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3 Notes THREE VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are used to connect intersecting gradients smoothly and safely. They provide a gradual change in slope between gradients. The key requirements for vertical curves are a constant rate of change in gradient, uniform centrifugal force, and adequate sight distances. Vertical curves are either convex or concave depending on the intersecting gradients and are designed using the length and algebraic difference of the gradients based on the desired design speed.

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78 views11 pages

3 Notes THREE VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are used to connect intersecting gradients smoothly and safely. They provide a gradual change in slope between gradients. The key requirements for vertical curves are a constant rate of change in gradient, uniform centrifugal force, and adequate sight distances. Vertical curves are either convex or concave depending on the intersecting gradients and are designed using the length and algebraic difference of the gradients based on the desired design speed.

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fosuohenefrankjnr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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VERTICAL CURVES

Vertical curves are required at the intersection of different road/rail gradients. They are
placed so that the rate of change of vertical acceleration is gradual (for safety and
comfort) and so that oncoming vehicles are visible for a safe distance. Curves may be
convex (summit) or concave (valley or sag). The requirements to be met by a vertical
curve are:

a. constant change of gradient;


b. uniform rate of increase of centrifugal force;
c. adequate sighting distances.

Grades are selected which provide a balance between cut and fill in the construction, and
should also insure correct drainage of the road surface. Gradient sign convention is as
follows: gradients rising to the right are positive; gradients falling to the right are
negative. Gradients are specified as a percentage The left-hand gradient is designated as
p%, the right-hand q%. Algebraic difference of gradients is always (p - q)%.

The Shape of a Vertical Curve

Vertical curves are used to connect intersecting gradients (straights) in the vertical plane.
Whenever roads or railways change gradient.

A vertical curve is required

(i) To take traffic smoothly from one gradient to the other (i.e. to provide smooth
transition from one gradient to the other).

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(ii) To provide adequate sight distances (or vision) for safe stopping at a given
design speed.

Specifies the elevations of points along a roadway


Elevations are determined by the need to provide proper drainage and driver safety
and comfort
A primary concern of vertical alignment is to establish a transition between two
roadway grades by means of a vertical curve

When the two gradients are from a hill, the curve is called a Summit (or Hogging Crest)
curve and when the gradients are from a valley, a Sag or valley curve is produced.

G2 = final grade in %
G1 = initial grade in % and
L = length of the curve.

SUMMARY OF VERTICAL CURVE DESIGN

PROBLEM: To design a vertical curve to fit between two gradients for a particular
design speed,

(i) Calculate A (the grade angle = algebraic difference of the gradients).


(ii) Extract the appropriate K-value from design standard tables for the design
speed and road type.
(iii) Use the K-value to calculated the length (L) of vertical curve, L = KA
(iv) Compute offsets and levels in the usual way, ie, the formula for y is used
together with the reduced level of the entry tangent point to calculate the
reduced levels of points on the curve.

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K = horizontal distance required to effect a 1% change in slope

Setting Out Vertical Curves Example

Design a vertical curve 200 metres long connecting a rising gradient of 2% with a falling gradient of 1.33%
which meet in a summit of RL 30.35m, and chainage 2752 metres. Give offsets at 40 metre intervals.

Chainage of A = 2752 - 100 = 2652m.

Chainage of B = 2752 + 100 = 2852m.

RL of A = 30.35 - （2 x 100/100） = 28.35m.

RL of B = 30.35 - （1.33 x 100/100） = 29.02m.

Distance from A of the highest point

g l
x
( g1  g2 )

2  200
x  120.12m
(2  1.33)

Height at distance x (A taken as datum)

 2 120.12    2  1.33 120.12 


2
y  
  
 100   200  200 

 1.20m

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