Vertical Curves

Kamol Debnath Dip

 Vertical Curves

PUNMIA Vol. 2: Chapter 4

Grade line = sloping line= line having gradient

Combinati
on of
Grade in
Vertical
Curve
Vertical Curves
Parabolic Function
• Constant rate of change of slope
• Implies equal curve tangents
• y is the roadway elevation
• x is distance from the beginning of the curve
• Parabola provides a constant rate of change of grade, it is ideal and
almost always applied for vertical alignments on highways
Computations and Setting out a vertical curve
• Distance along the curve measured horizontally
• Distance from tangent measured Vertically.
Computations and Setting out a vertical curve

Rate of Change of Grade

Computations and Setting out a vertical curve- By
Tangent Correction
Computations and Setting out a vertical curve- By
Tangent Correction
Computations and Setting out a vertical curve- By
Tangent Correction
Computations and Setting out a vertical curve
Continues..

%
+0. 8
=

=-
0.9
%
Continues..

%
+0. 8
=

Tangent elevation at nth peg = elevation of o + ne1 =-

0.9
%
 Continues..
Using parabolic equation, y = ax2+bx+c
Here, c = Elevation of O =
%
b= g1 = 0.8/100 =0.008 +0. 8
=
And a = (g2-g1)/(2L) =(-0.009-0.008)/(2*680) = -0.0000125
=-
0.9
%
So, elevation at any horizontal distance x from o
y= -0.0000125x2+0.008x+236.035
 Curve
Elevation Curve Curve
(by Elevation Elevation Curve
Tangent tangent Distanc (by (by Distan Elevation
Chainag Elevatio Tangent correction e from parabolic Tangent Tangent tangent ce (by
Station e (m) n Correction ) (m) O (m) equation) Chaina Elevatio Correctio correctio from O parabolic
0 1324 236.035 0 236.035 0 236.035 Station ge (m) n n n) (m) (m) equation)
1 1344 236.195 0.005 236.19 20 236.19 17 1664 238.755 1.445 237.31 340 237.31
2 1364 236.355 0.02 236.335 40 236.335 18 1684 238.915 1.62 237.295 360 237.295
19 1704 239.075 1.805 237.27 380 237.27
3 1384 236.515 0.045 236.47 60 236.47 20 1724 239.235 2 237.235 400 237.235
4 1404 236.675 0.08 236.595 80 236.595 21 1744 239.395 2.205 237.19 420 237.19
5 1424 236.835 0.125 236.71 100 236.71 22 1764 239.555 2.42 237.135 440 237.135
6 1444 236.995 0.18 236.815 120 236.815 23 1784 239.715 2.645 237.07 460 237.07
7 1464 237.155 0.245 236.91 140 236.91 24 1804 239.875 2.88 236.995 480 236.995
8 1484 237.315 0.32 236.995 160 236.995 25 1824 240.035 3.125 236.91 500 236.91
26 1844 240.195 3.38 236.815 520 236.815
9 1504 237.475 0.405 237.07 180 237.07 27 1864 240.355 3.645 236.71 540 236.71
10 1524 237.635 0.5 237.135 200 237.135 28 1884 240.515 3.92 236.595 560 236.595
29 1904 240.675 4.205 236.47 580 236.47
30 1924 240.835 4.5 236.335 600 236.335
11 1544 237.795 0.605 237.19 220 237.19 31 1944 240.995 4.805 236.19 620 236.19
12 1564 237.955 0.72 237.235 240 237.235 32 1964 241.155 5.12 236.035 640 236.035
13 1584 238.115 0.845 237.27 260 237.27 33 1984 241.315 5.445 235.87 660 235.87
34 2004 241.475 5.78 235.695 680 235.695
14 1604 238.275 0.98 237.295 280 237.295
15 1624 238.435 1.125 237.31 300 237.31
16 1644 238.595 1.28 237.315 320 237.315
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Vertical Curves
Problem 2
Continues..
 Continues..

• Complete the rest by yourself…

• Hint: calculate chainage and elevation of PVC, PVI, PVT also every peg
at 5 meters interval.