VERTICAL CURVES
Definition
Vertical curves are curves that are used to connect two straight lines
(gradients) in the vertical plane.
Vertical curves /parabola curves can either be sag or summit (crest)
curves.
Vertical Curves
Gradients are represented by percentages; +ve for upgrade/rising
gradient and –ve for downgrade/falling gradient.
For example, an upgrade of 1 in 50 = 2 in 100 = +2%.
A downgrade of 1 in 40 = 2.5 in 100 = -2.5%.
The Angle A (T2IJ) is called the grade angle and represents the change
in grade through which the vertical curve passes.
Approximations used in Vertical Curves Computation
These Vertical computations can
mathematically be proven for minimum
gradients see figure below
Distance T1D = T1BT2 = T1C T2 = T1I + I T2
The curve is of equal length each side of I i.e.
T1C =CT2 = T1I = I T2 = L/2
The curve bisects BI at C therefore BC = CI =
Y and is referred to as the centre offset
Offsets from each gradient are equal at equal
distances each side of I
i.e. y1= GH; y2 = EF
Distances along the curve are considered
horizontal and all offsets are considered as
vertical distances
Approximations used in Vertical Curves Computation
Design Factors in Vertical Curves
The factors considered in design of Vertical Curves include;
i. Rate of change of grade/gradient
ii. Sight distance on summits curves
iii. Headlight sight distance on sags curves
i. Rate of change of grade/gradient
ii. Sight Distance on Summit Curves
Sight distance is defined as the length of road ahead that is visible to
the driver.
It is the main consideration in road design.
Sight distance on summit curves must be greater than the stopping
distance i.e. the minimum distance required to bring the vehicle to rest.
ii. Sight Distance on Summit Curves
The stopping distance depends on the following:
Speed of the vehicle
Braking efficiency
Gradient
Coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road
Condition of the road
Driver’s reaction time etc
Calculation of curve lengths
Calculation of curve length
Calculation of curve length
iii. Headlight Distance on Sags
It is the main design factor on sag curves.
The headlight beam (horizontal length (S) is normally put at 0.6 m above the road
surface with the beam tilted up at 1º to the horizontal.
iii. Headlight Distance on Sags
iii. Headlight Distance on Sags
Similarly when S < L, it as shown in Figure below
PASSING A CURVE THROUGH A POINT ON KNOWN LEVEL
To ensure sufficient clearance at a specific point along the curve, it
may be necessary to pass the curve through a point of known level.
For example, if a bridge or road furniture intrude into the envelope of
visibility, it would be necessary to design the curve to prevent this.
This technique is demonstrated using the example below.
Example
Example
A downgrade of 4% meets a rising grade of 5% in a sag curve. At the start of the curve the level is
123.06 m with chainage being 3420 m, while at point D of chainage 3620 m there is an overpass with
an underside level of 127.06 m.
If the designed curve is to afford a clearance of 5 m at this point, calculate the required length.
Solution
Figure : Curve through a point of known level
Solution
TO COMPUTE THE CHAINAGE OF THE HIGHEST OR THE LOWEST
POINT ON THE CURVE
The position and level of the highest or lowest point on the vertical
curve is frequently required for drainage design.
Referring to Figure 4 above , if one considers the curve as a series of
straight lines, then at T1 the grade of the line is −4% gradually
changing throughout the length of the curve until at T2 it is +5%.
There has thus been a change of grade of 9% in distance L.
At the lowest point the grade will be horizontal, having just passed
through −4% from T1.
TO COMPUTE THE CHAINAGE OF THE HIGHEST OR THE LOWEST
POINT ON THE CURVE
Therefore, the chainage of the lowest point from the start of the curve
is, by simple proportion.
VERTICAL CURVE COMPUTATIONS
EXAMPLE
100m curve is to connect a downgrade of 0.75% to an upgrade of 0.25%. If the level
of the intersection point of the two grades is 150 m, calculate:
Curve levels at 20-m intervals, showing the second difference (d2y/dl2), check on the
computations.
The position and level of the lowest point on the curve.
Solution procedure
(i) Find the value of the central offset Y.
(ii) Calculate offsets.
(iii) Calculate levels along the gradients.
(iv) Add or subtract offset from calculated levels along the gradient to get curve
levels
VERTICAL CURVE COMPUTATIONS
To find value of central offset Y
VERTICAL CURVE COMPUTATIONS
VERTICAL CURVE COMPUTATIONS
VERTICAL CURVE COMPUTATIONS
VERTICAL CURVE SETTING OUT DATA
Vertical Curve Radius
The vertical acceleration experienced when travelling on a vertical
curve is (0.66V 2/R) ms-2 and the maximum value should not exceed
0.46 ms-2.
Therefore for any design speed V, tables may be used to obtain the
corresponding minimum radius R.
Alternatively, due to shallow gradients involved in vertical curve design,
the parabola may be approximated to a circular curve.
In a circular curve T1T2 = 2Rsin (θ/2).
As L ≈ T1T2 and θ ≈ A%.
sin (θ/2) ≈ (θ/2) ≈ A/200
Therefore, in a vertical curve L ≈ 2R (A/200)
THE
END
