Topics: Compound Curve
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Identify the elements of compound curve.
2. Compute the elements of the compound curve.
LEARNING CONTENT:
Compound Curve
A compound curve is a horizontal circular curve that consists of 2 or more simple curves moving in the same
direction.
Elements of Compound Curve:
PC – the beginning of the compound curve T – common tangent
PCC – point of compound curve. It is the common T1, T2 – tangents of the simple curves
point of simple curves C – long chord of the compound curve
PT – the end of the compound curve C1, C2 – chord of the simple curves
V – vertex of the compound curve R1, R2 – radii of simple curves
V1, V2 – vertices of the simple curves LC1, LC2 – length of curve of simple curves
TL – long tangent I – angle of intersection of the compound curve
TS – short tangent I1, I2 –angles of intersection of simple curves
Formula for Computation:
𝑇 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑇𝐿
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉1 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑇1
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉2 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶𝐶 + 𝑇2
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶2
Sample Problem:
A compound curve is laid out 480 m from the PC to the PCC having a radius of 763.94 m, then from the PCC,
another curve was laid out to the PT 250 m long with a radius of 208.85 m. If the stationing of the point of
intersection of the tangents is 1+234, determine the following:
1. Full stations
2. Long chord of the compound curve
3. Angles that the long chord makes with the tangents
Given:
Solution:
𝜋𝑅1 𝐼1 Use this formula to compute for the I1.
𝐿𝑐1 =
180°
𝜋(763.94 𝑚)(𝐼1 ) Then, substitute the available variables.
480 𝑚 =
180°
𝑰𝟏 = 𝟑𝟔°𝟎′ 𝟎. 𝟔𝟑" The angle of intersection of the 1st curve.
𝜋𝑅2 𝐼2 Use this formula to compute for the I2.
𝐿𝑐2 =
180°
𝜋(208.85 𝑚)(𝐼1 ) Then, substitute the available variables.
250 𝑚 =
180°
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟔𝟖°𝟑𝟓′ 𝟓. 𝟒𝟒" The angle of intersection of the 2nd curve.
𝐼1 Use this formula to compute for the T 1.
𝑇1 = 𝑅1 tan
2
36°0′ 0.63" Then, substitute the available variables.
𝑇1 = (763.94 𝑚) tan
2
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟐𝟒𝟖. 𝟐𝟐 𝒎 The tangent distance of the 1st curve.
𝐼2 Use this formula to compute for the T 2.
𝑇2 = 𝑅2 tan
2
68°35′5.44" Then, substitute the available variables.
𝑇2 = (208.85 𝑚) tan
2
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏𝟒𝟐. 𝟒𝟑 𝒎 The tangent distance of the 2nd curve.
𝑇 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2 Use this formula to compute for the T.
𝑇 = 248.22 𝑚 + 142.43 𝑚 Then, substitute the available variables.
𝑻 = 𝟑𝟗𝟎. 𝟔𝟓 𝒎 The common tangent of the compound curve.
𝛽 = 180° − (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) Sum of interior angles in triangle V1, V, V2
𝛽 = 180° − (36°0′ 0.63" + 68°35′ 5.44") Then, substitute the available variables.
𝜷 = 𝟕𝟓°𝟐𝟒′ 𝟓𝟑. 𝟗𝟑" The angle 𝛽 in the said triangle.
𝑋 𝑇
= By sine law in triangle V1, V, V2
sin 𝐼2 sin 𝛽
𝑋 390.65 𝑚
′
= Then, substitute the available variables.
sin 68°35 5.44" sin 75°24′53.93"
𝑿 = 𝟑𝟕𝟓. 𝟕𝟗 𝒎 The value of X in the said triangle.
𝑇𝐿 = 𝑇1 + 𝑋 In the figure, TL is the sum of T1 and X.
𝑇𝐿 = 248.22 + 375.79 Then, substitute the available variables.
𝑻𝑳 = 𝟔𝟐𝟒. 𝟎𝟏 𝒎 The long tangent.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑉 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝑇𝐿 Use this formula to compute for sta PC.
(1 + 234) = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 624.01 𝑚 Then, substitute the available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑪 = 𝟎 + 𝟔𝟎𝟗. 𝟗𝟗 The stationing of the beginning of the compound curve.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶1 + 𝐿𝐶2 This can be used to directly get sta PT.
𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = (0 + 609.99) + 480𝑚 + 250 𝑚 Then, substitute the available variables.
𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝑷𝑻 = 𝟏 + 𝟑𝟑𝟗. 𝟗𝟗 The stationing of the end of the compound curve..
1𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0 + 620 There are 36 full stations in the whole compound
𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 1 + 320 curve.
𝒏 = 𝟑𝟔 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔
To compute for the long chord, let us consider triangle PC, PCC, and PT.
𝐼1
𝐶1 = 2𝑅1 sin Compute C1.
2
36°0′ 0.63"
𝐶1 = 2(763.94 𝑚) sin Then, substitute the available variables.
2
𝑪𝟏 = 𝟒𝟕𝟐. 𝟏𝟒 𝒎 The chord of the 1st curve.
𝐼2
𝐶2 = 2𝑅2 sin Compute C2.
2
68°35′ 5.44"
𝐶2 = 2(208.85 𝑚) sin Then, substitute the available variables.
2
𝑪𝟐 = 𝟐𝟑𝟓. 𝟑𝟒 𝒎 The chord of the 2nd curve.
Isolating sta PCC:
𝐼1 𝐼2
180° = + +𝛼 A straight line angle principle.
2 2
36°0′ 0.63" 68°35′ 5.44"
180° = + +𝛼 Then, substitute the available variables.
2 2
𝜶 = 𝟏𝟐𝟕°𝟒𝟐′ 𝟐𝟔. 𝟗𝟕” The value of angle 𝛼.
𝐶 2 = (𝐶1 )2 + (𝐶2 )2 − 2𝐶1 𝐶2 cos 𝛼 Compute C by cosine law in the triangle.
𝐶 2 = (472.14)2 + (235.34)2 − 2(472.14)(235.34) cos 127°42′ 26.97” Then, substitute the available variables.
The long chord of the compound
𝑪 = 𝟔𝟒𝟑. 𝟔𝟎 𝒎
curve.
Consider triangle PC, V, and PT to determine the angles that the long makes with the tangents.
𝑇𝐿 𝐶
= By sine law in triangle V1, V, V2
sin ∅ sin 𝛽
624.01 𝑚 643.60 𝑚
= Then, substitute the available variables.
sin ∅ sin 75°24′ 53.93"
′
∅ = 𝟔𝟗°𝟒𝟔 𝟏𝟓. 𝟑𝟕” The angle that the long chord makes with the short
tangent.
𝜃 = 180° − (𝛽 + ∅) By sum of interior angles.
𝜃 = 180° − (75°24′ 53.93" + 69°46′ 15.37” ) Then, substitute the available variables.
𝜽 = 𝟑𝟒°𝟒𝟖′ 𝟓𝟎. 𝟕𝟎" The angle that the long chord makes with the long
tangent.
Sample Problem:
Given the figure below, the 1st simple curve is twice sharper than the 2nd simple curve. Determine the following:
a. Total length of the road from A to F
b. Total area of the road if it is 12-m wide
c. Total cost of construction if the prevailing rate at the site is P1200/m 2
Given in the problem are distances 𝐴𝐵 = 200 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 220 𝑚, 𝐶𝐷 = 280 𝑚, 𝐷𝐸 = 250 𝑚, 𝐸𝐹 = 260 𝑚, and that
𝑅 2 = 2𝑅1 .
Solution:
All radii are to be computed before determining the requirements in the problem. To start with, consider curves 1 and 2
with common tangent BC:
𝑇 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇2
𝐼1 𝐼2 𝑅2 = 2𝑅1
𝐵𝐶 = 𝑅1 tan + 𝑅2 tan
2 2 𝑅2 = 2(184.50 𝑚)
40° 45° 𝑹𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔𝟗. 𝟎𝟎 𝒎
220 = 𝑅1 tan + 2𝑅1 tan
2 2
𝑹𝟏 = 𝟏𝟖𝟒. 𝟓𝟎 𝒎
Considering curves 2 and 3 with common tangent CD:
𝑇 = 𝑇2 + 𝑇3 45° 35°
𝐼2 𝐼3 280 = 369.00(tan ) + 𝑅3 tan
𝐶𝐷 = 𝑅2 tan + 𝑅3 tan 2 2
2 2 𝑹𝟑 = 𝟒𝟎𝟑. 𝟐𝟖 𝒎
Considering curves 3 and 4 with common tangent DE:
𝑇 = 𝑇3 + 𝑇4
𝐼3 𝐼4
𝐷𝐸 = 𝑅3 tan + 𝑅4 tan
2 2
35° 38°
250 = 403.28(tan ) + 𝑅4 tan
2 2
𝑹𝟒 = 𝟑𝟓𝟔. 𝟕𝟕 𝒎
Let us add more variables in the figure:
The proposed road starts at station A, passing through PC, PCC 1, PCC2, PCC3, PT, and ends at station F. To determine the
total length of the road, values of X and Y are to be computed to be added to the length of the compound curve.
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑇1 + 𝑋
𝐼1 𝜋𝑅2 𝐼2
200 = 𝑅1 tan +𝑋 𝐿𝐶2 =
2 180°
40° 𝜋(369.00)(45°)
200 = 184.50(tan )+𝑋 𝐿𝐶2 =
2 180°
𝑿 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐. 𝟖𝟓 𝒎 𝑳𝑪𝟐 = 𝟐𝟖𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎
𝐸𝐹 = 𝑇4 + 𝑌 𝜋𝑅3 𝐼3
𝐼4 𝐿𝐶3 =
260 = 𝑅4 tan + 𝑌 180°
2 𝜋(403.28)(35°)
38° 𝐿𝐶3 =
260 = 356.77(tan )+𝑌 180°
2 𝑳𝑪𝟑 = 𝟐𝟒𝟔. 𝟑𝟓 𝒎
𝒀 = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟏𝟓 𝒎
𝜋𝑅4 𝐼4
𝜋𝑅1 𝐼1 𝐿𝐶4 =
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
180° 𝜋(356.77)(38°)
𝜋(184.50)(40°) 𝐿𝐶4 =
𝐿𝐶1 = 180°
180° 𝑳𝑪𝟒 = 𝟐𝟑𝟔. 𝟔𝟐 𝒎
𝑳𝑪𝟏 = 𝟏𝟐𝟖. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎
Then, the road length will now be:
𝐿 = 𝑋 + 𝐿𝐶1 + 𝐿𝐶2 + 𝐿𝐶3 + 𝐿𝐶4 + 𝑌
𝐿 = 132.85 + 128.81 + 289.81 + 246.35 + 236.62 + 137.15
𝑳 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟕𝟏. 𝟓𝟗 𝒎
To determine the area of the road 12-m wide, it can be illustrated this way:
For the area of road X and Y:
𝐴𝑋 = 𝑋(12) 𝐴𝑌 = 𝑌(12)
𝐴𝑋 = 132.85(12) 𝐴𝑌 = 137.15(12)
𝟐
𝑨𝑿 = 𝟏, 𝟓𝟗𝟒. 𝟐𝟎 𝒎 𝑨𝒀 = 𝟏, 𝟔𝟒𝟓. 𝟖𝟎 𝒎𝟐
For the area of the compound curve, each of the simple curves are to be considered:
𝐼1 𝐼3
𝐴1 = 𝜋[(𝑅1 + 6)2 − (𝑅1 − 6)2 ]( ) 𝐴3 = 𝜋[(𝑅3 + 6)2 − (𝑅3 − 6)2 ]( )
360° 360°
40° 35°
𝐴1 = 𝜋[(184.50 + 6)2 − (184.50 − 6)2 ] ( ) 𝐴3 = 𝜋[(403.28 + 6)2 − (403.28 − 6)2 ] ( )
360° 360°
𝑨𝟏 = 𝟏, 𝟓𝟒𝟓. 𝟔𝟔 𝒎𝟐 𝑨𝟑 = 𝟐, 𝟗𝟓𝟔. 𝟐𝟎 𝒎𝟐
𝐼2 𝐼4
𝐴2 = 𝜋[(𝑅2 + 6)2 − (𝑅2 − 6)2 ]( ) 𝐴4 = 𝜋[(𝑅4 + 6)2 − (𝑅4 − 6)2 ]( )
360° 360°
45° 38°
𝐴2 = 𝜋[(369.00 + 6)2 − (369.00 − 6)2 ] ( ) 𝐴4 = 𝜋[(356.77 + 6)2 − (356.77 − 6)2 ] ( )
360° 360°
𝑨𝟐 = 𝟑, 𝟒𝟕𝟕. 𝟕𝟒 𝒎𝟐 𝑨𝟒 = 𝟐, 𝟖𝟑𝟗. 𝟒𝟑 𝒎𝟐
The total area of the proposed road will then be:
𝐴 = 𝐴𝑋 + 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + 𝐴3 + 𝐴4 + 𝐴𝑌
𝐴 = 1594.20 + 1545.66 + 3477.74 + 2956.20 + 2839.43 + 1645.80
𝑨 = 𝟏𝟒, 𝟎𝟓𝟗. 𝟎𝟑 𝒎𝟐
The total cost of construction can be computed as:
𝐶 = 𝐴(𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)
𝐶 = 14,059.03(𝑃1200)
𝑪 = 𝑷𝟏𝟔, 𝟖𝟕𝟎, 𝟖𝟑𝟔. 𝟎𝟎
------- End of Lesson 4 -------
