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Superelevation Example Problem

The document provides details for calculating superelevation requirements for a curve on a 4-lane divided highway with a 70 mph design speed. Given information about the curve geometry, grade, and beginning centerline elevation, the calculations determine: 1) The stations where superelevation transition length begins, reverse crown occurs, and full superelevation is reached. 2) Elevations at the pivot point, centerline, and outside edge of pavement at these locations and the first full station after transition begins. 3) A table summarizing the results and a diagram illustrating the superelevation distribution.

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Kevin
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2K views

Superelevation Example Problem

The document provides details for calculating superelevation requirements for a curve on a 4-lane divided highway with a 70 mph design speed. Given information about the curve geometry, grade, and beginning centerline elevation, the calculations determine: 1) The stations where superelevation transition length begins, reverse crown occurs, and full superelevation is reached. 2) Elevations at the pivot point, centerline, and outside edge of pavement at these locations and the first full station after transition begins. 3) A table summarizing the results and a diagram illustrating the superelevation distribution.

Uploaded by

Kevin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem 1:

1. You’re designing a horizontal curve for a 4-lane, divided highway with a design speed of 70 mph and a
median width of 60 feet. Early in your design, you decided that you wanted no curve sharper than 2 o
30’, and for the curve in question, you’ve decided to implement a curve of 2 o 30’. The final roadway will
have a pivot point grade of positive 3.0000%, and the curve turns left as you look upstation. The
centerline elevation of the PC is 426.77 feet at station 161 + 55.90.

We will use the ALDOT Standard Superelevation of Curves handout; specifically, we will use the example
for Divided (Bifurcated) Highways where the Median Width Varies (Traveled Ways with Edge Pivots.)
Using the Alabama DOT handout, please calculate the required elevations (at the pivot point, at the
centerline of the 2 lanes in question, and at the outside edge of pavement) for the right hand side
roadways as they go into superelevation for the locations listed below:

 At the point where superelevation transition length (STL) begins


 At the point where reverse crown (RC) takes place
 At the point where full superelevation first takes place

Please note: the example problem we worked in class was for a curve to the right, so you’ll have to
modify the drawing accordingly.

The stations where the STL begins, the station where RC takes place, and the station where full
superelevation first takes place will not necessarily be at even stations. So, in addition to those three
spots, I would also like you to calculate the required elevations at the first full station past the point
where STL begins.

At the end of your work, please put your answers into a table as we did with the example problem in
class.

Given:

 4-lane, divided highway


 Design speed = 70 mph
 Median width = 60 ft
 Curve = 2o 30’
 Pivot-point grade = +3.0000%
 Curve turns left as one looks up-station
 Center-line elevation at PC = 426.77 ft
 PC Station = 161 + 55.90
 Calculate using the right-hand side of the roadway

Solution:

→ ¿ ALDOT handout using 70 mph∧curve 2° 30' for a 4−lane divided highway :

e=7.5 % , STL=340

→ ¿ equations 1−5∈the ALDOT handout :

1. g=d × f → ¿ the Gradients for STL table , for V =70 mph , d=250

¿ the “Gradient Adjustment ” table , for two lanesrotated , f =0.75

g=250× 0.75=187.50

w ×2 × ( + NCS ) × n1 12 ×2 ×2 ×1
2. z1 = = =0.48 ft
100 100

w ×(e−NCS) × n 12 ×(7.5−2)× 2
z 2= = =1.32 ft
100 100

z=z 1 + z 2=0.48+1.32=1.80 ft

3. Last NC station=PC−0.8 STL=16155.90−( 0.8 ) ( 340 )=15883.90=158+83.90 sta

4. RC station=NC + ( z 1 × g ) =15883.90+ ( 0.48 ) ( 187.50 )=15973.90=159+73.90 sta

5. First full e station=NC + STL=15883.90+340=16223.9=162+23.90 sta

First full station after point where STL begins=159+00.00 sta

Calculations for the elevations of Pivot Point ( PP ) ,Center −line ( CL ) ,

¿ Outside ¿ ¿ Edge ( ℜ ) of the pavement :


Last NC Station:

PPelev =426.77+ ( 15883.90−16155.90 ) ( 0.03 ) =418.61 ft

CLelev =418.61+ ( 12 ×0.02 ) =418.85 ft

ℜelev =¿ PP elev =418.61 ft

RC Station:

PP=426.77+ ( 15973.90−16155.90 ) ( 0.03 )=421.31 ft

CL=421.31+ ( 12 ×0.02 ) =421.55 ft

ℜ=421.31+ ( 24 × 0.02 )=421.79 ft

First Full e Station:

PP=426.77+ ( 16223.90−16155.90 ) ( 0.03 )=428.81 ft

CL=428.81+ ( 12 ×0.075 )=429.71 ft

ℜ=428.81+ ( 24 × 0.075 )=430.61 ft

First Even Station After Point Where STL Begins :

PP=418.61+ (15900.00−15883.90 ) ( 0.03 )=419.09 ft

CL=418.85+[ ( 15900.00−15883.90 ) /(15973.90−15883.90)](421.55−418.85)=419.33 ft

ℜ=418.61+[ ( 15900.00−15883.90 ) /(15973.90−15883.90)]( 421.79−418.61)=419.18 ft

Summary Table:

Pivot-Point Elevation Right-End Elevation


Station Center-Line Elevation (ft)
  (ft) (ft)
158+83.9
Last NC 0 418.61 418.85 418.61
159+00.0
  0 419.09 419.33 419.18
159+73.9
RC 0 421.31 421.55 421.79
First Full 162+23.9
e 0 428.81 429.71 430.61
CL
2% 2%
Last NC:
158+83.90 sta PP RE

16.1’

CL
90.00’
159+00.00 sta RE
2%
PP

73.90’
2%
RC: CL RE
159+73.90 sta 2%

PP

7.5% RE
250.00’
First Full e:
7.5% CL
162+23.90 sta
PP

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