2 = so, T1B1 = B1T2 =

Advance Engineering Surveying.

Engr. Muhammad Safdar

3. The length of vertical curve is given by formula: L= 4. Chainage of T1 = Chainage of B BT1 5. Chainage of T2 = Chainage of B + BT2 6. RL of T1 = RL of B 7. RL of T2 = RL of B 8. RL of B2 = ( RL of T1+ RL of T2) 9. RL of B1 = ( RL of B + RL of B2) 10. The tangent correction at distance x, yx = x
2

11. The tangent correction is deduced from the RL of a point on the grade to get corresponding point on the curve.

Curve Design data

Rising gradient = g1 = 3% Falling gradient = g2 = 2% Chainage of intersection of grade line = 2325.0 m RL of intersection point of grade line = 215.07 m Chainage interval = 20 m Length of vertical curve = 127.84 m 3% B

2%

A 63.92m a) Length of vertical curve = 127.84 m So length on either side of IP is 63.92 m. b) Chainages: B = 2325.0 m A = 2325 63.92 = 2261.08 m C = 2325 + 63.92 = 2388.92 m c) Levels: B = 215.07 m A = 215.07 63.92 C = 215.07 63.92 = 213.15 m = 213.79 m 63.92m

Advance Engineering Surveying.

Engr. Muhammad Safdar

d) Grade RL (z) Rise per 20 m = Fall per 20 m = (+ve) (-ve) (fall from point B)

e) Tangent correction (y)

yx = f) Curve level (b)

Curve level = grade level tangent correction Table for setting out: pt A P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 C Chainage 2261.08 2280 2300 2320 2340 2360 2380 2388.12 X (m) 0 18.92 38.92 58.92 78.92 98.92 118.92 127.84 Level on tangent (z) 213.15 213.72 214.32 214.92 215.52 216.12 216.72 216.98 Tangent correction (y) 0 0.07 0.29 0.68 1.22 1.91 2.76 3.19 Curve level = z-y =b 213.15 213.65 214.03 214.24 214.30 214.21 213.96 213.79 NSL (a) Mark on pole (b-a)

Table for Levelling

pt A P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 C

BS

IS

FS

HOI

RL

Procedure:
1. The theodolite is centered and leveled at point T 1. 2. Using theodolite locate point T 2. (Main chord length is to be set by ranging) 3. Fix the poles at intermediate points. 4. Perform leveling to find NSL. 5. Mark the point on pole by using the difference in NSL and curve level.

Comments:

Advance Engineering Surveying.

Engr. Muhammad Safdar