Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2022-2023
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bayombong Campus
DEGREE BSCE COURSE NO. CE 10
PROGRAM
SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE ENGINEERING SURVEYS
YEAR LEVEL 4 TIME FRAME 3 hr WK NO. 13 IM NO. 11
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE
Unit 11
II. LESSON TITLE
VERTICAL CURVES: Parabolic Curves
III. LESSON OVERVIEW
Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Parabolic Curves
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES
To be able to compute vertical curves problems
V. LESSON CONTENT
VERTICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
Vertical curves are used in highway and street vertical alignment to provide a gradual change between
two adjacent grade lines. In highway practice, abrupt change in the vertical direction of moving vehicles
should be avoided. In order to provide gradual change in its vertical direction, a parabolic vertical curve
is adopted on account of its slope which varies at constant rate with respect to horizontal distances.
Note: “Chainage” refers to the “Stationing” of a point.
VERTICAL CURVE TERMINOLOGY: SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
slope (percentage) of the lower chainage grade line or
g1
grade (in percent) of back tangent (tangent through BVC)
slope of the higher chainage grade line or
g2
grade (in percent) of forward tangent (tangent through EVC)
BVC beginning of the vertical curve
EVC end of the vertical curve
PVI point of intersection of the two adjacent grade lines
The length of vertical curve is the projection of the curve onto a horizontal surface
L
and, as such, corresponds to plan distance.
The algebraic change in slope direction where A = g2 – g1. For example, if g1 = +1.5
A
percent and g2 = –3.2 percent, A would be equal to (–3.2 – 1.5) = –4.7.
S1 horizontal distance from BVC to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
S2 horizontal distance from EVC to the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag) curve
vertical distance between BVC and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag)
h1
curve
vertical distance between EVC and the highest (lowest) point of the summit (sag)
h2
curve
a vertical distance between BVC and PVI
b vertical distance between EVC and PVI
H vertical distance between PVI and the curve
The geometric curve used in vertical alignment design is the vertical axis parabola. The parabola has
the desirable characteristics of (1) a constant rate of change of slope, which contributes to a smooth
alignment transition, and (2) ease of computation of vertical offsets, which permits easily computed
curve elevations. The general equation of the parabola is
y = ax2 + bx + c
The slope of this curve at any point is given by the first derivative:
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Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2022-2023
and the rate of change of slope is given by the second derivative:
which is a constant, as we noted previously. The rate of change of slope (2a) can also be written as
A/L.
If, for convenience, the origin of the axes is placed at the BVC (Figure 2), the general equation
becomes
and because the slope at the origin is g1, the expression for the slope of the curve at any
point becomes
The final general equation can be written as
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Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2022-2023
GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE PARABOLA
1. The difference in elevation between the BVC and a point on the g1 grade line at a distance x unit
(meters) is g1x (g1 is expressed as a decimal).
2. The tangent offset between the grade line and the curve is given by ax2, where x is the horizontal
distance from the BVC; that is, tangent offsets are proportional to the squares of the horizontal
distances.
3. The elevation of a crest curve at distance x from the BVC is given by BVC + g1x – ax2 = curve
elevation. (The sign is reversed in a sag curve.)
4. The grade lines (g1 and g2) intersect midway between the BVC and the EVC; that is, BVC to V = 1/2
L = V to EVC.
5. Offsets from the two grade lines are symmetrical with respect to the PVI.
6. The curve lies midway between the PVI and the midpoint of the chord; that is, H.
COMPUTATION OF A HIGH OR LOW POINT ON THE VERTICAL CURVE
1. The locations of curve high and low points (if applicable) are important for drainage considerations;
for example, on curbed streets, catch basins must be installed precisely at the drainage low point.
We noted earlier that the slope was given by
2. It is obvious that the tangent line is horizontal at the highest or lowest point with a slope of zero; that
is,
3. Since 2a = A/L, the equation 0 = 2ax +g1 can be rewritten as
( )
where x is the distance from the BVC to the high or low point.
COMPUTING A VERTICAL CURVE
Use the following procedure for computing a vertical curve:
a) Compute the algebraic difference in grades: A = g2 – g1.
b) Compute the chainage of the BVC and EVC. If the chainage of the PVI is known, ½(L) is simply
subtracted and added to the PVI chainage.
c) Compute the distance from the BVC to the high or low point (if applicable) using the equation below
and determine the station of the high/low point.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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( )
d) Compute the tangent grade-line elevation of the BVC and the EVC.
e) Compute the tangent grade-line elevation for each required station.
f) Compute the midpoint of the chord elevation:
g) Compute the tangent offset H at the PVI
h) Compute the tangent offset for each individual station
( ⁄ )
where x is the distance from the BVC or EVC (whichever is closer) to the required station.
i) Compute the elevation on the curve at each required station by combining the tangent offsets with
the appropriate tangent grade-line elevations. Add for sag curves and subtract for crest curves.
EXAMPLE
1. You are given the following information: L = 91.46 m, g1 = –3.2%, g2 = +1.8%, PVI at 0 + 923.78
with elevation = 142.05 m. Determine the location of the low point and the elevations on the curve
at even stations, as well as at the low point.
Figure 2
a. Compute the algebraic difference in grades: A = g2 – g1. (Sag Curve)
( )
b. Compute the chainage of the BVC and EVC. If the chainage of the PVI is known, ½(L) is simply
subtracted and added to the PVI chainage.
Sta BVC = Sta PVI – ½ L = (0+923.78) – 45.73 = 0+878.05
Sta EVC = Sta PVI + ½ L = (0+923.78) + 45.73 = 0+969.51
c. Compute the distance from the BVC to the high or low point (if applicable) using the equation below
and determine the station of the high/low point.
( ) ( )( ) ( )
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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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Sta Low Point = Sta BVC + x = (0+878.05) + 58.53 = 0+936.58
d. Compute the tangent grade-line elevation of the BVC and the EVC.
a = g1(L/2) = 0.032(45.73) = 1.46 m
Elevation BVC = Elev PVI + a = 142.05 + 1.46 = 143.51 m
b = g2(L/2) = 0.018(45.73) = 0.82 m
Elevation EVC = Elev PVI + b = (142.05) + 0.82 = 142.87 m
e. Compute the tangent grade-line elevation for each required station.
STATION g x TANGENT ELEV Remarks
0+878.05 0.032 0 143.51 BVC
0+880 0.032 1.95 143.45 Even station
0+900 0.032 21.95 142.81 Even station
0+920 0.032 41.95 142.17 Even station
0+923.78 0.032 45.73 142.05 PVI
0+936.58 0.018 32.93 142.28 Lowest point
0+940 0.018 29.51 142.34 Even station
0+960 0.018 9.51 142.70 Even station
0+969.51 0.018 0 142.87 EVC
f. Compute the midpoint of the chord elevation:
g. Compute the tangent offset H at the PVI
h. Compute the tangent offset for each individual station
TANGENT CURVE
STATION TANGENT OFFSETS
ELEV ELEV
BVC 0+878.05 143.51 (0/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.000 143.510
0+880 143.45 (1.95/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.001 143.451
0+900 142.81 (21.95/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.131 142.941
0+920 142.17 (41.95/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.480 142.650
PVI 0+923.78 142.05 (45.73/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.570 142.620
LOW PT. 0+936.58 142.28 (32.93/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.296 142.576
0+940 142.34 (29.51/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.237 142.577
0+960 142.70 (9.51/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.025 142.725
EVC 0+969.51 142.87 (0/45.73)² x 0.57 = 0.000 142.870
i. Compute the elevation on the curve at each required station by combining the tangent offsets with
the appropriate tangent grade-line elevations. Add for sag curves and subtract for crest curves. (see
section h)
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Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2022-2023
COMPUTING THE VERTICAL CURVE USING THE GRADE DIAGRAM
The use of the Grade Diagram is analogous to the shear and moment diagrams you used in
Engineering Mechanics. The grade diagram is the shear diagram and the parabolic curve is the
moment diagram. The following are the properties of the grade diagram:
1. The grades (in decimal form) will be plotted as the shear values.
2. Horizontal distances on the grade diagram (e.g. S1 on example 2) is found by ratio and proportion.
3. The change in elevation between two points on the curve is equal to the area of the grade diagram
between such points.
4. The point of zero grade on the diagram is the highest or lowest point on the curve.
EXAMPLE
2. A 3% grade at station 10+100m is to be connected to a -2% grade at station 10+420m using
symmetrical parabolic curve. If the tangent grades intersect at elevation 152m, evaluate the
following:
a. The location and elevation of the summit.
b. The elevation and grade of the curve at station 10+200m.
c. The elevation of EVC or PT.
Note: The link for the video of this example is: https://youtu.be/Qp0xGUmDa7M courtesy of GERTC
Solution:
a. Plot the curve and draw the grade diagram. If S1 is the distance of the summit from the BVC or
PT,
Stationing of the Summit = (10+100) + 192 = 10+292m
h1 = g1(L/2) = 0.03(160) = 4.8m
Elevation of PC = Elev PI – h1 = 152 – 4.8 = 147.2m
yD = A1 = ½ (0.03)(192) = 2.88m
Elevation of Summit = Elev PC + yD = 147.2 + 2.88 = 150.08m
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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2022-2023
b. The elevation and grade of the curve at station 10+200m.
If gE is the grade at station 10+200m,
Let A2 be the area between E and D on the diagram
A2 = ½ (0.01438)(92) = 0.661m
Elevation of E = Elev D – A2 = 150.08 – 0.661 = 149.419m
c. The elevation of EVC or PT.
Elevation of PT = 152 – (0.02)(160) = 148.8m
THE UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE OR THE COMPOUND PARABOLIC CURVE
An unsymmetrical vertical curve is a curve in which the horizontal distance from the PVI to the BVC is
different from the horizontal distance between the PVI and the EVC. In other words, L1 does NOT equal
L2. It consists of at least two symmetrical parabolas. Like compound circular curves compound
parabolic curves has a common tangent and a Point of Common Curvature (PCC)
The vertical distance between PVI and PCC is denoted as H or e
( )
( )
By the squared property of parabola,
EXAMPLE
3. A -4% grade of Sta. 5+700 and elev. 110.2m is to connect to a +6% grade at Sta. 6+100 and elev.
105.2.
a. Determine the elevation and grade of the point of common curve
b. Determine the location of the point of vertical intersection.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
VII. EVALUATION (Note: Not to be included in the student’s copy of the IM)
VIII. ASSIGNMENT
1. Given the following vertical curve data: PVI at 0+725.712, L = 100 m, g 1 = –3.2%, g2 = +1.8%, and
elevation of PVI = 210.440, compute the elevations of the curve low point and even 20-m stations.
2. Given two grades intersecting at station 1 + 250m, one grade at +6%, the other at -3%. Use a
vertical curve of 183m composed of two sections, L1 of 121.95m and L2 of 61.05m. Find the
elevation on the curve at station 1 + 220 and at station 1 + 280.
3. In example 3, determine the stationing and elevation of the lowest point.
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IX. REFERENCES
1. Surveying and Levelling by N. N. Basak , Tata McGraw Hill.
2. Surveying: Theory and Practice by James M. Anderson, Edward M. Mikhail, Tata McGraw Hill.
3. Principles & Application of Surveying, Kavanagh
4. Elementary Surveying, La Putt
5. Higher Surveying, La Putt
6. Surveying Fundamentals, McCormac
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