Tutorial 3 Horizontal alignment calculation
Transitions
Design of Alignment
where
S is the shift (m)
L is the length of the transition curve (m)
R is the radius of the circular curve (m)
V is the design speed (km/hr)
C is the rate of change of radial
acceleration (m/s3)
The value of C should be within the range 0.3 to 0.6.
A value above 0.6 can result in instability in the vehicle while
values less than 0.3 will lead to excessively long transition
curves leading to general geometric difficulties
Horizontal alignment
Question 1
A transition curve is required for a single carriageway road with a design speed of 85 km/hr. The bearings
of the two straights in question are 17° and 59° (see Fig.). Assume a value of 0.3 m/s3 for C.
Calculate the following:
1. The transition length, L
2. The shift, S
3. The length along the tangent required from the intersection point to the start of the transition, IT
4. The form of the cubic parabola and the co-ordinates of the point at which the transition becomes the
circular arc of radius R.
The design speed is 85 km/hr, therefore the desirable minimum radius is 510 m,
assuming super elevation of 5%.
(1) Length of transition:
Question 1 Cont…
(2) The shift, S
S = L2/24R =
(3) Length of IT:
(4) Form of the transition curve:
x = y3 /6RL
Co-ordinates of point at which circular arc
commences:
Horizontal curve elements
Question 2
A highway passing through rolling terrain has a horizontal curve with radius equal to ruling minimum
radius.
1. Design the elements of the curve assuming suitable data
2. Specify the minimum setback distance from the Centre line of the two-lane highway on the inner side
of the curve up to which building that obstruct the vison should not be constructed so tat intermediate
sight distance should eb available through out the circular curve. Assume the sight distance is lesser
than the length of the curve.
The elements to be designed are: R ruling: e+f=V^2/127R=> R=V^2/127(e+f)
a) Ruling minimum radius
Superelevation e=Vd^2/127R=> e=0.75V^2/127R
b) Superelevation
c) Extra widening Extra widening
d) Length of Transition curve Assume two lane pavement and wheelbase length is 6m
e) SSD, ISD, Set back distance n= 2, l=6
Length of Transition curve L = V3/(3.63xC x R)
Horizontal curve elements
Question 2 cont…
SSD, ISD, Set back distance V= Deign speed
f=0.35
g=9.81m/sec^2
Intermediate sight distance (ISD)= 2SSD
Offset = CD in the figure
Using the geometry
d= ¼ of width of road at the curve
Offset= CD=
Superelevation
Question 3
Calculate the superelevation required for a road 7.5m wide on a curve of 240m radius for a permissible
speed of 80 Km/h. Assume the coefficient of lateral friction as 0.15. Also, calculate the equilibrium
superelevation for the condition when the pressure on the inner and outer wheel will be equal.
Given,
Road Width (b) = 7.5m
Radius of curve(R) = 240m
Permissible speed(V) = 80 Km/h
Coefficient of lateral friction(f) = 0.15
e + f = V² /127R. Where e = Rate of superelevation.
[1] Amount of superelevation for 7.5m wide road
[2] Equilibrium superelevation (e) = V² /127R
Vertical Alignment
Question 4
Calculate the desired and absolute minimum crest curve lengths for a dual carriageway highway
with a design speed of 100km/h where the algebraic change in gradient is 7% (from +3% (uphill) to
-4% (downhill)).
L = K(p - q)
(1) Desirable minimum curve length =
(2) Absolute minimum curve length =