2 Simple Curve (1)
2 Simple Curve (1)
ENGINEERING SURVEYS
BY: ENGR. AIAN JALECO JR
SIMPLE CURVE
Simple circular curves consist of a circular arc of radius R connecting two tangent
lines T at the tangent point called the Point of Intersection I. The curve starts at
the Point of Commencement (PC) and ends at the Point of Tangency (PT).
PI
T T
PT
PC
R R
O
SIMPLE CURVE •PC = Point of curvature. It is the
beginning of curve.
PI
•PT = Point of tangency. It is the end
of curve.
T T
•PI = Point of intersection of the
PT
PC
L/2 L/2
tangents. Also called vertex
•T = Length of tangent
from PC to PI and from PI to PT. It
R R
is known as subtangent.
O
SIMPLE CURVE Length of Tangent, T
PI
I
T E T
m
PT
PC
L/2 L/2 External Distance, E
R R
I
O
SIMPLE CURVE Middle Ordinate, m
PI
I
T E T
m
PT
PC
L/2 L/2
O
SIMPLE CURVE Length of Curve,
PI
I
T E T
m
PT
Alternative formula using ratio
PC
L/2 L/2 and proportion
R R
I
O
SIMPLE CURVE Degree of the Curve, D
The degree of curve is the central angle
PI subtended by an arc (arc basis) or chord (chord
I basis) of one station. It will define the sharpness
T E T of the curve. In English system, 1 station is equal
to 100 ft. In SI, 1 station is equal to 20 m
m
PT
PC Arc Basis
L/2 L/2
R R
I Chord Basis
O
SIMPLE CURVE
Example 1 – A simple curve has a central angle of 36° and a
degree of curve of 6°.