Simple Curve

A simple curve is a circular arc, extending from one tangent to the next. The point where the
curve leaves the first tangent is called the “point of curvature” (P.C.) and the point where the curve joins
the second tangent is called the “point of tangency” (P.T.). The P.C. and P.T. are often called the tangent
points. If the tangent be produced, they will meet in a point of intersection (P.I.) called the “vertex”. The
distance from the vertex to the P.C. or P.T. is called the “tangent distance”. The distance from the vertex
to the curve is called the “external distance” (measured towards the center of curvature). While the line
joining the middle of the curve and the middle of the chord line joining the P.C. and P.T. is called the
“middle ordinate”.

Sharpness of the curve is expressed in any of the three ways

1. Degree of Curve: (Arc Basis)

Degree of curve is the angle at the center subtended by an arc of 20 m. is the metric system or
100 ft. in the English system. This is the method generally used in Highway practice.

Metric System English System

By ratio and proportion By ratio and proportion

20 m. 2 πR 100 ft . 2 πR
= =
D 360° D 360 °

( 20 ) (360) ( 100 ) (360)

R= R=
2 πD 2 πD
1145.916 5729.578
R= R=
D D

2. Degree of Curve: (Chord Basis)

Degree of curve is the angle subtended by a chord of 20 m. in Metric system or 100 ft. in English
system.

Metric System English System

Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam

By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.
 By Trigonometric Function By Trigonometric Function

sin ( D2 )= 10R sin ( D2 )= 50R

10 50
R= R=
D D
sin ( )
2
sin( )
2

3. Radius = Length of radius is stated.

Elements of a simple curve

P.C. = point of curvature

P.T. = point of tangency
P.I. = point of intersection
R = radius of the curve
D = degree of the curve
T = tangent distance
I = angle of intersection
E = external distance
M = middle ordinate
LC = length of curve = arc distance from PC to PT
C = long chord = straight distance from PC to PT
c 1∧c 2 = sub-chord
d 1∧d2 = sub-angle

Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam

By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.
 Tangent Distance

tan ( 2I )= TR
T =R tan ( 2I )
External Distance

cos ( 2I )= R+R E
R
R+ E ¿
cos ( 2I )
Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam
By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.
 R
E¿ −R
I
cos
2 ()
1
E ¿ ( R)
[ cos
I
()
2
−1
]
E=( R ) sec
[ ( 2I )−1 ]
Middle Ordinate

cos ( 2I )= R−M
R

( R ) cos ( 2I )=R−M
I
[ ( )]
M ¿ R−¿ ( R ) cos
2
¿

I
[ ( )]
M ¿ ( R ) 1−cos
2

Length of Chord

sin ( 2I )= CR/2
( R ) sin ( 2I )=C /2
C=2 ( R ) sin ( 2I )
Length of Curve

Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam

By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.
 Metric System English System

LC 20 LC 100
= =
I D I D

20 ( I ) 10 0 ( I )
LC = LC =
D D

Sub-Arc

Metric System English System

l c 20
1
l c 100
1
= =
d1 D d1 D

D ( lc ) D (lc )
d 1=
1
in degrees d 1=
1
in degrees
20 100

D ( lc ) D ( lc )
d 1= ( 60 ' )
1
d 1= ( 60 ' )
1

20 100

d 1=( 3 )( D ) ( l c ) in minutes
1
d 1=( 0.6 )( D ) ( l c ) in minutes
1

Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam

By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.
 Sub-Chord

Metric System English System

d1 c d1 c
sin ( )
2
= 1
2R
sin ( )
2
= 1
2R

c1 c1
2 R= 2 R=
sin ( d2 )
1 eq.1
sin
d1
( )
2
eq.1

sin ( D2 )= 220R sin ( D2 )= 100

2R

20 100
2 R= 2 R=
D eq.2 D eq.2
sin
2( ) sin
2 ( )
Subs. eq.1 into eq.2 Subs. eq.1 into eq.2

c1 20 c1 100
= =
sin ( d2 ) ( )
1
sin
D
2 sin ( d2 ) ( )
1
sin
D
2

d1

c 1=
[ ( )]
( 20 ) sin
2
c 1=
[ ( )]
( 100 ) sin
d1
2
D
sin
2( ) sin ( D2 )

Source: SURVEYING for CIVIL and GEODETIC Licensure Exam

By: Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.