1 Fundamentals of Highway Engineering
Chapter Two:
HIGHWAY ROUTE SURVEYS AND LOCATION
Instructor: Fasika Mekonnen
[email protected] Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT
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Objective: establishment of the new highway’s centerline
and cross-sections in relation to the terminal points and to
the topography through which the highway will pass.
Centerline determines the amount of cut and fill, cross-
section details, drainage design, construction costs and
environmental impacts.
Improper alignment would increase;
Construction cost
Land acquisition cost
Maintenance cost
Vehicle operation cost
Accident rate
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT…(Cond..)
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Different types of highway have different needs.
Requirements of ideal alignment:
Short
Easy
Construction, maintenance, vehicle operation
Safe
low accident, stable foundation)
Economical
Initial cost, maintenance cost, operation cost
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
FACTORS CONTROLLING ALIGNMENT
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Factors controlling alignment
Obligatory points
Traffic
Geometric design
Economics
Other considerations
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FACTORS CONTROLLING ALIGNMENT..(Cond..)
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Obligatory points
Points through which the alignment is to pass
Bridges sites
Intermediate town b/n terminals
Mountainous pass
Points through which the alignment should not pass
Very costly structures
Highly developed expensive land areas
Cultural or religious places
Hospitals, schools etc
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
FACTORS CONTROLLING ALIGNMENT..(Cond..)
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Traffic
The alignment should suit traffic demand
The alignment should kept in view of the desire lines, flow patterns
and future trend
Geometric design:
Grades, radius of curves, sight distance etc
First determine standard of the road and then
Fix the geometric standards
Economy:
Includes the initial cost, maintenance cost and operation cost
If high embankment and deep cuts are avoided there would be a
decrease in initial cost
In minor roads: Grades-steep, Curves-sharp
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
FACTORS CONTROLLING ALIGNMENT..(Cond..)
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Other considerations:
Drainage consideration
Guide the vertical alignment
Hydrological factors
Subsurface water level, seepage flow, high flood level
Political considerations
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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The purpose of the route survey is to fix the road
alignment i.e. to position the central line of the road
on the ground.
The work of the highway location survey may
include
Desk study
Reconnaissance surveys
Preliminary surveys
Final location & detailed surveys
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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1. Desk study
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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1. Desk study
If the topographic map of the area is available it is
possible to suggest the likely routes of the road
The following details help to locate the routes:
Alignment avoiding valleys, ponds or lakes
Possibility of crossing through mountain pass
Approximate location of bridges sites for crossing river
Consider alternate routes by keeping the permissible
gradient
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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2. Reconnaissance surveys
To examine the general character of the area
Helps to decide the most feasible routes for
detailed studies
A field survey party may inspect a fairly broad
stretch of land along the proposed alternatives
routes of the map in the field
All relevant details not available in the map are
collected & noted down
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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2. Reconnaissance surveys(Cond’t)
The following are some of the details to be
collected:
Valleys, ponds, lakes, marshy land
Approximate values of gradient, length of gradients
Number & type of cross-drainage structures, max. flood
level
Soil survey
Sources of construction materials, water & location of
stones
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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2. Reconnaissance surveys (Cont..)
Useful checklists:
Design standards
Grading & earthwork
Foundation condition
Geological conditions
Drainage
Right of way
Effect on community
Traffic characteristics & maintenance cost
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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3. Preliminary survey
Objective:
To survey the various alignments proposed & collect all
necessary details of topographic drainage & soil
To compare the different proposals in view of the
requirements of a good alignment
To estimate the quantity of earthwork, material and to
workout the cost of alternative proposals.
To finalize the best alignment from all consideration
Methods:
Conventional method
Aerial photographic method
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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3. Preliminary survey(cont..)
1. Conventional method
Ground survey is carried out
Collect topographical data
Carries out soil survey
Procedures for conventional method:
Primary traverse
Topographic features
Leveling work- CL profiles & X-sections
Drainage- type, number & size of Drainage structurs
Soil survey- slope, pavement type & thickness
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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3. Preliminary survey(cont..)
2. Aerial photography method
It is a modern approach by taking aerial photographs
(proposed corridor) & using photo interpretation
technique to obtain the necessary topographic, soil and
geological data.
Then PS of various alternate alignments, a comparative
is made.
Finally the most suitable alignment is selected.
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
ROUTE SURVEY
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4. Final location survey
Purpose:
To fix the centerline of the selected alignment on the ground and
To collect additional data for the design and preparation of working
drawings.
Features of the final location survey:
Pegging the center line
centerline leveling
X-section leveling
Intersecting road
The direction w.r.t the CL of all intersecting roads should be measured.
Profiles and x- section
Ditches and streams
Profile and X-section leveling helps for location and construction of
culverts and bridges.
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
Example:
Alternative#1
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Alternative #2
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Alternative #3
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Route Selection
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Thank You!
QUESTIONS?
Adama Science and Technology university/Civil Engineering Dept.
