VERTICAL
ALIGNMENT
TERRAIN
Level Terrain
- is that condition of the highway sight distances
on generally long or could be made to be so
without major expense.
TERRAIN
Rolling Terrain
– is that condition when the natural slope
consistently rise above or fall below the road
grade
TERRAIN
Mountainous Terrain
– is that condition when longitudinal and
transverse changes in the elevation of the grand
with respect to the road.
DESIGN ELEMENT
Vertical alignment of highways consists of
gradients
grade compensation
vertical curves (valley curve, summit curve).
RULING GRADIENT
It is also called as
designer gradient.
the maximum gradient
which is generally used
to design the vertical
profile of highway
RULING GRADIENT
the maximum gradient which is generally used
to design the vertical profile of highway.
It depends on the terrain, length of the grade,
speed, pulling power of the vehicle and the
presence of the horizontal curve.
LIMITING GRADIENT
Provided as shorter
stretches in highways.
This gradient is
adopted frequently in
terrains with limited
stretches.
EXCEPTIONAL GRADIENT
These are very steeper
gradients given at
unavoidable situations
and they are adopted
for stretches not
exceeding 100m of
length.
MINIMUM GRADIENT
Used in draining of rainwater from
the road.
For lateral drainage, Camber is
provided. But for the longitudinal
drainage along the side drains
require some slope for smooth flow
of water. For concrete drains
minimum gradient of 1 in 500 and
open soil drains gradient of 1 in 200
is suitable.
AVERAGE GRADIENT
It is the ratio of total rise or fall to the
horizontal distance between any two
points along the alignment of the road.
VERTICAL CURVES
Generally, two types of vertical curves are there to adopt for the vertical
alignment. They are summit curve and valley or sag curve.
VERTICAL CURVES
Generally, two types of vertical curves are there to adopt for the vertical
alignment. They are summit curve and valley or sag curve.
SUMMIT or CREST CURVE
A vertical curve adopted mainly when the gradient is upwards.
In case of summit curve simple parabola is considered as best
curve shape.
It connects inclined sections of roadway, forming a crest, and they
are relatively easy to design.
VALLEY OR SAG CURVE
It is a vertical curve provided when the gradient is downwards.
Generally, when the vehicle meets downward gradient it accelerates
more, and discomfort arises. So, in the design of valley curve in vertical
alignment comfort is considered along with sight distance.
SIGHT DISTANCE FOR VERTICAL CURVES
A 5% grade intersects a -3.4% grade at station 1+990 of elevation 42.
3 m.
Design Velocity = 60 kph
Height of driver’s eye from road pavement = 1.37 m
Height of an object over the pavement ahead = 100 mm
Perception – reaction time = ¾ s
Coefficient of friction between the road pavement and tires = 0.15
Determine the stopping sight distance and required length of curve.
GENERAL CONTROLS
A smooth grade line with gradual changes should be sought for in prefe
rence to a line with numerous breaks /short length of grades. The ‘roller coa
ster” or the hidden – dip type of profile should be avoided.
GENERAL CONTROLS
Undulating grade line involving substantial length of momentum grades
should be evaluated for their effect on traffic operation. (Bumpy area)
GENERAL CONTROLS
A “broken – back” grade line should be avoided.
On long grades, it may preferable to place the steepest grades at the bo
ttom and flatter the grades near the top of the ascent.
Where at-grade intersections occur on roadway sectors with moderate
to steep grades, it is desirable to reduce the grades through the intersection.
Sag vertical curves should be avoided in cuts unless adequate drainage
can be provided.
COORDINATION OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ALIGNMENTS
1. Don’t put sharp horizontal curve at crest or sag
2. Don’t put the inflection point of a reverse curve at the crest or sag
3. Don’t repeat the crest and sag in same horizontal curve
4. Don’t put the sag in the long stretch of straight section (road would look bent)
5. Don’t put short straight section in broken-back curve