Examples

On Horizontal Alignment
 Example 1
A horizontal curve, with degree D=5.82, on a 2-lane highway. The tangents meet with
angle 80 The (PI) has a station (108+14), and elevation (+24.00) on the centerline (One
station=100m). Road width=6.50 m, design speed=90 km/h, coefficient of side
friction=0.1324, cross slope=2%, highway gradient= +4% (upward), spiral curve
parameter A=180. The development of superelevation is attained by rotating the
pavement about its inner edge, It is required to:
a) Calculate the values of the horizontal alignment elements (superelevation,
transition curves length, shift, lengths of tangents, and angles). Draw a plan
illustrating these elements.
b) Draw a profile for the curve zone, find the stations and elevations of the centerline,
inner, and outer edges at the controlling points TS, SC, CS, ST.
c) If a building is to be constructed on the inner side of the curve, calculate the
minimum distance from highway inner edge to the proposed building.
d) Calculate the widening required and draw sketch plan for its application (L=6m).
V= Design Speed
A= Transition Curve Coefficient PI
e = superelevation
fs= Coefficient of side friction
R= Radius Es

t
T
Ys
= c

K
CS
V2 SC

P
e f
127 R

c
Xs
Spiral Curve Length
R * Ls A 2

ST
TS

=

28.636 Ls PI = Point of Tangent Intersection

R TS = Tangent Spiral Point

Spiral Curve Coordinates
l4 SC = Spiral Circular Point
x l 1
40 A4 CS = Circular Spiral Point
l
3
l4
y 1
6 A2
ST = Spiral Tangent Point
56 A4
p Ysc R cos R

T Xsc R p tan R sin T = Tangent length from Tangent Spiral point
2
= t = Tangent length of the original circular curve

w n R R 2 L2 0.105V
R


=
=
Central Angle of the original circular curve
Central Angle of the final circular curve

= Angle of the spiral curve

ES = Offset of the final circular curve

XSC = Horizontal Coordinate of Spiral Curve

YSC = Vertical Coordinate of Spiral Curve

P = Shift between final and original Circular Curve

1
Solution
The (PI) has a station
(108+14), and elevation
(+24.00) on the
centerline (One
station=100m)
 Example 2
A 6-lane highway, with 3.50 m lane width and 2.0% cross slope goes
on a horizontal curve of degree 4.365, longitudinal slope along the
centerline = +2%, design speed 100 Km/h and coefficient of side
friction = 0.126, the central angle = 100 and A= 200.
o If the station of the point PI is (66+15) and Elevation of (+4.00)
on centerline of the road (see cross section), calculate the
stations and elevations at the connecting points TS, SC, CS, and
ST on the centerline of each direction as well as on inner and
outer edges (station=100 m).
o Draw a plan of the road centerline with all dimensions and a
profile showing the development of superelevation by rotating
about the centerline of each direction.
o Calculate coordinates of the midpoint of the spiral curve.
Cross Section
Solution
Plan
Profiles
Profiles
Coordinates of the midpoint of the spiral curve

504
X l 50 50 1 49.995 m
4
40 200

503 504
Yl 50 1
2
0.521m
4
6 200 56 200
Example 3
Solution