VEB1043 GEOMATICS

January 2020

LAB REPORT

EXPERIMENT: Setting Out Circular Curve

GROUP: 1

GROUP MEMBERS: 1. Muhammad Noor Adam Bin Kamaruzaman

18000166
2. Michael Tiong Shu Yu
18002455
3. Nur Anita Binti Iqbal Feiruz Khan
18002429
4. Muhammad Faez Hazeem Bin Mohammad Ghazali
18002483
5. Roshan Hidayat Bin Jafri
18002531
6. Noraifa Afra Binti Mohd Nordin
18002477

LAB INSTRUCTOR:

LECTURER: Dr. Muslich Hartadi Sutanto

DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 18th February 2020

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 27th February 2020

INTRODUCTION
In the design of roads and railways, straight sections of road or track are connected by curves of
constant or varying radius. The purpose of the curves is to deflect the road through the angle
(deflection angle) between the two straights, θ. In construction surveying, a curve may form the
major part of route, it may form a kerb line at a junction.

OBJECTIVE
1) To set out a circular curve on the ground with the following design parameters.
● Radius, R=50
● Angle of Intersection , θ = 60 degrees
● Chord Length = 5m
● Chainage at tangent point T

EQUIPMENT:
1) Theodolite/Total Station -1
2) Tripod -1
3) Ranging Pole -2
4) Chaining Arrow -10
5) Measurement Tape -1
6) Nail -1
METHODOLOGY:

1) The angle of intersection, θ was found.

2) Tangent length was calculated from tangent point, T or U (Rtanθ/2).
3) Arc length was calculated.
4) The setting out data for the curve was prepared.
5) The tripod legs were spread out and the theodolite was mounted to the tripod.
6) A sight was taken so that it was centred. The theodolite was levelled by raising or
lowering the legs of the tripod until the circular spirit level was centred.
7) Next, tangent length and first tangential angle were measured on the field at the
Beginning of Curve (BC).
8) The second tangential angle was measured and the chord length was surveyed.
9) The steps were repeated until the last tangential angle and chord length when it reached
the End of Curve (EC).
10) The equipment was kept properly in its place and the report for the fieldwork was
prepared.
DATA AND CALCULATION

Calculation Procedure

R(Radius)=30m, Δdeflection angle= 60°, T(subtangent)=Rtan(Δ/2),

L=2πR(Δ/360°)

1.To calculate T(subtangent),

T=Rtan(Δ/2)
=30tan(60/2)
=17.32m

2.To calculate L(Length of Curve)

L=2πR(Δ/360°)
=2π(30)(60°/360°)
=31.416m

3.To calculate BC(beginning of curve) and EC(end of curve)

PI at 0 +100.000m (assume value)
-T - 17.320m .
BC= 0 + 82.680m
+ L + 31.416m .
EC= 0 + 114.096m

4. Compute for deflection angle for the three required arc distance,
● First angle from BC,
[(0+85)-(0+82.68)] = 2.32m (Distance from BC) → Arc
(Arc/L) x (Δ/2) = (2.32/31.416) x (60°/2) = 2°12’56’’

● Even station interval,

(Arc/L) x (Δ/2) = (5/31.416) x (60°/2) = 4°46’29’’

● Last even station,

[(0+114.096)-(0+110.000)] = 4.096m
(Arc/L) x (Δ/2) = (4.096/31.416) x (60°/2) = 3°54’51’’

5. To calculate the chord (C),

● Chord (C) = 2 x 30 sin(2°12’56’’) = 2.32m

● Even Chord (C) = 2 x 30 sin(4°46’29’’) = 5m

● Last Chord (C) = 2 x 30 sin(3°54’51’’) = 4.096m

 ● 0 + 82.680 →0 (BC)
2.320m
● 0 + 85.000 →2°12’56’’ + 𝛿1
5.000m
● 0 + 90.000 →6°59’25’’ + 𝛿2
5.000m
● 0 + 95.000 →11°45’54’’ +𝛿3
5.000m
● 0 + 100.000 →16°32’23’’ + 𝛿4
5.000m
● 0 + 105.000 →21°18’52’’ + 𝛿5
5.000m
● 0 + 110.000 →26°5’21’’ + 𝛿6
4.096m
● 0 + 114.096 →30°0’2’’ (EC)

θ = 60°
r=30m
Chord length=5m
T=Rtan 2θ = 17.32m
BC=100-17.32=82.68m
π
Arc length=r θ =30(60)( 180 )=31.416m
EC=82.68+31.416=114.096m
Tangential angle for initial subchord=1718.9 × ( 2.32
30 )=2°12’56’’
5
Tangential angle for general subchord=1718.9 × ( 30 )=4°46’29’’

30 )=3°54’51.23’’
Tangential angle for final subchord=1718.9 × ( 4.096

Point Chainage(m) Chord length(m) Tangential angle Cumulative

Tangential Angle

BC 82.68 0 0 0

1 85.00 2.32 2°12’56’’ 2°12’56’’

2 90.00 5 4°46’29’’ 6°59’25’’

3 95.00 5 4°46’29’’ 11°45’54’’

 4 100.00 5 4°46’29’’ 16°32’23’’

5 105.00 5 4°46’29’’ 21°18’52’’

6 110.00 5 4°46’29’’ 26°5’21’’

EC 114.096 4.096 3°54’51.23’’ 30°0’2’’

DISCUSSION

In this field work, we set up a circular curve using the data we calculated and some data

that were given which are radius(30m), deflection angle(60°) and chainage CL(5m) around the

block 14 and block 15 surroundings Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. The setting out process
begins with putting the ranging pole away from the theodolite using distance calculated
measured with a measuring tape. This is actually tangent length. Then, we make sure we can
see the ranging pole through the theodolite and slowly rotate the theodolite and move the
chaining arrows to the angle we calculated. When we got the angle correctly, we measure the
distance and put the chaining arrow away from the theodolite with distance calculated. Make
sure the measuring tape is in a straight line towards the chaining arrow from theodolite. The
process is repeated by putting 7 more chaining arrows with deflection angle and chord length
calculated.

The theodolite is very sensitive and not suitable to use since the change in angle is
small. It is very difficult to get the angle we want. Besides, the land is not flat so when we
projected the distance calculated on land, it would not reach the final chainage which is
chainage EC. Moreover, the eye level is not perpendicular to the scale of level so the reading
taken has a slight deviation from the actual value. Furthermore, the theodolite may not be held
horizontally because our bare eyes cannot make sure the bubble is really in the middle and the
bubble movement is very sensitive. Lastly, the theodolite is not set up perfectly vertically from
the chainage BC which is the initial chainage because the pin is not in the middle..

Thus, to overcome those errors, firstly we can reduce contact with the theodolite to
minimize the movement so the data will be more accurate. Besides, we have to calculate the
length considering the slanted land so the chord length is more reliable to be applied on non-flat
Earth surface. Moreover, we need to make sure the eye level is perpendicular to the scale of
the telescope by making the height of the theodolite close to the eye level of the observer.
Lastly, we need to make sure the theodolite is always in a perfectly horizontal and vertically
position by trying to avoid direct contact with the theodolite so the bubble is always in the middle
and we can see the pin is in the middle.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we are able to set out circular curves on the ground and also understand the
importance of this fieldwork in the engineering sector. By using theodolite, we are able to
demonstrate the use of each instrument for measuring angles and distances in order to
complete this setting out circular curve experiment. This practical work also provides us the
knowledge and experience on the real work process in the future. From this work field we
managed to calculate the deflection angles, sub-tangent, tangent length, arc length and length
of chord by using data collected from the fieldwork. Any errors that occur from this fieldwork are
due to the sensitivity of the theodolite in which it is hard to get the angle we wanted. However
modifications are made to overcome this problem in order to achieve the best results. All of the
formulas are used to get the results. By the end of this fieldwork, a curve is made in order to
meet the purpose of this fieldwork in which to deflect the road through the angle (deflection
angle) between the two straights, θ. Overall, it was a good experience for us as an engineering
student who will work in the industry later on.