Engineering Curves – I Engineering Curves – II

1. 1. Classification
Classification
2.
2. Conic sections - Definitions
explanation 3. Involutes

3. Common 4. Cycloid
Definition
5. Spiral
4. Ellipse

5. Parabola

6. Hyperbola
 ENGINEERING CURVES
Part- I {Conic Sections}

ELLIPSE PARABOLA HYPERBOLA

1.Concentric Circle Method 1.Rectangle Method 1.Basic Locus Method

(Directrix – focus)
2.Rectangle Method 2 Method of Tangents
( Triangle Method)
3.Oblong Method
3.Basic Locus Method
4.Rhombus Method (Directrix – focus)

5.Basic Locus Method

(Directrix – focus)
Methods of Drawing
Tangents & Normals
To These Curves.
 CONIC SECTIONS
ELLIPSE, PARABOLA AND HYPERBOLA ARE CALLED CONIC SECTIONS
BECAUSE
THESE CURVES APPEAR ON THE SURFACE OF A CONE
WHEN IT IS CUT BY SOME TYPICAL CUTTING PLANES.

OBSERVE
ILLUSTRATIONS
GIVEN BELOW..

Ellipse

Section Plane

ola
Section Plane
Through Generators Hyperbola

rab
Parallel to Axis.

Pa
Section Plane Parallel
to end generator.
 COMMON DEFINITION OF ELLIPSE, PARABOLA & HYPERBOLA:
These are the loci of points moving in a plane such that the ratio of its distances
from a fixed point and a fixed line always remains constant.
The ratio is called ECCENTRICITY. (E)
A) For Ellipse E<1
B) For Parabola E=1
C) For Hyperbola E>1
 ELLIPSE
BY CONCENTRIC CIRCLE METHOD
Problem 1 :-
Draw ellipse by concentric circle method.
Take major axis 100 mm and minor axis 70 mm long. 3
2 4
Steps:
1. Draw both axes as perpendicular bisectors C
of each other & name their ends as shown.
2. Taking their intersecting point as a center, 1 5
3
2 4
draw two concentric circles considering both
as respective diameters.
1 5
3. Divide both circles in 12 equal parts &
name as shown.
A
4. From all points of outer circle draw vertical B
lines downwards and upwards respectively.
5.From all points of inner circle draw 10 6
horizontal lines to intersect those vertical
lines. 10 9 7 6
6. Mark all intersecting points properly as 8
those are the points on ellipse. D
7. Join all these points along with the ends of
both axes in smooth possible curve. It is 9 7
required ellipse.
8
Steps:
ELLIPSE
BY RECTANGLE METHOD
1 Draw a rectangle taking major
and minor axes as sides.
2. In this rectangle draw both Problem 2
axes as perpendicular bisectors
Draw ellipse by Rectangle method.
of each other..
3. For construction, select upper Take major axis 100 mm and minor axis 70 mm long.
left part of rectangle. Divide
vertical small side and horizontal
long side into same number of D 4
4
equal parts.( here divided in four
parts) 3 3
4. Name those as shown..
5. Now join all vertical points 2 2
1,2,3,4, to the upper end of minor
axis. And all horizontal points 1 1
i.e.1,2,3,4 to the lower end of
minor axis. A 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 B
6. Then extend C-1 line upto D-1
and mark that point. Similarly
extend C-2, C-3, C-4 lines up to
D-2, D-3, & D-4 lines.
7. Mark all these points properly
and join all along with ends A
and D in smooth possible curve.
Do similar construction in right C
side part.along with lower half of
the rectangle.Join all points in
smooth curve.
It is required ellipse.
 ELLIPSE
Problem 3:- BY OBLONG METHOD
Draw ellipse by Oblong method.
Draw a parallelogram of 100 mm and 70 mm long
sides with included angle of 75 0.Inscribe Ellipse in it.
STEPS ARE SIMILAR TO
THE PREVIOUS CASE
(RECTANGLE METHOD)
ONLY IN PLACE OF RECTANGLE,
HERE IS A PARALLELOGRAM.
D
4 4

3 3

2 2

1
1

A 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 B

C
PROBLEM 4. ELLIPSE
DRAW RHOMBUS OF 100 MM & 70 MM LONG BY RHOMBUS METHOD
DIAGONALS AND INSCRIBE AN ELLIPSE IN IT.

STEPS: 2
1. Draw rhombus of given
dimensions.
2. Mark mid points of all sides &
name Those A,B,C,& D
3. Join these points to the ends of A B
smaller diagonals.
4. Mark points 1,2,3,4 as four
centers.
5. Taking 1 as center and 1-A 3 4
radius draw an arc AB.
6. Take 2 as center draw an arc CD.
7. Similarly taking 3 & 4 as centers
and 3-D radius draw arcs DA & BC.
D C

1
PROBLEM 5:- POINT F IS 50 MM FROM A LINE AB.A POINT P IS MOVING IN A PLANE ELLIPSE
SUCH THAT THE RATIO OF IT’S DISTANCES FROM F AND LINE AB REMAINS CONSTANT
AND EQUALS TO 2/3 DRAW LOCUS OF POINT P. { ECCENTRICITY = 2/3 } DIRECTRIX-FOCUS METHOD

ELLIPSE
A
STEPS:
1 .Draw a vertical line AB and point F

DIRECTRIX
50 mm from it.
2 .Divide 50 mm distance in 5 parts. 45mm
3 .Name 2nd part from F as V. It is 20mm
and 30mm from F and AB line resp.

3 0 mm
It is first point giving ratio of it’s
distances from F and AB 2/3 i.e 20/30
4 Form more points giving same ratio such
as 30/45, 40/60, 50/75 etc. (vertex) V
5.Taking 45,60 and 75mm distances from F ( focus)
line AB, draw three vertical lines to the
right side of it.
6. Now with 30, 40 and 50mm distances in
compass cut these lines above and below,
with F as center.
7. Join these points through V in smooth
curve.
This is required locus of P.It is an ELLIPSE.

B
 ELLIPSE
TANGENT & NORMAL
TO DRAW TANGENT & NORMAL
TO THE CURVE
ELLIPSE
FROM A GIVEN POINT ( Q ) A

DIRECTRIX
1.JOIN POINT Q TO F. T
2.CONSTRUCT 900 ANGLE WITH
THIS LINE AT POINT F
3.EXTEND THE LINE TO MEET DIRECTRIX
AT T
4. JOIN THIS POINT TO Q AND EXTEND. THIS IS
TANGENT TO ELLIPSE FROM Q (vertex) V
5.TO THIS TANGENT DRAW PERPENDICULAR F ( focus)
LINE FROM Q. IT IS NORMAL TO CURVE. 900
N

Q
N

T
PROBLEM 6: A BALL THROWN IN AIR ATTAINS 100 M HIEGHT
PARABOLA
AND COVERS HORIZONTAL DISTANCE 150 M ON GROUND. RECTANGLE METHOD
Draw the path of the ball (projectile)-

STEPS: 6 6
1.Draw rectangle of above size and
divide it in two equal vertical parts
2.Consider left part for construction. 5 5
Divide height and length in equal
number of parts and name those
1,2,3,4,5& 6 4 4
3.Join vertical 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 to the
top center of rectangle
4.Similarly draw upward vertical
3 3
lines from horizontal1,2,3,4,5
And wherever these lines intersect
previously drawn inclined lines in
sequence Mark those points and 2 2
further join in smooth possible curve.
5.Repeat the construction on right side
rectangle also.Join all in sequence. 1 1
This locus is Parabola.
.

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
Problem no.7: Draw an isosceles triangle of 100 mm long base and PARABOLA
110 mm long altitude.Inscribe a parabola in it by method of tangents. METHOD OF TANGENTS

Solution Steps: C
1. Construct triangle as per the given 14
dimensions. 1
2. Divide it’s both sides in to same no.of 13
2
equal parts. 12
3
3. Name the parts in ascending and 11
descending manner, as shown. 4
10
4. Join 1-1, 2-2,3-3 and so on. 5
5. Draw the curve as shown i.e.tangent to 9
6
all these lines. The above all lines being 8
tangents to the curve, it is called method 7
of tangents. 7 8
6
9
5 10
4 11
3 12
2 13
1
14
A B
PROBLEM 8: Point F is 50 mm from a vertical straight line AB. PARABOLA
Draw locus of point P, moving in a plane such that DIRECTRIX-FOCUS METHOD
it always remains equidistant from point F and line AB.

PARABOLA
SOLUTION STEPS:
1.Locate center of line, perpendicular to A
AB from point F. This will be initial
point P and also the vertex.
2.Mark 5 mm distance to its right side,
name those points 1,2,3,4 and from P1
those
draw lines parallel to AB.
3.Mark 5 mm distance to its left of P and (VERTEX) V
name it 1. F
O 1 2 3 4
4.Take O-1 distance as radius and F as
center draw an arc ( focus)
cutting first parallel line to AB. Name
upper point P1 and lower point P2.
P2
(FP1=O1)

5.Similarly repeat this process by taking

again 5mm to right and left and locate
P3 P4 . B
6.Join all these points in smooth curve.

It will be the locus of P equidistance

from line AB and fixed point F.
 PARABOLA
TANGENT & NORMAL
TO DRAW TANGENT & NORMAL
TO THE CURVE T PARABOLA
FROM A GIVEN POINT ( Q )
A

1.JOIN POINT Q TO F.
2.CONSTRUCT 900 ANGLE WITH
THIS LINE AT POINT F
3.EXTEND THE LINE TO MEET DIRECTRIX
AT T
4. JOIN THIS POINT TO Q AND EXTEND. THIS IS VERTEX V
TANGENT TO THE CURVE FROM Q 900
F
5.TO THIS TANGENT DRAW PERPENDICULAR ( focus)
LINE FROM Q. IT IS NORMAL TO CURVE.
N

Q
B N

T
PROBLEM 9:- POINT F IS 50 MM FROM A LINE AB.A POINT P IS MOVING IN A PLANE HYPERBOLA
SUCH THAT THE RATIO OF IT’S DISTANCES FROM F AND LINE AB REMAINS CONSTANT
AND EQUALS TO 2/3 DRAW LOCUS OF POINT P. { ECCENTRICITY = 2/3 }
DIRECTRIX
FOCUS METHOD

STEPS: A
1 .Draw a vertical line AB and point F
50 mm from it.
2 .Divide 50 mm distance in 5 parts. 30mm
3 .Name 2nd part from F as V. It is 20mm
and 30mm from F and AB line resp.

45m
It is first point giving ratio of it’s

m
distances from F and AB 2/3 i.e 20/30
4 Form more points giving same ratio such
as 30/45, 40/60, 50/75 etc. (vertex)
V
F ( focus)
5.Taking 45,60 and 75mm distances from
line AB, draw three vertical lines to the
right side of it.
6. Now with 30, 40 and 50mm distances in
compass cut these lines above and below,
with F as center.
7. Join these points through V in smooth
curve.
This is required locus of P.It is an ELLIPSE.

B
 HYPERBOLA
TANGENT & NORMAL
TO DRAW TANGENT & NORMAL
TO THE CURVE
FROM A GIVEN POINT ( Q ) A

1.JOIN POINT Q TO F.
2.CONSTRUCT 900 ANGLE WITH THIS LINE AT
POINT F T
3.EXTEND THE LINE TO MEET DIRECTRIX AT T
4. JOIN THIS POINT TO Q AND EXTEND. THIS IS
TANGENT TO CURVE FROM Q
(vertex)
V
F ( focus)
5.TO THIS TANGENT DRAW PERPENDICULAR 900
LINE FROM Q. IT IS NORMAL TO CURVE.
N

N Q

T
 ENGINEERING CURVES
Part-II
(Point undergoing two types of displacements)
INVOLUTE CYCLOID SPIRAL

1. Involute of a circle 1. General Cycloid 1. Spiral of

a)String Length = D One Convolution.

b)String Length > D

c)String Length < D

AND Methods of Drawing

Tangents & Normals
To These Curves.
 DEFINITIONS
CYCLOID:
IT IS A LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE SUPERIORTROCHOID:
PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE WHICH IF THE POINT IN THE DEFINITION
ROLLS ON A STRAIGHT LINE PATH. OF CYCLOID IS OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE

INFERIOR TROCHOID.:
INVOLUTE: IF IT IS INSIDE THE CIRCLE
IT IS A LOCUS OF A FREE END OF A STRING
WHEN IT IS WOUND ROUND A CIRCULAR POLE EPI-CYCLOID
IF THE CIRCLE IS ROLLING ON
ANOTHER CIRCLE FROM OUTSIDE

SPIRAL: HYPO-CYCLOID.
IT IS A CURVE GENERATED BY A POINT IF THE CIRCLE IS ROLLING FROM
WHICH REVOLVES AROUND A FIXED POINT INSIDE THE OTHER CIRCLE,
AND AT THE SAME MOVES TOWARDS IT.
 Problem no 10: Draw Involute of a circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length is equal to the circumference of circle.
Solution Steps:
1) Point or end P of string AP is
exactly D distance away from
A. Means if this string is wound
round the circle, it will P2
completely cover given circle. B
will meet A after winding.
2) Divide D (AP) distance into P3
8 number of equal parts. P1
3) Divide circle also into 8

2 to
number of equal parts. 3
to

p
4) Name after A, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
up to 8 on D line AP as well as p

op
on circle (in anticlockwise

1t
direction).
5) To radius C-1, C-2, C-3 up to
C-8 draw tangents (from P4 4 to p 4
1,2,3,4,etc to circle). 3
6) Take distance 1 to P in 5
compass and mark it on tangent 2

op
from point 1 on circle (means 6
one division less than distance

5t
1
AP). 7

6 to p
7
7) Name this point P1
P5 to A8 P
8) Take 2-B distance in p P8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
compass and mark it on the P7
tangent from point 2. Name it P6 
point P2.
9) Similarly take 3 to P, 4 to P, D
5 to P up to 7 to P distance in
compass and mark on
respective tangents and locate
P3, P4, P5 up to P8 (i.e. A)
 INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
Problem 11: Draw Involute of a circle.
String length MORE than D
String length is MORE than the circumference of circle.

Solution Steps: P2
In this case string length is more
than  D.
But remember!
Whatever may be the length of P3 P1
string, mark  D distance

2 to
horizontal i.e.along the string
3

p
and divide it in 8 number of to
equal parts, and not any other p

op
distance. Rest all steps are same

1t
as previous INVOLUTE. Draw
the curve completely.

P4 4 to p 4
3
5

op
2
6

5t
1
P5 7
8
7 P

6 to p
to p8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
p
P7
165 mm
P6 (more than D)
D
Problem 12: Draw Involute of a circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length is LESS than the circumference of circle. String length LESS than D

Solution Steps: P2
In this case string length is Less
than  D.
But remember!
Whatever may be the length of P3
P1
string, mark  D distance

2 to p
horizontal i.e.along the string
and divide it in 8 number of 3
equal parts, and not any other to
distance. Rest all steps are same
p

op
as previous INVOLUTE. Draw
the curve completely.

1t
P4 4 to p 4
3
5
2

op
6

5t

6 to p
7 1
P5 to 7
8 P
p
P7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
P6
150 mm
(Less than D)

D
 PROBLEM 13 : A POLE IS OF A SHAPE OF HALF HEXABON AND SEMICIRCLE.
ASTRING IS TO BE WOUND HAVING LENGTH EQUAL TO THE POLE PERIMETER
INVOLUTE
DRAW PATH OF FREE END P OF STRING WHEN WOUND COMPLETELY. OF
(Take hex 30 mm sides and semicircle of 60 mm diameter.) COMPOSIT SHAPED POLE

SOLUTION STEPS:
Draw pole shape as per
dimensions. P1
Divide semicircle in 4
parts and name those
P
along with corners of
P2
hexagon.
Calculate perimeter
length.

1 to P
Show it as string AP.
On this line mark 30mm

2
to
from A

P
Mark and name it 1

A to
Mark D/2 distance on it
from 1
And dividing it in 4 parts P3
name 2,3,4,5. 3 to P 3
Mark point 6 on line 30 4
2
mm from 5
Now draw tangents from
5 1
all points of pole
oP

and proper lengths as

6 A
4t

done in all previous

5 to P
involute’s problems and 6t
oP 1 2 3 4 5 6 P
complete the curve. D/2
P4
P6
P5
STEPS: Involute
DRAW INVOLUTE AS USUAL.
Method of Drawing
MARK POINT Q ON IT AS DIRECTED. Tangent & Normal
JOIN Q TO THE CENTER OF CIRCLE C.
CONSIDERING CQ DIAMETER, DRAW
A SEMICIRCLE AS SHOWN.
INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE

l a
MARK POINT OF INTERSECTION OF

rm
No
THIS SEMICIRCLE AND POLE CIRCLE
AND JOIN IT TO Q. Q
THIS WILL BE NORMAL TO INVOLUTE.
Ta
n ge
DRAW A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLE TO nt
THIS LINE FROM Q.

IT WILL BE TANGENT TO INVOLUTE.

4
3
5
C 2
6
1
7
8
P
P8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


D
 PROBLEM 14: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE CYCLOID
WHICH ROLLS ON STRAIGHT LINE PATH. Take Circle diameter as 50 mm

p4
4
p3 p5
3 5

C p2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 p6 C
8
2 6

p1
1 p7
7
P p8

D

Solution Steps:
1) From center C draw a horizontal line equal to D distance.
2) Divide D distance into 8 number of equal parts and name them C1, C2, C3__ etc.
3) Divide the circle also into 8 number of equal parts and in clock wise direction, after P name 1, 2, 3 up to 8.
4) From all these points on circle draw horizontal lines. (parallel to locus of C)
5) With a fixed distance C-P in compass, C1 as center, mark a point on horizontal line from 1. Name it P.
6) Repeat this procedure from C2, C3, C4 upto C8 as centers. Mark points P2, P3, P4, P5 up to P8 on the
horizontal lines drawn from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
7) Join all these points by curve. It is Cycloid.
STEPS:
DRAW CYCLOID AS USUAL. CYCLOID
MARK POINT Q ON IT AS DIRECTED.
Method of Drawing
WITH CP DISTANCE, FROM Q. CUT THE Tangent & Normal
POINT ON LOCUS OF C AND JOIN IT TO Q.

FROM THIS POINT DROP A PERPENDICULAR

ON GROUND LINE AND NAME IT N

JOIN N WITH Q.THIS WILL BE NORMAL TO

CYCLOID.

DRAW A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLE TO

THIS LINE FROM Q.

la
Norm
IT WILL BE TANGENT TO CYCLOID.
CYCLOID

Q
Tang
e nt

CP
C C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

P N
D
 Problem 15: Draw a spiral of one convolution. Take distance PO 40 mm.
SPIRAL
IMPORTANT APPROACH FOR CONSTRUCTION!
FIND TOTAL ANGULAR AND TOTAL LINEAR DISPLACEMENT
AND DIVIDE BOTH IN TO SAME NUMBER OF EQUAL PARTS.

P2
Solution Steps 3 1
P1
1. With PO radius draw a circle
and divide it in EIGHT parts. P3
Name those 1,2,3,4, etc. up to 8
2 .Similarly divided line PO also in
EIGHT parts and name those
4 P4 O P
1,2,3,-- as shown. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
3. Take o-1 distance from op line P7
and draw an arc up to O1 radius
P5 P6
vector. Name the point P1
4. Similarly mark points P2, P3, P4
up to P8
5 7
And join those in a smooth curve.
It is a SPIRAL of one convolution.
6
Problem 16 SPIRAL
Point P is 80 mm from point O. It starts moving towards O and reaches it in two of
revolutions around.it Draw locus of point P (To draw a Spiral of TWO convolutions).
two convolutions
IMPORTANT APPROACH FOR CONSTRUCTION!
FIND TOTAL ANGULAR AND TOTAL LINEAR DISPLACEMENT
AND DIVIDE BOTH IN TO SAME NUMBER OF EQUAL PARTS.

2,10

P2
3,11
P1 1,9
SOLUTION STEPS: P3
Total angular displacement here
is two revolutions And P10 P9
Total Linear displacement here
is distance PO. P11 16 13 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 P
Just divide both in same parts i.e. 4,12 P4 P8 8,16
Circle in EIGHT parts. P12 P15
( means total angular displacement
P13 P14
in SIXTEEN parts)
Divide PO also in SIXTEEN parts.
Rest steps are similar to the previous P7
P5
problem.
5,13 P6 7,15

6,14