Elements of Reverse Curve

Radii R1 and R2 of two circular arcs

Angle of total deflection ( ) of the straights
Angles of deflection1 ,  2 of the common tangent.
Angle 1 ,  2 between the straights and the line joining
the points of commencement and tangency (See
figure bellow).

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Relationship between elements of reverse curve

It is not possible to determine the elements of a reverse

curve unless following conditions are specified.
R1 and R2 are equal.
 1 and  2 are equal.
The length of the line joining the tangent points is
known.

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1  2
Depending upon the values of angles of deflection ,
of the common tangent, three cases may arise:

2
 1 and
Case I. When the two straights are non-parallel
> :
By the following given information you can find the
common radius:
(i)The length of the line joining the tangent points T1 and
T2
(ii)The angles and between the line T1 T2 and back
straight T1B and forward straight CT2 respectively.
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Case II. When the straights are non-parallel and
<
by given the central angle ( , ) and the  2 (L)
 1 length
of the common tangent  1 BC
 2 you can compute the
common radius.

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Case III. When the straights are parallel
1  2 (
Given Data: Two radii (R1, R2) and central angles
, )
Required:
(i) The distance (L) between the tangent points T1 and
T2
(ii) Perpendicular distance between two given straights
(iii) Distance h between perpendiculars at T1 and T2.

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Transition Curves
Gradually changing the curvature from tangents to
circular curves

Without Transition Curves

With Transition Curves

Transition Curves
Gradually changing the curvature from tangents to
circular curves
Use a spiral curve

L: min length of spiral (ft)

V: speed (mph)
R: curve radius (ft)
C: rate of increase of centrifugal accel (ft/sec3), 1~3
Vertical Alignment

Reduced
Speed

Increased
Speed
Introduction
Vertical curves (VC) are used to connect
intersecting gradients in the vertical plane.
Thus, in route design they are provided at all
changes of gradient.
They should be sufficiently large curvature to
provide comfort to the driver, i.e., they should
have a low “rate of change.”
In addition, they should afford adequate “sight
distance” for safe stopping at a given design
speed.
In vertical curve design the gradients are
expressed as percentages, with a negative for
downgrade and a positive for an upgrade.
Eg. A downgrade of 1 in 20 = 5 in 100= -5%=-g1%
An upgrade of 1 in 25 = 4 in 100 = +4% = +g2%

Grade is a proportional rise or fall between two

points along a straight line.
The angle of deflection of the two intersecting
gradients is called the grade angle and equals G
G%=(g2%- g1%)
Requirements of Vertical curve
Adequate visibility:-in order that vehicles traveling at the
design speed can stop or overtake safely it is essential that
oncoming vehicles or any object in the road can be seen
clearly in good time.
Passenger comfort and safety :-as the vehicle travels along
the curve a radial force acts on the vehicle in the vertical
plane. in sag curves the underside of the vehicle could
contact with the road surface.
It should provide a constant rate of change of grade, and

A parabola fulfills this requirement

Introd. …Contd

Vertical curve could be a sag (Valley) or crest

(summit) curve.
CREST CURVES: - Which can also be referred to as

a summit or hogging curve, is one for which the

algebraic difference of the gradients is negative
when calculated from right to left.
SAG CURVES: A sag curve (valley) curve is one
for which the algebraic difference of the
gradients is positive when calculated from right
to left.
Purposes of vertical curves

There are two general purposes of V. curves:

Adequate visibility (Sight distance)- For a vehicle
to stop or to over take safely, it is essential that
on coming or any obstructions in the road can be
seen clearly at good time.
Passenger comfort & safety- As the vehicle
travels along the curve a radial force acts on the
vehicle in the vertical plan.
B. Unsymmetrical parabolic curve
 It is a curve in which the horizontal distance
from the PVI(V) to the PVC is different from the
horizontal distance between PVI and PVT.
ELEMENTS OF PARABOLIC VERTICAL CURVE
Vertex (V): the point of intersection of the grade line
(PVI).
Point of V. Curvature (PVC)- The pt of tangency where
the parabolic V. curve leaves initial grade.
Point of Vertical tangency (PVT)- The pt of tangency
where the parabolic V. curve meets the forward grade.
Length of vertical curve (L)- the horizontal distance b/n
PVC to PVT.
g1: percent grade of back tangent
g2: percent grade of forward tangent
x: horizontal distance from any point on the curve to
the BVC
r: rate of change of grade
Equations of symmetrical parabolic vertical curve

Let X and Y be the coordinates of pt p on the curve wrt

point A.
e= the vertical offset (m) from the vertex (PVI) to the
middle of the curve.
y= the vertical offset (m) from the tangent to any
point on the curve.
The general equation of a parabola having vertical axis,
is

2 if x=0 = b=g1
d y
2
2a
dx

2a=r a =r/2
 y=ax2+bx+c y=r/2x2+g1x+ elevBVC
it is proved that the rate of change of grade along a
Vertical curves
Vertical curves

• Important issues
– Vertical acceleration
– Drainage (Sag)
– Ventilation (Summit) in
Tunnels ?
Equations:
r = (g2 – g1)/L
where:
g2 & g1 - in percent (%)
L – in stations
and
Y = YBVC + g1x + (r/2)x2
where:
YBVC – elevation of the BVC in feet
Types of Vertical Curves
Equal-Tangent Vertical Parabolic
Curve:
Properties of Vertical Curves
BVC
G1

G2
EVC

L/2 PI
L/2
L

Change in grade: A = G2 - G1

where G is expressed as % (positive /, negative \)

For a crest curve, A is negative

For a sag curve, A is positive
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

L/2 PI
L/2
L

Rate of change of curvature: K = L / |A|

Which is a gentler curve - small K or large K?

Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

L/2 PI
L/2
L

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

Note – K and r are both measuring the same characteristic of the curve
but in different ways
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1
Elevation = y
G2
EVC

PI

Equation for determining the elevation at any point on the curve

y = y0 + g1x + 1/2 rx2

where,
y0 = elevation at the BVC
g = grade expressed as a ratio
x = horizontal distance from BVC
r = rate of change of grade expressed as ratio
Properties of Vertical Curves
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI

Example: Length of curve?

G1 = -1% G2 = +2%
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m L/2 = Sta. EVC – Sta. PI
Station of EVC = 25+00 L/2 = 2500 m - 2400 m = 100 m
Station of PI = 24+00 L = 200 m
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI

Example: r - value?
G1 = -1% G2 = +2%
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m r = (g2 - g1)/L
Station of EVC = 25+00 r = (0.02 - [-0.01])/200 m
Station of PI = 24+00 r = 0.00015 / meter
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI

Example: Station of low point?

G1 = -1% G2 = +2% x = -(g1/r)
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m x = -([-0.01] / [0.00015/m])
Station of EVC = 25+00 x = 66.67 m
Station of PI = 24+00
Station = [23+00] + 67.67 m
Station 23+67
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI

Example: Elevation at low point?

G1 = -1% G2 = +2% y = y0 + g1x + 1/2 rx2
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m y0 = Elev. BVC
Station of EVC = 25+00 Elev. BVC = Elev. PI - g1L/2
Station of PI = 24+00 Elev. BVC = 125 m - [-0.01][100 m]
Elev. BVC = 126 m
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI

Example: Elevation at low point?

G1 = -1% G2 = +2%
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m y = y0 + g1x + 1/2 rx2
Station of EVC = 25+00 y = 126 m + [-0.01][66.67 m] +
Station of PI = 24+00 1/2 [0.00015/m][66.67 m]2
y = 125.67 m
Properties of Vertical Curves

BVC
G1

G2
EVC

PI
Elevation at station 23+50?
Example:
y = 126 m + [-0.01][50 m] +
G1 = -1% G2 = +2% 1/2 [0.00015/m][50 m]2
Elevation of PI = 125.00 m y = 125.69 m
Station of EVC = 25+00
Elevation at station 24+50?
Station of PI = 24+00
y = 126 m + [-0.01][150 m] +
1/2 [0.00015/m][150 m]2
y = 126.19 m
Class Work
Equal-Tangent Vertical Curve
Given the information show below, compute and tabulate the
curve for stakeout at full 100’ stations.
Solution:
L = STAEVC – STABVC
L = 4970 – 4370 = 600’
or 6 full stations

r = (g2 – g1) / L
r = (-2.4 – 3) / 6
r = -0.90
r/2 = -0.45 % per station
STABVC = STAVertex – L / 2 = 4670 – 600/2 = STABVC= STA 43 + 70
STAEVC = STAVertex + L / 2 = 4670 + 600/2 = STAEVC= STA 49 + 70
ElevBVC = Elevvertex – g1 (L/2) = 853.48 – 3.00 (3) = 844.48’
ElevEVC = Elevvertex – g2 (L/2) = 853.48 – 2.40 (3) = 846.28 ’
Solution:
(continued)
r/2 = -0.45 % per station
Elevx = ElevBVC + g1x + (r/2)x2
Elev 44 + 00 = 844.48 + 3.00(0.30) –0.45(0.30)2 = 845.34’
Elev 45 + 00 = 844.48 + 3.00(1.30) –0.45(1.30)2 = 847.62’
Elev 46 + 00 = 844.48 + 3.00(2.30) –0.45(2.30)2 = 849.00’
etc.
Elev 49 + 00 = 844.48 + 3.00(5.30) –0.45(5.30)2 = 847.74’
Elev 49 + 70 = 844.48 + 3.00(6.00) –0.45(6.00)2 = 846.28’ (CHECKS)
Solution:
(continued)

x Curve
Station (stations) g1x r/2 x2 Elevation
43 + 70 BVC 0.0 0.00 0.00 844.48
44 + 00 0.3 .90 -0.04 845.34
45 + 00 1.3 3.90 -0.76 847.62
46 + 00 2.3 6.90 -2.38 849.00
47 + 00 3.3 9.90 -4.90 849.48
48 + 00 4.3 12.90 -8.32 849.06
49 + 00 5.3 15.90 -2.64 847.74
49 + 70 EVC 6.0 18.00 -6.20 846.28
High and Low Points on Vertical
Curves
Sag Curves:
Low Point defines location of catch basin for drainage.
Crest Curves:
High Point defines limits of drainage area for roadways.
Also used to determine or set elevations based on minimum clearance
requirements.
Equation for High or Low Point on a
Vertical Curve:
y = yBVC + g1x + (r/2)x2
Set dy/dx = 0 and solve for x to locate turning point
0 = 0 + g1 + r x
Substitute (g2 – g1) / L for r
-g1 = x (g2 – g1) / L
-g1 L = x (g2 – g1)
x = (-g1 L) / (g2 – g1)
or
x = (g1 L) / (g1 – g2) = g1/r x – distance from BVC to HP or LP
Example: High Point on a Crest Vertical
Curve
From previous example:
g1 = + 3 %, g2 = - 2.4%, L = 600’ = 6 full stations, r/2 = - 0.45,
ElevBVC = 844.48’
x = (g1 L) / (g1 – g2)
x = (3)(6) / (3 + 2.4) = 3.3333 stations or 333.33’
HP STA = BVC STA + x
HP STA = 4370 + 333.33 = HP STA 47 + 03.33
ELEVHP = 844.48 + 3.00(3.3333) – 0.45(3.3333)2 = 849.48’
Check table to see if the computed elevation is reasonable!
Assignment_
A 200 meter equal tangent parabolic vertical curve is to
be placed to negotiate a upward grade of 1.50% followed
by a downward grade at 2.5% intersecting at a station
having elevation 185.795 m above mean sea level.
Calculate elevations at even 20 m stations on the
vertical curve and determine the station and elevation of
the highest point on the vertical curve.
Thank You