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Fundamentals of Surveying Location:

Laboratory Fieldwork No: __

LAY OUT OF A SIMPLE CURVE

A. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the fieldwork, you will be able to:
1. Familiarize with the elements of a simple curve.
2. Calculate the missing element of a simple curve.
3. Layout a simple curve.

B. LEARNING CONTENT
CURVES
In roads, highways and railways, a curve is provided for smooth or gradual change
in direction due to the nature of terrain and cultural features. In highway practice, it is
recommended to provide curves deliberately on straight route to break the monotony in
driving on long straight route to avoid accidents.
The horizontal curve can be a simple circular curve, a compound curve or a reversed
curve. For a smooth transition between straight road and a curve, a transition or easement
curve is provided.
SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE

SIMPLE CURVE

Figure 13-1
 Point of Intersection
𝑷𝑰
𝑰 Central Angle

Back Tangent 𝑬
𝑻 𝑻 Forward Tangent
𝑳/𝟐 𝑳 𝑳/𝟐
𝑜′′
𝑴
𝑷𝑪 𝑪/𝟐 𝑪/𝟐 𝑷𝑻
𝑪
Point of Curvature Point of Tangency
𝑜′

𝑹 𝑹
𝑰/𝟐
𝑰

Elements of a Simple
Curve
Figure 13-2

𝐼
Tangent Distance, 𝑇 𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛
2
𝐼
External Distance, 𝐸 𝐸 = 𝑅 (sec − 1)
2
𝐼
Middle Ordinate, 𝑀 𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 − cos )
2
𝐼
Chord Length, 𝐶 𝐶 = 2𝑅 sin
2
20𝐼
Curve Length, 𝐿 𝐿=
𝐷

As shown in the figure 13-2, a simple curve is composed of the PC (Point of

Curvature) or the start of the curve and PT (Point of Tangency) or the end of the curve. PI
(Point of Intersection) is the point where the two straights or tangents intersects and the
angle of deflection is the I or the central angle. The arc generated from PC to PT is the
length of the curve (L) and the straight-line connecting PC and PT is the chord length C. R
is the radius of the simple circular curve.
 The distance from PI to O” is the external distance E. The distance from O’ to O”
is the middle ordinate M. Formulas for solving the elements of a simple curve are shown
above. Succeeding pages will show the derivations of these formulas.

DERIVATION OF FORMULAS

𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
Consider triangle 0-PC-PI.
𝐼 𝑅
cos =
𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑷𝑰 2 𝐸+𝑅
𝑅
𝐼 𝑇 𝐸+𝑅 =
tan = 𝑻 𝐼
2 𝑅 cos
2
𝑇 𝑅
𝑅= 𝐸= −𝑅
𝐼 𝑷𝑪 𝐼
tan cos
2 2
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒:
𝐼 𝑬+𝑹
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan 1 1
2 𝐸 = 𝑅ቌ − 1ቍ sec 𝜃 =
𝐼 cos 𝜃
cos
𝑹 2
𝐼
𝑰/𝟐 𝐸 = 𝑅 (sec − 1)
2

Consider triangle 0-PC-0’.

𝑴𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑪/𝟐 𝑶′

𝑷𝑪 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉

𝐶
𝐼 𝑅−𝑀 𝐼
cos = sin = 2
2 𝑅 2 𝑅
𝑹−𝑴
𝐼 𝐶 𝐼
𝑅 − 𝑀 = 𝑅 cos 𝑹
2 = 𝑅 sin
2 2
𝑰/𝟐
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 − 𝑅 cos 𝐼
2 𝐶 = 2𝑅 sin
2
𝐼 𝑶
𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 − cos )
2
 Consider triangle 0-PC-0’.
𝑷𝑰
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝑰

𝑬
Back 𝑻 𝑻 Forward
𝑳
Tangent 𝑳/𝟐 𝑳/𝟐 Tangent

𝑴
𝑷𝑪 𝑪/𝟐 𝑪 𝑪/𝟐 𝑷𝑻

𝑹 𝑹
𝑰/𝟐
Using Arc Formula, 𝑰
𝑆 = 𝑅𝜃

𝜋
𝐿 = 𝑅𝐼 ቀ ቁ
180° 𝑶

𝑠 = 20 𝑚
Using Ratio and Proportion,

𝐿 20
=
𝐼 𝐷
𝑅 𝐷 𝑅
20𝐼
𝐿=
𝐷
0
Degree of Curve
Arc Basis
𝑠 = 20 𝑚
𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑅

𝑅 𝐷 𝑅
𝜃 = 360°
0
By proportion: 𝑅
𝑠 𝐶
=
𝐷 𝜃
20 2𝜋𝑅
=
𝐷 360
20ሺ360ሻ
𝐷=
2𝜋𝑅
1145.916
𝐷=
𝑅

Chord Basis 𝑥 = 20 𝑚

A B C
𝑥/2 𝑥/2

𝑅 𝐷/2 𝐷/2 𝑅

0
Consider triangle ABO.
𝐷 𝑥/2 10
sin = 𝐷 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1
2 𝑅 𝑅
𝐷 10
sin =
2 𝑅
10
𝑅=
𝐷
sin 2
SAMPLE PROBLEM
The chainage or station of the intersection point of two straights or tangents is 1060
m and the angle of intersection is 120°. The radius of the curve is 570 m. Calculate the
tangent length, curve length, chord length, stationing of the PC and stationing of the PT.
Lay out the simple curve.
Given:
Sta PI = 1060 m or 1 + 060 m
θ = 120°
R = 570 m
Find: T, L, C, Sta PC and Sta PT

Solution:

Solve for I, Solve for L,

𝐼 𝜋
𝐿 = 𝑅𝐼 ቀ ቁ
𝐼 = 180° − 120° 180°
𝜋
𝐿 = ሺ570ሻሺ60°ሻ ቀ ቁ
𝐼 = 60° 180°
𝐿 = 596.90 𝑚
Solve for T,
Solve for C,
𝐼 𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐶 = 2𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛
2 2
60° 60°
𝑇 = ሺ570ሻ tan 𝐶 = 2ሺ570ሻ 𝑠𝑖𝑛
2 2
𝑇 = 329.09 𝑚
𝐶 = 570 𝑚

Solve for Sta PC, Solve for Sta PT,

𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐼 − 𝑇 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿
𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = ሺ1 + 060ሻ − 329.09 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = ሺ0 + 730.91ሻ − 596.90
𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 0 + 730.91 𝑚 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 1 + 327.81 𝑚
 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐼 1 + 060 𝑚
PI
𝐼 = 60°
𝑇 = 329.09 𝑚 𝑇 = 329.09 𝑚
𝜃 = 120°
𝐿 = 596.90 𝑚

PC PT 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 1 + 327.81 𝑚
𝐶 = 570 𝑚
𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 0 + 730.91 𝑚

𝐼 𝑅 = 570 𝑚
= 30°
2

𝐼 = 60°

C. APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT
Metric Scale, Calculator, Pencil, Triangle, Protractor, Compass
D. SAFETY GEARS
None

E. PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Why is there a need to design a simple curve in road intersections?
2. How is a curve designed?

F. PROCEDURE
1. Below are problems to be solved using the concepts of a simple curve.
2. Read each problem carefully.
3. Use a short bond paper (8.5” x 11”).
4. Use appropriate scale to draw figures, straight edges or ruler, protractor and compass.
5. Keep papers neat and clean of unnecessary marks.
6. Problem
Case 1: Two tangents intersect at a chainage of 1250.50 m having a central angle of
60°.The radius of the curve is 375 m. Calculate the following:
a. Curve length
b. Tangent distance
c. Chord length
 d. External distance
e. Middle ordinate
f. Stationing of the PC
g. Stationing of the PT
Case 2: A simple curve of 250 m radius is to be set out between two tangents having
central angle of 45°20′, and the stationing of the point of intersection as 112 + 010 m.
Calculate the following:
a. Curve length
b. Tangent distance
c. Chord length
d. External distance
e. Middle ordinate
f. Stationing of the PC
g. Stationing of the PT

G. COMPUTATIONS
1. Stationing
To determine stationing of the PC and PT when stationing of PI is given, use:

a. 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐼 − 𝑇
b. 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝐶 + 𝐿
2. Radius
Radius can be found by using the formulas:
1145.916
a. 𝑅 = 𝐷
10
b. 𝑅 = 𝐷
sin
2
𝑇
c. 𝑅 = 𝐼
tan
2
3. Tangent Distance
Use:
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
4. Curve Length
Use:
𝜋
𝐿 = 𝑅𝐼 ቀ ቁ
180°
 20𝐼
𝐿=
𝐷
5. Chord length
Use:
𝐼
𝐶 = 2𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛
2
6. External distance
Use:
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 (sec − 1)
2

7. Middle ordinate
Use:
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 − cos )
2

H. OBSERVATION
Record your observations below.
I. CONCLUSION
Formulate your conclusion below.
J. LEARNING ASSESSMENT
Solve the problem:
A 200-m radius simple curve is created from the tangents with bearings of
𝑁 20° 𝐸 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 80° 𝐸, respectively. Determine T, E, M, L and C of the simple curve.
Determine the also the stationing of PT if PC is at Sta 1+063 m.
K. POST-LAB QUESTIONS
1. How is the deflection angle computed if the angle of intersection of two tangent is
given?
2. How is the stationing of PT determined if the stationing of the PC is known?

L. CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (SE) EFFECTIVE QUESTIONING
 How is the degree of a curve computed?

M. SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENT LEARNING

Classroom Assessment Technique (CAT) 3-2-1
Three things you learned:
1.
2.
3.
Two things that you would like to learn more about:
1.
2.
One question you still have:
1.