Unsymmetrical
Parabolic
Curve
Engr. Akira Q.
Nakaegawa March 10,
2020
Since we already know the
elements of aParabolic Curve…
Symmetrical
• Let us now:
• Determine the how to analyze Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curves.
• Determine the differences of a Symmetrical and an Unsymmetrical
Parabolic Curve.
• Have two sample problems.
Elements of an Unsymmetrical
Parabolic
+g1L2
(g1-g2)L2
T1 T2
-g2L2
PC
PT
L1 L2
L
Elements of an Unsymmetrical
Parabolic
First, I would like to emphasize
that in Unsymmetrical Parabolic +g1L2
Curves, L1 IS NOT EQUAL TO L2.
(g1-g2)L2
T1 T
-g2L2
PC
P
L L
L
Elements of an Unsymmetrical
Parabolic
For that reason, we only use the
First, I would like to emphasize length of L2 for this element.
that in Unsymmetrical Parabolic +g1L2
Curves, L1 IS NOT EQUAL TO L2.
(g1-g2)L2
T1 T
-g2L2
PC
P
L L
L
In order to get “H”,
• We simply use ratio and proportion:
2𝐻 𝑔1 − 𝑔2 𝐿2
=
𝐿1 𝐿
𝑳 𝟏𝑳 𝟐 𝒈 𝟏 − 𝒈 𝟐
• Isolating H, we get:
𝑯= 𝟐𝑳
To get the Lowest or Highest Point on
the Curve:
𝒈𝟏𝑳�𝟐
• From PC
𝒔𝟏
𝟐𝑯
=
𝒈𝟐𝑳�𝟐
• From PT
𝒔 𝟐𝑯
𝟐
=
Note:
𝒔𝟏 + 𝒔𝟐 = 𝑳
**This is the same case as in Symmetrical Parabolic Curves.
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
• First Step which I highly advise is to draw the Parabolic curve.
Example
g1 = ? g2 = -1.4%
PC
PT
L2
L
Example
Assuming that this is the highest point on the
curve, we can simply identify the location of our
s1, which is equal to 70.59 m.
g1 = ?
g2 = -1.4%
PC
PT
L2
s1 = 70.59
L
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
• Second Step: Assume it is an Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curve.
2
𝑔1𝐿
• So using the formula which was shown earlier, we can use:
𝑠1 =
1
(1) and 𝐻 𝐿1𝐿2 𝑔1−𝑔2
=
2 2𝐿
(2)
𝐻
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
𝑔1𝐿
• Third Step: Perform simple substitution2 of Eq. 2 into Eq. 1:
𝑠1 = 1
2 𝐿1𝐿2𝑔1 − 𝑔2
2𝐿
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
𝑔1𝐿
• Third Step: Perform simple substitution of2 Eq. 2 into Eq. 1:
70.59 = 1
2𝐿1𝐿2 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2(120)
𝐿1 + 𝐿2 = 𝐿 > 𝐿2 = 𝐿 − 𝐿1
• Since we still have three unknowns, let use another formula:
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
𝑔1𝐿2
• Fourth Step: Perform another substitution:
70.59 = 1
2𝐿 1(120 − 𝐿1) 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2(120)
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
𝑔1𝐿2
• Fourth Step: Perform another substitution:
70.59 = 1
2𝐿 1(120 − 𝐿1) 𝑔1 − (−0.014)
2(120)
• Unfortunately, we have used all given but we have two unknowns
remaining. So, let us assume for the problem to be SYMMETRICAL.
Example
• The distance of the highest point of a Vertical Curve is 70.59 m from
PC. If the length of the curve is 120 m and the slope of the forward
tangent is -1.4%, determine the slope of the back tangent.
𝑔1 120
• Fifth Step: Assume it is a Symmetrical Parabolic Curve.
𝑠 𝑔1𝐿 >>> 70.59 =
= 𝑔1−𝑔 𝑔1+0.014
1
2
𝑔1:
• Solving for
𝒈𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎%
Example
• An unsymmetrical parabolic curve has a forward tangent of -8% and a
back tangent of +5%. The length of the curve on the left side of the
curve is 40 m. long while the right side is 60 m. long. PC is at Sta.
66+780 and at Elev. 110 m.
1. Determine the height of fill at the outcrop (30 m from PC with top
elevation of 108.40 m).
2. Determine the elevation of the curve at Sta. 6+820.
Exampl
Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2
PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
Sta 66+780 -g2L2
Elev. 110 z
m Elev. 108.4 PT
m
4 6
L
Exampl
Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2
PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
a Sta 66+780 z -g2L2
Elev. 110 m Elev. 108.4 m
PT
40 60
L
Example
𝑎= = 1.500 𝑚
• Step 1: Solve for a:
0.05 30
𝑦 𝐻
• Step 2: Using Squared Property of Parabola:
𝑥2
= 𝐿12
𝐻 = 60 0.05 + 0.08
*But, we still lack value for H:
2(100)
𝐻 = 1.560 𝑚
Example
40302
𝑦 = 1.56
• Step 3: Solve for y using SPP:
2
𝑦 = 0.878 𝑚
𝑧 = 110 + 𝑎 − 𝑦 − 108.40
• Step 4: Get the value of z:
𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍, 𝒛 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝒎
Exampl
Sta 66 + 820 +g1L2
PI
(g1-g2)L2
PC y
c -g2L2
Sta 66+780 z
Elev. 110 m Elev. 108.4 m
PT
40 60
L
Example No. 2
𝐸𝑙820 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑐 − 𝐻
• Step 1 (for b):
𝑐 = 0.05 40 = 2.000 𝑚
• Step 2: Solve for c
𝐸𝑙820 = 100 + 2 − 1.56
𝑬𝒍𝟖𝟐𝟎 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟎 𝒎
