Horizontal Curve

Curve Ranging

In the design of roads, railways, or canals, curves are designed to provide smooth
transition or gradual change in direction thus reducing the effect of inertia forces. High
speed vehicles are susceptible to huge amount of centrifugal force which may cause them
to skid or overturn. Providing a transition will lessen this force.

In highway design, curves are deliberately provided even on a straight route to break
the monotony in driving which may cause serious accidents
Horizontal Curves
➢ A horizontal curve is provided at the point where two straight lines intersect in horizontal
plane.
➢ Circular in nature.
➢ These curves are on a horizontal viewed from the top.

Types of Horizontal Curves:

1. Simple Curve
2. Compound Curve
3. Reverse Curve
4. Spiral/Transition Curve
Simple Curve
Simple circular curves consist of a
circular arc of radius R connecting two
tangent lines T at the tangent point called
Point of Intersection (P.I.) at the specific
Angle of intersection I. The curves starts
at the Point of Commencement (P.C.) and
ends at the Point of Tangency (P.T.)
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
External Distance, E
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 sec −1
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
External Distance, E
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 sec −1
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
External Distance, E
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 sec −1
2
Long Chord, C
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝐶 = 2𝑅 sin
2
Tangent Distance, T
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝑇 = 𝑅 tan
2
Middle Ordinate, M
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑅 1 − cos
2
External Distance, E
Consider right triangle PI-PT-O
𝐼
𝐸 = 𝑅 sec −1
2
Long Chord, C
Consider right triangle Q-PT-O
𝐼
𝐶 = 2𝑅 sin
2
DEGREE OF CURVE
A value that measures the sharpness of the circular curve. It is based on either of the two
basis:
Arc Basis Chord Basis
Assumes that each degree (of Assumes that each degree (of
central angle) subtends an arc of central angle) subtends an chord
20 meters (or 1 station, 100 ft in of 20 meters (or 1 station, 100 ft in
the English System) the English System)

10
1145.916 𝑅=
𝑅= 𝐷
𝐷 sin
2
Example No. 1
A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a degree of curve of 6°.

1. Find the nearest distance from the midpoint of the curve to the point of intersection
of the tangents.
2. Compute the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the midpoint of the long
chord joining the point of curvature and point of tangency.
Example No. 2
A simple curve has an angle of intersection of 45°, and a radius of 200m. The point of
intersection is at STA 2+982.84.

1. Compute the stationing of P.T.

2. Compute the deflection angle of STA 2+937.7 from PC.
3. Compute the right angle offset from STA 2+937.7 on the curve to tangent through PC
4. Compute the degree of curve using chord basis
Example No. 3
A curve of a diversion road has a tangent AB with direction due north and tangent BC
bearing N 70° E. Point A is at PC whose stationing is 12+600. The degree of curve is 5°.

1. Compute the long chord of the curve

2. Compute the stationing of point D on the curve along the line joining the center of the
curve which makes an angle of 40° (at E) with the tangent line passing through the PC
3. What is the length of the line from D to E?