Geometric Design

Horizontal Alignment
Curves (circular)
Tangents
Transitions

Vertical Alignment
Curves (parabolic)
Tangents

IT222 Plan and Profile Drawing

Types of Horizontal Curves

Simple Curve
Compound Curves
Reverse Curves
Transition (Spiral) Curves

Curve Parameter Use

1.

2.

3.

What parameter is needed to find the beginning of a

curve relative to the PI?
What other parameters affect the value of the
parameter in question 1?
To prevent a subdivision street curve from being too
close to a lot line, the centerline cannot be less
than 65 ft from the PI. Parameter(s) to find R?

Degree of Curvature Arc Definition

Most frequently
used in highway
design
It is the central
angle formed by
two radii that
extend from the
center of a circle
to the ends of an
arc measuring
100 feet long

Degree of Curvature Arc Definition

Ratio between the degree of curvature (D)

and 360 is the same as the ratio between
100 feet of arc and the circumference (C)
of a circle having the same radius
D__ =
360

100__
C

Degree of Curvature Arc Definition

Since the circumference of a circle = 2R

D__ =
360

R = 5729.578 / D

100__
2R

Degree of Curvature Arc Definition

Smaller D means larger R;
Larger D means smaller R
For a 100 arc:

D = 32 degrees, R = 179.05
D = 8 degrees, R = 716.20

Degree of Curvature
Chord Definition

Most frequently used

in railway practice
Degree of curve is
the central angle
formed by two radii
drawn from the
center of the circle to
the ends of a chord
100 feet long

Degree of Curvature
Chord Definition

The following trigonometric relationship

exists:
sin (D/2) = 50/R
Solving for R:
R = 50 / (sin(D/2))

Horizontal Alignment

Principle consideration

Length of radius or
degree of curvature,
based on

Design speed
Sight distance

As limited by headlights or
obstructions

Horizontal Alignment

The smaller the radius, the sharper the

curve

For high speed highways, curves must be flat

and have large radius

Typical radii

12,000 feet on interstate highways

1,000 feet on major arterials
500 feet on industrial access roads
150 feet on residential roads

Geometry:
Intersection or Delta Angle

Angle PI-PC-PT = Delta / 2 because:

Sum of the angles for the isosceles triangle

PC-PI-PT = 180

The angle at the PI = 180 - Delta

Therefore, the other two angles =

(180 (180 - Delta))/2 = Delta/2

Simple Curves

PI
Sta.4+10.23
PI Sta = PC Sta + T

PT

St
a

3
.2
60
1+
a.
St

St
a.
=
5
PC +5
St 2.93
a
+
L

PT

PC
Begin Project Sta 0+00

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

Surveyors stake out curves for construction

Stakes placed at PC, PT and full stations (every

100 feet)
For sharp curves, may need stakes at 25, 50 and
75-feet stations

Two Methods

Deflection Angle Method

Tangent Offset Method

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

Deflection Angle Method

Curve distances assumed to start at PC

Deflection angle: angle between tangent
and chord

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

PI
(V)

Deflection angle
between the
tangent and
chord is half the
PC
subtended arc (A)

/2

PT
(B)

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

PI
(V)

Angle
between 2
chords is half
the
subtended arc

PC
(A)

PT
(B)

D/2

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

Staking out points on the curve

Need:

Deflection angles measured from the PC

(cumulative)
Lengths of the chords joining consecutive
stations
First deflection angle (1) and last deflection
angle (2) are usually < 1 station

C1 = 2R sin (1/2)
C2 = 2R sin (2/2)

PI
(V)

) I or Delta
1/2

TC/PC
(A)

s
t

CT/PT
(B)

Laying Out a HorizontalPICurve

(V)

l1
1

L
or I

l2
2

1/2
D/2
D/2

Deflection angles from the PC

VAp = 1/2
p
PC
VAq = 1/2 + D/2
(A)
VAr = 1/2 + D/2 + D/2
VAs = 1/2 + D/2 + D/2 + D/2
VAt = 1/2 + D/2 + D/2 + D/2 + D/2
1
VAB = 1/2 + D/2 + D/2 + D/2 + D/2 + 2/2

r
D/2

s
D/2

t
2/2

D D D D

PT
(B)

Laying Out a Horizontal Curve

Entire horizontal curve can be laid out

from PC

Sighting deflection angle PI-PC-A = /2

Taping chord distance PC-A
PC and PT can be found by solving for T
and starting at PI

??

Degree of Curve vs Chord

Length
Degree of Curve

Arc Length (ft)

Chord (ft)

2o

100

99.995

3o

100

99.989

6o

100

99.954

10o

100

99.873

Nominal Chord Lengths

Guidelines for curve layout
Da

Nominal Chord Length to Use

< 3o

Full Stations

3o 7o

Half Stations

7o 14o

Quarter Stations

HC Layout example

HC Layout example - detail

Field Notes

Layout Table

Profile from Surveying Text