Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Civil Engineering-Environmental and Sanitary Engineering

Intramuros, Manila

Fieldwork No.2

LAYING OF A SIMPLE
CURVE USING THE TAPE
ALONE
(INCREMENTAL CHORDS AND TANGENT OFFSETS METHOD)

Submitted by:
TABIGUE, Christian A.
CE-2

Submitted to:
Engr. Bienvenido Cervantes
CE121-B1

GRADE

OBJECTIVES:

To be able to lay a simple curve by using the tape alone.

MATERIALS/INSTRUMENTS:

2 range poles

Chalks

50 meter tape

METHOD/PROCEDURE:

The professor gives the following data:

I=_49 _
R=_143.24 m_
Station of the PC: _9 + 936.72_ (Preferably not on a full station mark)
Adopt full chord length of _5 m_

The professors assigns the location of PC in the field, together

with the direction of the backward tangent.
*NOTE: Be careful in assigning the location of station PC
and direction of the backward tangent so that the curve
will not be obstructed by any large permanent structure.
The Students:
o Compute the central incremental angle of the simple curve
assigned, Lc and Station PT.
o Compute the incremental tangent offset distances x and y
of each intermediate stations before going to the field.
o Compute the first offset distances x and y using the formula
indicated in the computations sections..
o Compute the second offset distances x and y using the
formula indicated in the computations sections.
o Compute the succeeding offset distances x and y using the
formula indicated in the computations sections.
o Compute the last offset distances x and y using the formula
indicated in the computations sections.
o Lay the curve in the field starting in the position of the PC.
The process explained below assumed that the total length
of the tape will not be exhausted.
Station A is now laid on the ground using the procedure below.
o The front tapeman should hold the 0 mark of the tape at
station PC.
o The tangent offset tapeman (man at station A) should hold
and locate the length x1 mark, loop the tape and hold also
the next full meter length.
o The point A tapeman should locate and hold the y 1 length of
the tape from the tangent offset tapeman and also loop the

tape and hold the next full meter length of the tape. The
front tapeman while holding the zero mark of the tape must
also hold the c1 tape length distance from point tapeman.
o The front tapeman and tangent offset tapeman should align
themselves in the direction of the back tangent of the
simple curve.
o The three tapeman should stretch the tape and the point A
tapeman should mark its exact position on the ground with
a marking pin or a chalk if on pavement.
Station B is now laid on the ground using the procedures below.
o The front tapeman holds the 0 mark of the tape at station
A.
o The tangent offset tapeman (man at station B) holds and
locates the length x2 mark, loop the tape and hold also the
next full meter length.
o The point B tape man locates and holds the y 2 length of the
tape from the tangent offset tapeman; he also loops the
tape and holds the next full meter length of the tape. The
front tapeman while holding the zero mark of the tape also
holds the c tape length distance from point B tapeman.
o The front tapeman and tangent offset tapeman align
themselves in the direction along the prolongation of line PC

to A.
Station C and other full stations are now laid on the ground using

the same procedures.

Station PT is laid in the same manner as above but this time with a

chord length of only c2.

Determine the percentage of error by using the formula indicated in
the computations section.

COMPUTATIONS:

If the azimuth of the backward and the forward tangents are given, the
intersection angle I can be solved using:
I =azimuth of the forward tangent azimuth of thebackward tangent
The tangent distance must be solved using:
T =R tan

1
2

The middle ordinate distance (M) can be computed using:

1
M =R [1cos ]
2
The length of the curve (Lc) can be computed using:
Lc=

RI
; when I isdegrees
180

Lc=RI ; when I isradians

The station of PC can be computed using:

PC=PI T

The station of PT can be found by:

PT=PI + Lc
The length of the first sub chord from PC, if PC is not exactly on a full
station (otherwise C1= a full chord length)
C 1=First full station on the curvePC

The length of the last sub chord from PT, if PT is not exactly on a full
station (otherwise C2= a full chord length)
C 2=PT last full station on the curve
The value of the first deflection angle d1:
d 1=2 sin1

C1
2R

The value of the last deflection angle d2:

d 2=2 sin1

C2
2R

Incremental Chord and Tangent Offset Method

The tangent offset distance x1 must be solved using:
x 1=c 1cos(

d1
)
2

The tangent offset distance y1 must be solved using:

y 1=c 1sin(

d1
)
2

The tangent offset distances x2 must be solved using:

x 2=ccos

d 1+ D
2

The tangent offset distance y2 must be solved using:

y 2=csin

d 1+ D
2

The tangent offset distance x3, must be solved using:

x 3=ccos

D+ D
x 3=ccos D
2

The tangent offset distance y3 must be solved using:

y 3=csin

D+ D
y 3=csin D
2

The tangent offset distance xn, must be solved using:

xn=ccos

d 2+ D
2

The tangent offset distance yn, must be solved using:

yn=csin

d 2+ D
2

The formula of finding the percentage error:

valuemeasured value
|computedcomputed
|
value

error =

FINAL DATA SHEET

FIELD WORK 2
ALONE

LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE BY USING THE TAPE

(THE INCREMENTAL CHORD AND TANGENT OFFSET

METHOD)
DATE: July 31, 2012

GROUP NO. 1

TIME: 7:30 am-12:00 nn

LOCATION: Intramuros

Walls
WEATHER: Cloudy

PROFESSOR: Engr. Cervantes

DATA GATHERED:
I=_49 _

R=_143.24 m_

Station of the PC: _9 + 936.72_ (Preferably not on a full station mark)

Adopt full chord length of _5 m_ (Preferably in between 2m- 5m)
Scale: 1m:4m
STATION
OCCUPIED OBSERVED
PC
A

CHORD
3.28m

CENTRAL
ANGLE
1.31

OFFSET DISTANCES
X
Y
3.28
0.04

20m

19.95

1.4

20m

19.95

1.4

20m

19.95

1.4

20m

19.95

1.4

20m

19.95

1.4

PT

19.22m

8 7.69

19.17

1.29

=49
COMPUTED LENTH OF THE CHORD: _118.80 m_
ACTUAL LENGTH OF THE CHORD: 29.9 * 4m = 119.6 m_

Percent error=

119.6 m118.80 m
=0.67
119.6 m

RELATED RESEARCH

The figure below shows two tangents joined by a simple curve of

radius R. The terminologies for circular curve is also shown in the figure.
The beginning of curve is known as point of curvature and ends at point of
tangency. PI is the point of intersection of the subtangents and it is
denoted by I.

Terminologies used in simple curve

PC = Point of curvature. It is the beginning of curve.

PT = Point of tangency. It is the end of curve.

 PI = Point of intersection of the tangents.

T = Length of tangent from PC to PI and from PI to PT. It is known as
subtangent.
R = Radius of simple curve, or simply radius.
L = Length of chord from PC to PT. Point Q as shown in the figure is
the midpoint of L.
Lc = Length of curve from PC to PT. Point M as shown in the figure is
the midpoint of Lc.
E = External distance. It is the nearest distance from PI to the curve.
From the above figure, point M is the midpoint of the curve and E is
the distance from PI to M.
m = Middle ordinate. It is the distance from the midpoint of the
curve to the midpoint of the chord. From the figure above, m is the
distance MQ.
I = Deflection angle (also called angle of intersection and central
angle). It is the angle of intersection of the tangents. The angle
subtended by PC and PT at O is also equal to I, where O is the center
of the circular curve from the above figure.
x = offset distance from tangent to any point in the curve; note that
x is perpendicular to T.
= offset angle subtended at PC between PI and any point in the
curve

 D = Degree of curve. It is the central angle subtended by a length of

curve equal to one station. In English system, one station is equal to
100 ft and in SI, one station is equal to 20 m.
Sub chord = chord distance between two adjacent full stations.
Sharpness of circular curves

The smaller is the degree of curve, the flatter is the curve and vice
versa. The sharpness of simple curve is also determined by radius R.
Large radius is flat whereas small radius is sharp.
Developing a Computer Program for the Methods of RadiusEstimating Techniques for Horizontal Curves

When a highway changes horizontal direction, making the point

where it changes direction a point of intersection between two straight
lines is not feasible. The change in direction would be too abrupt for the
safety of modem, high-speed vehicles. It is therefore necessary to
interpose a curve between the straight lines. The straight lines of a road
are called tangents because the lines are tangent to the curves used to
change direction. Horizontal curves are, in effect, transitions between two
tangents. These deflection changes are necessary in virtually all highway
alignments to avoid impacts on a variety of field
conditions (e.g., right-of-way, natural features and manmade features)
In practically all modem highways, the curves are circular curves;
that is, curves that form circular arcs. The smaller the radius of a circular
curve, the sharper the curve. For modern, high-speed highways, the
curves must be flat, rather than sharp. That means they must be largeradius curves (FHWA, 2003). In highway work, the curves needed for the
location or improvement of small secondary roads may be worked out in

the field. Usually, the horizontal curves are computed after the route has
been selected, the field surveys have been done and the survey base line
and necessary topographic features have been
plotted. In urban work, the curves of streets are designed as an integral
part of the preliminary and final layouts, which are usually done on a
topographic map.
In highway work, the road itself is the end result and the purpose of
the design. But in urban work, the streets and their curves are of
secondary importance; the best use of the building sites is of primary
importance
Types of the horizontal curves: There are five types of horizontal
curves as illustrated in Fig. 1. They are described as follows (Garber and
Hoel, 2001):
Simple: The simple curve is an arc of a circle. The radius of the
circle determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve.
Compound: Frequently, the terrain will require the use of the
compound curve. This curve normally consists of two simple curves joined
together and curving in the same direction (Garber and Hoel, 2001).
Reverse: A reverse curve consists of two simple curves joined
together, but curving in opposite direction. For safety reasons, the use of
this curve should be avoided when possible.
Spiral: The spiral is a curve that has a varying radius. It is used on
railroads and most modem highways. Its purpose is to provide a transition
from the tangent to a simple curve or between simple curves in a
compound curve (Garber and Hoel, 2001).
Broken-back curves: This type of alignment should be avoided
except where very unusual topographical or right-of-way conditions
dictate otherwise. Highway engineers generally consider the broken-back

alignment to be unpleasant and awkward and prefer spiral transitions or a

compound curve alignment with continuous superelevation for such
conditions.
Methods of radius-estimating of horizontal curves:
Many

groups,

including

transportation

agencies,

accident

investigators and transportation researchers, would find an accurate,

quick and safe method to estimate the radius of horizontal curves
particularly useful. The radius estimating methods were as follows:
Basic ball bank indicator (BBI)
Advanced Basic ball bank indicator
Chord length
Compass
Field survey
Global Positioning System (GPS) unit
Lateral acceleration
Plan sheet
Speed advisory plate and
Vehicle yaw rate
Note: In this report, the only first three methods will be
discussed.
Ball Bank Indicator (BBI) Method: A BBI is a curved level
commonly used to determine the safe speed of horizontal curves. A BBI
measures the combination of lateral acceleration, vehicle body roll and
superelevation in the following relationship:
BBI = lateral acceleration - superelevation body roll (1)

Each term in the above equation cannot be individually determined

from the BBI reading alone. The BBI reading is simply a relationship of
these three components. If it were not for the body-roll angle, the BBI
reading in degrees would be a direct measure of
lateral acceleration. If body roll is neglected, then the radius can be
estimated using the pointmass Eq:
R=

v2
127( e+ f )

Where:
R = Radius (ft)
V = Speed (mph)
E = Average full superelevation
F = Side friction factor
Usually several readings are taken at different speeds until a
satisfactory speed angle combination is obtained. An example of a ballbank reading is illustrated below in Fig. 2 (Carlson and Mason, 1999).
Advanced ball bank indicator method: In this approach, the
researchers hoped to improve the ball bank indicator method by
measuring

the

body

roll

of

the

vehicle

measurements into the radius estimation.

and

incorporating

the

Fig. 2: Display with ball-bank indicator readings

Fig. 3: Example of excess noise from roll rate sensors

To accomplish this improvement, the researchers used roll-rate
sensors to measure the body roll of the vehicles sprung mass and the roll
of the vehicles fixed suspension. In theory, a roll-rate sensor positioned in
the sprung mass of the vehicle would measure the body roll of the vehicle
plus the super elevation, whereas a roll-rate sensor positioned on the

fixed suspension of the vehicle would measure only the super elevation.
The difference of these two methods would result in the body roll. In
addition, this method would alleviate the need for a field crew to leave
their vehicle to measure super elevation or estimate super elevation. The
added features of this method were envisioned to potentially increase
accuracy and safety as compared with the ball bank indicator method
(Carlson et al., 2005).
An example of data measured along one of the test curves is shown
in Fig. 3.The data represent the roll rate of the sprung mass and the roll
rate of the fixed suspension. These data have considerable variation,
even with the data filters positioned at their maximum value. Due to this
excessive noise, this method was not pursued further (Garber and Hoel,
2001).
Chord length method: A Chord Length is a line that touches the
circumference of a circle at two points. With the chord method, a
technician stretches a string of known length so that each end just
touches the lane edge-line of the horizontal curve. It should be noted that
the string can be stretched between any two points between the PC and
PT of equal radii. However, both ends of the string must be within the
limit of the curve. After the string is stretched, an offset distance is
measured from the middle of the string to the lane edgeline. With the
string length and offset known, the curve radius can be calculated by
(Carlson et al., 2005):

R=

C 2+ 4 M 2
8M

Where:
R = Radius (m)
C = Length of string (m)

M = Offset distance (m)

DISCUSSION:

Our group is tasked to layout a simple curve using only a single tape
by the use of its tangent offsets. This method is known as Incremental
Chord and Tangent Offset method. After our professor gave us the
description of the curve and before going to the fieldwork, we computed
first for the additional data including the x and y tangent offsets. By
doing that, we save a lot of time and energy because we dont need to
solve it in the field where the blazing sun is over us. We corrected the
way we perform the fieldwork compared to our previous one where in we
didnt read the procedures as stated in the field manual that is why we
performed it again for a second time. This time, we read the procedures
carefully which results to only one trial which is correct and accurate.
In this fieldwork, there is no major problem that we encounter while
laying out the curve using only the tape. Actually, at first I thought that it
was impossible to lay out a curve using only one measuring instrument
but since there is a concept behind it, it helps me to believe and live it.
Another possible error a surveyor may encounter while performing the
fieldwork using this method is the setting of the perpendicular line of the
y offset to the curve. That particular problem may be properly addressed
if the surveyor has descent knowledge of trigonometry because the
tangent offsets and the curve will form a right triangle.
In order to correct our fieldwork, we computed for the percentage of
error of our computed length and the measured length of the chord.

Based on our result, we only got a little percentage of error that is why I
consider this fieldwork a success. Since the tape here is the primary
instrument to setup the curve, it may be subjected to expansion and
contraction due to temperature change so it is necessary to watch over it
and account its possible errors made.

CONCLUSION:

In this fieldwork, we are tasked to lay out a simple curve using only
the tape or which is also known as the Incremental Chord and Tangent
Offset Method. We have already take adjustment measures to correct our
mistakes and errors last fieldwork just like reading the procedures as
stated in the manual, solving first the data that will be needed in the
completion of the fieldwork. We have already adjusted to the kind of
nature in surveying 2 compared to surveying 1 where in we only measure
distance, elevation, angles, etc. but in here we are to layout a curve that
will be complex as the term near its end.
Since we performed the fieldwork well, our objective where in it
states that to be able to lay a simple curve by using the tape alone was
met. We encountered minor problems which are easily solved such as the
setting of the tangent y offsets that creates a right angle with the
extended of the previous line.
Overall, the fieldwork is just very easy since it is only a simple
curve. Comparing this fieldwork and the previous one, they differ in
method but the concept and the laid out curve will be the same. Actually,
the previous one is easier because it conserve a lot of time since you

have both theodolite and tape but the advantage of this method is that it
is practical to use whenever you dont have a theodolite in hand.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to extend my appreciation to those people and

institution that helped us accomplish this particular field work. Thank you
to my professor for making us laugh in the class which lessens the
pressure and stress we feel. I would like also to thank the surveying lab
assistants who let us borrow the materials that we are going to use in the
field and for patiently waiting for us to return all of it. Thank you also to
my parents who are always supportive on me whatever I do. Thank you to
my group mates for their cooperation and time for the completion of the
field work. To the Intramuros guards, thank you also because they helped
us get rid of the street children that keep on annoying us while doing our
field work. Lastly, thanks to the God Almighty for giving us a cloudy
weather and for making us always enlightened and guided. Thank you
also to my other references which gave me more ideas and concrete facts
that are added in this report.

[1] http://cereview.info/book/surveying/formulas-circular-curves
[2]https://ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu/mburris/Papers/TRR%201918%20%20COMPARISON%20OF%20RADIUS%20ESTIMATING

%20TECHNIQUES%20FOR%20HORIZONTAL%20CURVES.pdf
http://www.tpub.com/inteng/11c.htm
[3] ajeassp.2011.276.287.pdf

[3]