Laying of a COMPUND CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

Table of contents
Introduction

--------------------------------------------------------------2

Objectives and instruments ---------------------------------------------- 3

Procedure and Computation --------------------------------------------4
Preliminary data sheet ----------------------------------------------------5
Sample Computations -----------------------------------------------------6
Sketch -------------------------------------------------------------------------7
Final data sheet -------------------------------------------------------------8
Pictures ----------------------------------------------------------------------10
Research and discussions ------------------------------------------------11
Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------13

Introduction

Laying of a COMPUND CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

A compound curve is consist of two or more consecutive curves that are

tangential. In surveying, a compound curve is a two-arc simple curve having
its centers on the same side of the common tangent at the junction. A
multicompound curve has three or more centers on the same side of the
curve. Though their radii are in the same direction, they are of different
values.
In this field work, we will lay out a compound curve using a theodolite and
tape. From the concepts and techniques we have learned from the simple
curves, we are going to apply them in this field work to lay out two simple
curves having different radius and determine their common tangent.

Objectives:
2

Laying of a COMPUND CURVE USING TRANSIT AND TAPE

1. To be able to lay a compound curve by incremental chords and

deflection angle method.
2. To master the skill in leveling, orienting and using the transit
effectively.
3. To work cooperatively with ones group mates and efficiently perform
the required task.

Instruments:
Tape
Used to measure horizontal
distances as well as slopes. Usually
in 30m, 50m or 100m in length.

A theodolite is a precision
instrument used for
measuring angles both
horizontally and vertically.
Theodolites can rotate along
their horizontal axis as well
as their vertical axis.

Marking pins

2 range poles
Straight round stalks, 3 to 4 cm thick
and about 2 m long. They are made
of wood or metal. They are used to
mark areas and to set out straight lines
on the field. They are also used to mark
points which must be seen from a
distance, in which case a flag may be
attached to improve the visibility.

Procedures:
1. The professor gives the following data:
R1= ____m R2= ____m
I1= ____
I2= ____
Backward Tangent direction: _______ (azimuth or bearing)
Station of the PC: _______ (Preferably not a full station so that
there will
be c1 and c2.
Adopt Full chord length of ___m (Preferably 2m to 5m)
2. Compute the elements of the compound curve given the data above.
3. Set the transit at PC. Level and orient the transit at the magnetic south
while vernier A is at zero reading.
4. Sight the location of vertex V1 following the given direction of the back
tangent T1 and mark the location on the ground at a distance T1 from
PC.
5. Set the horizontal vernier to zero again and start locating intermediate
points of the first curve until you reach PCC using incremental chord
lengths and their deflection angle from the backward tangent.
6. Upon reaching PCC, transfer the instrument at PCC.
7. Again level the instrument and with the telescope inverted position,
sight the V1.
8. After locating V1, plunge the
telescope into the normal position
and locate V2 which is along the line
from V1 to PCC, and at a computed
distance T2 from PCC.
9. Drive a pin directly on V2.
10.
Once again, set the horizontal vernier A at zero reading while
sighting the position of V2.

11.
Using the incremental chord lengths and their deflection angles,
lay intermediate points of the second curve on the ground until you
reach PT.

Preliminary Data Sheet:

Sample Computations:

Sketch:

Final Data Sheet

Field Work 4

Laying of a Compound Curve Using Transit

and Tape
Date: Oct 27, 2015

Group No.: 4

Time: 12pm-4:30pm
Weather: Sunny

Location: Rizal Park

Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied:
R1 = 20m

R2 = 15m

I1 = 30

I2 = 25

Backward Tangent Direction: N15E (azimuth or bearing)

Station of the PC: 9 + 994.64 (Preferably not a full station so that there will be c1 and

c2)

Adopt Full chord length of 3m (Preferably 2m to 5m)

STATION

CENTRAL
INCREMENTAL
ANGLES

DEFLECTION
ANGLES

OCCUPIED

OBSERVED

INCREMENTAL
CHORD

PC

1.36

836

354

836

615

836

1033

836

1451

PCC

0.11

836

019

PCC

0.89

1128

324

1128

726

PT

2.65

1128

108

Computed Length of the Chord c1: 10.47m Actual: 10.59m

Computed Length of the Chord c2: 10.47m Actual: 10.59m
Computed Length of the Compound Chord PC to PT: 16.57m

Computations:

On the 1st curve

c 1=(9+996.00)(9+994.64)=1.36 m

Actual: 16.09m

3
2
D 2 sin 1
=8.6
20

( )

( 180
)=10.47 m
30
T =20 ( tan )=5.36 m
2
Lc =20 30

Deflection Angles:

d 1=2 sin1

1.36
=3.90
2(20)

d 1+ D
=6.25
2
d 1+2 D
=10.55
2
d 1+3 D
=14.85
2
PCC=( 9+ 994.64 ) + ( 0+ 010.47 )=10+005.11
c 2=( 10+005.11 )( 10+005 )=0.11 m

d 2=2 sin1

0.11
=0.32
2(20)

On the 2nd curve

c 1=( 10+006.00 )( 10+005.11 ) =0.89 m

3
2
D 2 sin1
=11.48
15

( )

( 180
)=6.54 m
25
T =15 ( tan )=3.33 m
2
Lc =15 25

Deflection Angles:

d 1=2 sin1

0.89
=3.40
2(15)

d 1+ D
=7.44
2

PT= (10+ 005.11 ) + ( 0+006.54 )=10+ 011.65

c 2=( 10+011.65 )( 10+009 )=2.65 m

d 2=2 sin1

2.65
=10.14
2(15)

computed PC PT = 10.472 +6.54 2[ ( 2 ) ( 10.47 ) ( 6.54 ) cos 153 ]=16.57 m

Pictures:

Locating the PI of the first

curve to be used as a
reference to layout the
common tangent of the two
curves.

Laying out the first point on the curve of the first curve.

Locating the PCC.

Laying out the first point on the

second curve.

Research and
Discussions:
Compound curves are combination
of two or more simple circular
curves of different radius having
their curvature in the same
direction. Also, it is made up of a
series of successive tangent
circular arcs. Essentially, a
compound curve consists of two
curves that are joined at a point of
tangency and are located on the
same side of a common tangent.
Though their radii are in the same
direction, they are of different
values.
Elements of
Compound
Curves:

PC
=

point of curvature

PT = point of tangency

PI = point of intersection

PCC = point of compound curves

T1 = Length of tangent of the first curve

T2 = length of tangent of the second curve

V1 = vertex of the first curve

V2 = vertex of the second curve

I1 = central angle of first curve

I2 = central angle of second curve

I angle of intersection = I1 + I2

Lc1 = length of the first curve

Lc2 = length of the second curve

L1 = length of the first chord

L2 = length of the second chord

T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measure from V1 to V2

= 180 I

X and Y can be found triangle V1-V2-PI

L can be found from the triangle PC-PCC-PT

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Sta PT=Sta PC+Lc1+Lc2

Given the stationing of PI

Sta PT=Sta PIxT1+Lc1+Lc2

All problems of compund curves can be solved by:

Sine Law
Cosine Law
A five-sided traverse with sides R, T,T,R, and (R-R) and with angles
90, 180-, 90, 180- and .
For simlplification, set the assumed azimuth, the direction of r1 to
(000 00).

Conclusion:
Another type of horizontal curve is a compound curve which is consist if two
or more simple curves having different radii which is connected by a
common tangent and curving on the same direction. Owing to the inequality
of their tangent distances, compound curves permit the fitting of a location
to the topography with much greater refinement than do simple curves.
Conditions often occur in railroad and highway loaction where the changes in
direction between establishwed tangents can only be accomplished
economically by compound curves. This is true in mountainous terrain or
along a large river winding close to a rock bluff.
The flexibility of compound curves may tempt the locating engineer to use
them merely to reduce grading quatities or to expedite the field work. This is
not good practice, as it complicates design details related to superelavation
and introduces certain permanent operating disadvantages. A compund
curve should not be used where a compund curve is practicable. If a large
difference in radii cannot be avoided, use a combinig spiral.
In the field work, the actual long chord is much large than the computed long
chord of the compound curve. This is due to the errors of laying out the two
simple curves. Error are from taping and locating the points on the curve.
Small errors laying out the two simple curves will result to a large error in
getting the long chord of the compound curve. That is why as much as
posibble, do not use compund curve in laying out curves in highways,
railroads, etc. if you can use simple curves. Unless, if it cannot be done by
simple curves due to long dintances, inacessible points, terrain structures,
etc, it is good to use compound curves because it is economical and flexible.