Horizontal Alignment

Problems
Justo Khanna Book
Question 13:
Calculate the values of ruling minimum and absolute minimum radius of horizontal
curve of a national highway in plain terrain. Assume ruling design speed and minimum
design speed values as 100 and 80kmph

Solution:
Ruling minimum radius is calculated for ruling design speed of 100 kmph with
the minimum values of e = 0.07 and f = 0.15
V2 1002
Rruling = = = 357.9 m say 360
127(e+f) 127(0.07+0.15)
The absolute minimum radius is calculated from the minimum design speed of
V’ = 80 kmph
802
Rmin = = 229.1m say 230 m
127(0.07+0.15)
Therefore provide ruling minimum radius of 360m and absolute minimum
radius of 230m.
Question 14:
Calculate extra widening required for a pavement of width 7m on
a horizontal curve of radius 250m if the longest wheel base of
vehicle is expected on the road is 7.0m. Design speed is 70 kmph.

Solution
Extra widening required We = Wm + Wps
𝑛𝑙 2 𝑉
= +
2𝑅 9.5 𝑅
Hence, n=2 ( two lanes for pavement width of 7.0m)
l= 7 m
R = 250m
V = 70 kmph
2 × 72 70
We = + = 0.662𝑚
2 × 250 9.5 250
Question 15:
Find the total width of a pavement on a horizontal curve for a new
national highway to be aligned along a rolling terrain with ruling
minimum radius. Assume necessary data.

Solution:
Assume the following data :
National highway on rolling terrain, ruling design speed, V = 80 kmph
Normal pavement width, W = 7.0m
Number of lanes n =2
Wheel base of truck l = 6 m
Maximum value of superelevation e = 0.07 and skid resistance f = 0.15
V2 802
Rruling = = = 229m, say 230m
127(e+f) 127(0.07+0.15)
nl2 V 2×62 80
Extra Widening We = + = + = 0.712m
2R 9.5 R 2×230 9.5 250
Total pavement width on the curve = W+We = 7.0+ 0.71 = 7.71m
Question 16:
Calculate the length of transition curve and the shift using the
following data:
Design speed = 60 kmph
Radius of circular curve = 220m
Allowable rate of super-elevation ( pavement rotated about the
centre line) = 1 in 150
Pavement width including extra widening = 7.5m

Solution:
(a) Length of transition curve Ls as per allowable rate of centrifugal
acceleration C :
Allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
80 80
C= = = 0.57 m/s 3
75+V 75+65
This value is between 0.5 and 0.8 and hence accepted.
0.0215V3 0.0215 × 653
Ls = = = 47.1 m
CR 0.57×220
(b) Length Ls by allowable rate of introduction of super-elevation E:
V2 652
Super-elvation rate e = = = 0.085
225R 225×220
As this value is greater than the maximum allowable rate of 0.07, limit the
value of e = 0.07. Check the safety against transverse skidding for the design
speed of 65 kmph:
V2 652
f= −e= − 0.07
127R 127×220
f = 0.15 – 0.07 = 0.08
As this value of f is less than the allowable value of 0.15, the superelevation
rate of 0.07 is safe for design speed for the design speed of 65kmph
Total width of the pavement at the curve, B = 7.5m
Total raise of outer edge of pavement with respect to the centre line
E eB 0.07×7.5
= = = = 0.26 m
2 2 2
Rate of introduction of super-elevation, 1 in N = 1 in 150
EN
Ls = = 0.26 × 150 = 39m
2
(c) Minimum value of Ls as per IRC
2.7V 2 2.7 × 652
= = = 51.9m
R 220
Adopt the highest value of the three i.e. , 51.9 or say 52m as the design length
of transition curve.
Ls2 522
Shift S = = = 0.51m
24R 24×220
Question 17:
A national highway passing through rolling terrain in heavy
rainfall area has a horizontal curve radius 500 m. Design the length
of transition curve assuming suitable data.

Solution:
For a national highway on rolling terrain, the following data may be assumed
as per practice
Design Speed, V = 80 kmph
Normal pavement width, W = 7.0m
Allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration,(range of value 0.5 to 0.8)
80 80
C= = = 0.52
75+𝑉 75+80
As the value of C is between 0.5 to 0.8 it is accepted for design.
Allowable rate of introduction of superelevation = 1 in 150, pavement to be
rotated about the inner edge to effect better drainage in heavy rainfall area
(a) Length of transition curve by rate of change of centrifugal acceleration:
v3 0.0215V3
Ls = = = 42.3m
CR 0.52×500
(b) Length of transition curve by the rate of introduction of superelevation:
V2 802
e= = = 0.057 < 0.07, ok
225R 225×500
Extra widening at curve (assuming two lanes and wheel base of 6 m)
nl2 V 2×62 80
We = + = + = 0.45m
2R 9.5 R 2×500 9.5 500
Total width of pavement, B = 7.0+ 0.45 = 7.45 m
Ls = 7.45 × 0.057 × 150= 63.7m
(c) Check for minimum value of Ls
2.7V2 2.7×802
Ls = = = 34.6 m
R 500
Adopt the highest of the above three values = 63.7m say 64 m
Therefore, the design length of transition curve is 64 m
Question 18:
While aligning a highway in a built up are, it was necessary to
provide a horizontal circular curve of radius 325m.
Design the following geometric features:
(i) Super elevation
(ii) Extra widening of pavement
(iii) Length of transition curve
Data available are:
Design speed = 65 kmph , Length of wheel base of largest truck =
6m , Pavement width = 10.5 m

Solution :
(i) Super elevation rate, e
From practical considerations of mixed traffic conditions, superelevation to
fully counteract centrifugal force should be designed with 75% of design
speed. Here radius R = 325 m
𝑉2 652
e= = = 0.058 < 0.07, Safe for the design speed.
225𝑅 225 × 325
(ii) Extra widening of pavement, We
𝑛𝑙 2 𝑉
We = +
2𝑅 9.5 𝑅
N = 3 as the pavement width is 10.5 m
Wheel base = 6m
3×62 65
We = + = 0.166 + 0.380
2×325 9.5 325
We = 0.546, say 0.55m
(iii) Length of transition curve L,
(a) By rate of change of centrifugal acceleration C is given by:
10 80 𝑚
C= = = 0.57
75+𝑉 75+65 𝑠3
As the value is between 0.5 and 0.8, accepted for design
0.0215𝑉 3 0.0215×653
Ls = = = 31.9𝑚
𝐶𝑅 0.57×325
(b) By rate of introduction of superelevation, E: Total superelevation
E = B×e
Total pavement width including extra widening on curve,
B = W+We = 10.5+0.55 = 11.05 m
Superelevation rate, e = 0.058
E = 11.05 × 0.058 = 0.64m
Assuming that the superelevation is provided by rotating about the centre line,
the total superelevation to be distributed along the length of transition curve
=E/2. The rate of introduction of superelevation may be taken as 1 in 100,
being built up area.
0.64
Length of transition curve Ls = × 100 = 32m
2
(c) By IRC formula, the minimum length
2.7V2 2.7×652
Ls = = = 35.1m
R 325
Adopting highest of the above three values, length of transition curve
Ls = 35m
Question 19:
A state highway passing through a rolling terrain has a horizontal
curve of radius equal to the ruling minimum radius
(i) Design all the geometric features of this road
(ii) Specify the minimum set back distance from the centre line of
the two lane highway on the inner side of the curve up to which the
buildings etc. obstructing the vision should not be constructed so
that intermediate sight distance is available throughout the circular
curve. Assume the length of circular curve greater than the sight
distance.

Solution:
The various geometric elements to be designed are
• Ruling minimum radius
• Super elevation
• Extra widening
• Length of transition curve
• SSD, ISD and set back distance
(a) Ruling minimum radius of curve for ruling design speed of 80 kmph
𝑉2 802
R ruling = = = 229𝑚, 𝑠𝑎𝑦 230𝑚
127(𝑒+𝑓) 127(0.07+0.15)
(b) Design value of superelevation:
𝑉2 802
e= = = 0.124
225𝑅 225×230
As the value is higher than maximum superelevation of 0.07, limit the value of
e to 0.07. the curve should be safe for the full speed of 80 kmph as the ruling
minimum radius has been adopted. However check the transverse skid
resistance developed :
𝑉2 802
F= −𝑒 = − 0.07 = 0.149 < 0.15, 𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒
127𝑅 127×230
(c) Assume two lane pavement, i.e., n=2 and l = 6 m. Extra widening of
pavement,
𝑛𝑙 2 𝑉 2×62 80
We = + = + = 0.712𝑚
2𝑅 0.5 𝑅 2×230 9.5 230
Provide extra width of 0.71 m and a total width of pavement B = 7.712 m.
(d) Length of transition curve is designed by calculating the value based on
(i) Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
80 80
C= = = 0.52
75+𝑉 75+80
As this is within the range 0.5 to 0.8, the value is accepted for design
0.0215𝑉 3 0.0215×803
Ls = = = 92 𝑚
𝐶𝑅 0.52×230
(ii) Rate of introduction of the amount of superelevation E
Total amount of superelevation E i.e., the raising of the outer edge of the
pavement with respect to inner edge = 𝐵 × 𝑒 = 7.71 × 0.07 = 0.54 𝑚. As
the terrain is rolling, assume the pavement to be rotated about centre at a rate
of 1 in 50
𝐸 0.54×150
Ls = × 𝑁 = = 40.5 𝑚
2 2
(iii) Minimum length of formula; the highest of the three values is adopted at
design length Ls
2.7𝑉 2 2.7×802
Ls = = = 40.5𝑚
230 230
Adopting highest of three values, design length of transition curve = 92 m
(e) Intermediate sight distance = 2SSD
𝑉2
ISD = 2 0.278𝑉𝑡 +
254𝑓
802
= 2 0.278 × 80 × 2.5 + = 2 × 127.6 = 225 𝑚
254×0.35
(f) The length of circular curve is assumed greater than the desired sight
distance SD. The minimum clearance or set-back distance needed m = CD and
half the central angle 𝛼′Τ2 = Angle AOD
The distance d between the centre line of the pavement and the centre line of
the inside lane may be taken as one-fourth the width of pavement at the curve
(being a two lane pavement) = 7.71/4 = 1.93 m.
α′ 180S 180×225
= = = 32°
2 2π(R−D) 2π(230−1.93)
α′
Set-back distance m’ = R − R − d cos
2
m’ = 230 − 230 − 1.93 cos 32° = 36.6 m
Therefore the minimum set back distance or clearance required to provide a
clear vision for an ISD of 225 m is 36.6 m.
Question 20:
The is a horizontal highway curve of radius 400m and length 200m
on this highway. Compute the set back distances required from the
centre line on the inner side of the curve so as to provide for
(a) Stopping sight distance of 90 m
(b) Safe overtaking sight distance of 300m
Dist. between the centre lines of road and inner lanes = 1.9m

Solution:
Stopping sight distance of 90 m is less than the circular curve length of 200m
α′ 180𝑆 180×90
= = = 6°29′
2 2𝜋(𝑅−𝐷) 2𝜋(400−1.9)
𝛼′
m’ = R- (R - d) cos 2 = 400 – (400-1.9) cos 6°29′

Required clearance from the centre line

to provide SSD of 90m is 4.4m
The overtaking sight distance of 300m is greater than circular curve length is
200m. Therefore the required set back distance is (CF=CG+GF) and is given
by
S = 300m , Lc = 200m , R= 400m, d = 1.9m
α′ 180Lc 180×200
= = = 14.39°
2 2π(R−D) 2π(400−1.9)
Set back distance m’ = CF = CG+GF
α′ (S−Lc) α′
m’ = R − (R − d) cos + sin
2 2 2
300−200
= 400 − 400 − 1.9 cos 14.39° + sin 14.39°
2
= 14.4 + 12.4
= 26.8 m
Minimum set-back distance required from the centre line of the roads on the
inner side of the pavement to provide an OSD of 300 m = 27 m