PART VI

COMPOUND CURVES
Any simple circular curve used in a highway, railway or canal presents
pro bl ems.
At the P. C. there is an instantaneous change of direction and the
magnitude of this change increases as the radius decreases. In the case of a
highway or railway, a vehicle or a train cannot change direction instantaneously.
In the case of the vehicle, it does not follow a truly circular path
in the first part of the curve. In the case of the train it imposes forces
on the rails which may cause them to shift. The magnitude of the forces will
increase as R decreases assuming that the velocity remains constant.
There is a1 so the problem of super-elevating or " bankingu a simp1 e circular
curve. The greater the design speed the greater will be the need for superelevation.
Theoretically, there should be no superelevation on one side of the
P. C. and there should be the required superel evation on the other, with no
transition in between. Because such a situation is impractical we have to
compromise
and perhaps begin our superelevation before the P.C. is reached so that
the first part of the curve has, at least, part of the required superelevation.
The situation becomes worse as R is decreased, for a constant design speed.
Obviously what has been said in the preceding two paragraphs applies at
the P.T. as well.
On canals, too rapid a change in direction could lead to erosion problems.
Because the magnitude of the problems of change of direction and superelevation
increase as R decreases we can, at least partially, relieve the problem
by combining arcs of simple curves of different radius as shown.
The curve shown in Ffg . I consi sts of two outer arcs, both having the same

long radius and the same central angle. The central portion has s short radius.
In this case the curve is symmetrical about the dotted Q and is called a
Symmetrical ly Compounded Curve.
The long radius portion between the P.C. and the P.C.C. (Point of Compound
Curvature) a1 lows for a more gradual change in direction and a more gradual
(and smoother) appl icat ion of superel evation so that the short radius portion
will be safe. The second long radius portion (from the second P.C.C. to the
P.T.) allows for a gradual change back to straight-line conditions beyond the
P. T.
Figure 1
We can have a multi-centred curve as illustrated below*
This is a multi-centered
In terns of riding and driving
qualities it would be an
improvement over the
symnetri call y-compounded
curve in Figure 1 .
Later we will discuss a better
solution to the problem-the
so-called transition spiral
Figure 2
There are many applications of mu1 ti-centered curves which are not
symmetrical-particularly in various types of grade-separation structures.
Calculate the sub-tangent
distance, T, for the
symnetrically-compounded

curve shown above.

In this case we can make use of symnetry to set up a simple solution.
We can treat A00 and B0C each as separate self-contained curves. Through
B we can draw a 1 ine V, BV2, I to BO, which is tangent to both curves.
Figure 4
AV, = VIB = TI
BVp = V2C = TZ
VIVp = TI + T2
180-A - 600 Angle AVV2 = - - 2
Angle VV V- A1 = 15' 1 2By deduction, Angle V, V2V = 180' - 60'-15' = 105'
T, = 500 x Tan 7'30' = 65.82
We can use the sin law to solve for V1 Y in the triangle VVIVZ
We can now try an example where the curve is not symmetrical.
2. Example Two
Figure 5
Figure 6
AVl = VIB = TI = 400 Tan 10' = 70.53
BV2 = V2C = T2 = 300 Tan lo0= 52.89
CV3 = VD= T = 200 Tan lo0= 35.27 3 3
In Figure 6
Angle
We must now calculate the 1engthsAV and VD by the method of latitudes
and departures.
The approach to all such problems will be the same. As the number of
different arcs is increased the only change will be the length of the

latitudes and departures problem.

4
'5;
VV1
V1 V2
vzv3
V3V
1
Traverse Data
Lenqth Bearing .
- Ass. West
123.43 ~70'~
88.16 ~50'~
114.19 ~30'~
0
Functions Latitudes
-I98.88
0
Departures
Cos
-34202
.64279
.86603
42.21

56.67
98.88
+
115.98
67.54
183.52
Sin
.93969
.76604
.30000
I
126.43
(4)
57.09
(3)
1. c Southings = 98.88 = c Northings
All Northings are in V3V = 5' 98.88
2. V3V x Cos 30' = 98.88
98.88 - 98.88 =
V3v = pp Cos 300 * .86603
3. Dep. in V3V = 114.19 x .50000 =
4. c Eastings = 183.52 = c Westings
Balance of Westings is VV1
VV,
Back
=

Tangent
183.52
=
AV
57.09
= VV1
=v
+ T1
Forward Tangent = VD = VV3 + T3
, = 11419 + 35.27
VD = 149.45,
Note that, in any compound curve, the curve must be run in sections,
the instrument occupying the beginning or end of each section of
different radius.
It should also be noted that it is necessary to put in control
independent of the curve in order to isolate any errors that may be
made. In the case of the assymetrical compound curve in Figures 5 and 6
it is highly desirable (in fact, essential) that points V1, B, V2, C and
V3 be 1 ocated before one begins running the curve.
3. Example Three
Two tangents intersect at n = 70, P. I. = Stn 32 + 51 -82. Set
up the field notes for the following compound curve (symmetrical).
1st curve A = 20, D = 8'~ (20 rn chords)
2nd curve A = 300, D = 120R (10 m chords)
3rd curve A = 200, D = 80R (20 m chords)

Solution
1st curve R1 =
20
8 = 143.36 m
2 sin (Z-)
R1 Tan A TI =
2 0 1 = (143.36) tan (-T) = 25.28 m
2
2nd curve R2 =
'to
2 = 47.83 m
2 sin (1) 2
R2Tan A2
T2 = 30 - 2 = (47.83) tan - 12.82 rn
3rd curve = same as 1st curve
Figure 7
Figure 8
AV, TI = 25.28m
In A V1V2V
VIV2 = TI + T2 25.28 + 12.82
using sin law
V,V = 44.93 m
. . Back tangent = AV1 + VIV = 25.28 + 44.93
Since curve is symmetrical the forward tangent = back tangent = 70.21 rn
P.I. = Stn 32 t 51.82
-B.T. 00 + 70.21

P.C. 31 + 81.61
Check
P.C. 31 + 81.51
+L
CC
1 + 25.00
P,T, 33 + 06.61
P.T. 33 + 06.61
Figure 9
Def 1
Station
33 + 6.61 P.T.
33 + 00
32 + 80
32 + 60
32 + 56.61 P.C .C. 2
32 + 50
32 + 40
32 + 31.61 P.C.Cml
NOTE: The checks of P.C.Cm1, P.C.C. and P.T. are essential! 2 '
Angle
r 32 + 00
31 + 81.61 P.C.
32 + 20 7'40 ' 40 "

35~~'~~"
33'40 ' 40"
29'40 ' 40"
25'40 ' 40 "
2500'0011
21 '02 '00"
I 5'02' 00"
10~00'00"
3'40 ' 40 "
oOOO' 00"
Curve #1 D = 8' .'. d = 4'
= (18.39)(8)(40 = 340140~
d2 = (11.61)(8)(40 = 219'20"
=bT/2 curve 82 D = 12' .*.d = 6 0
dl = (8.39) (12)/20 = 502t00"
d2 = (6.61 )~12)/20 = 3'58'00"
= ("1+*~~/2 V' curve #3 D = 8' . ' .d=4'
dl = (3.39) (8)/40? 0~40'40"
d2 = (6.61)(8)/40= 119120"
= *1/2 4
Field procedure for compound curves is essentially the same as for
simple curves. The transit has to 6e set up at P.C.C.1, and P.C.C.2 in
order to run in the curves.
PROBLEMS
7. Determine the radius of the central curve of a symmetrical compound
curve which passes through point "Au, and determine the stationing

of point "A".