SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE

ENGR. J BENEDICT MELGAR

 PARABOLIC CURVE
PARABOLIC CURVE - Unlike Simple Curve, Compound, Reversed and Spiral Curves which are all horizontal type of
curves and formulas were derived from circular curve, parabolic curve on the other hand is a vertical curve and uses
the principles of parabola instead of circle. It is divided into symmetrical, unsymmetrical or compound and reversed
parabolic curve.
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 curve is adopted on account of its slope which varies at constant
rate with respect to horizontal distances.
 GRADE / GRADIENT

A Gradient is a dimensionless number:

Gradient = =m
r %
mo rise

run

Gradient are usually expressed in percentage

 GRADE / GRADIENT

Gradient RISING from left to right are POSITIVE GRADIENT :

+g %

Gradient FALLING from left to right are NEGATIVE GRADIENT :

-g %
 TYPES OF VERTICAL CURVES
Summit Curves: Vertical Curves where the total change in gradient is Negative

A% = G2 – G1
-2.5
% %
+1.4
-3.0%
% .5 % -5.
3 .5 + 3 0%
+

A% = +1.4% - (+3.5%) = -2.1% A% = -3.0% - (+3.5%) = -6.5% A% = -5.0% - (- 2.5%) = -2.5%

 TYPES OF VERTICAL CURVES
Sag Curves: Vertical Curves where the total change in gradient is Positive

A% = G2 – G1

-2.

%
% -4.
+1.5

.0
5% 5%

+4
-1.0%
+1.0%

A% = +1.5% - (-3.5%) = +4.0% A% = -1.0% - (- 4.0%) = +3.5% A% = 4.0% - (- 1.0%) = +3.0%

 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE

PI
-g % The length of the parabolic
+g % curve “L” is the horizontal
distance between PC to PT

PC PT
L
 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE

L/2 L/2

PI
-g % PI is midway between PC to PT
+g %

PC PT

For Symmetrical Parabolic Curve, From PC to PI and

PI to PT is half of the length of the vertical curve
 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE

g 1%
rise g =
L/2 L/2 a
run
PI
H -g % 𝑎
+g % b 𝐿
g1 = a = g1( )
H 𝐿/2 2
run
PC PT

g2 rise
L %

𝑏 𝐿
g2 = b = g2( )
𝐿/2 2
 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE
run

g 1%
L/2 𝐿
L/2 a = g1( ) rise g = g2 rise
2 %

x PI run
y H -g % 𝐿 𝑏 𝐿
+g % b = g2( ) g2 = b = g2( )
2 𝑎 𝐿 𝐿/2 2
H g1 =
𝐿/2 a = g1( )
PC 2
PT

By Similar Triangle or Ratio and Proportion:

Squared Properties of Parabola:
8𝐻
𝐿 𝐿 = (𝑔1 + 𝑔2)
2𝐻
=
𝑔1 2 + 𝑔2 (2) 𝐿 𝑥! 𝐿 !
𝐿/2 𝐿 = 2
𝑦 𝐻
8H = 𝐿 (𝑔1 + 𝑔2)
2𝐻 𝑔1 𝑔2
= + ( )
𝐿/2 2 2
The offset from the tangent to the curve at a point are proportional
𝐿
2𝐻 H = (𝑔1 + 𝑔2) to the squares of the horizontal distance from the point
= 1 8
(𝑔 + 𝑔2)
𝐿/2 2 1

4𝐻
= (𝑔1 + 𝑔2)
𝐿
2
 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE
run

g 1%
L/2 L/2 𝐿
a = g1( ) rise g = g2 rise
2 %
S PI run
y H -g % 𝐿 𝑏 𝐿
+g % b = g2( ) g2 = b = g2( )
2 𝑎 𝐿 𝐿/2 2
H g1 = a = g1( )
PC 𝐿/2 2
PT

Computing the location of the highest/lowest point of the parabolic curve, S:

General equation of Parabola: 𝑔1 2Sk

=
S2 = -ay 𝑔2 2 (L−S) k
S2 = -ky 𝑔1 S
=
y= -S2 k 𝑔2 (L−S)
"#
= -2Sk 𝑔1(L-S) = 𝑔2 (S)
"$ S= L %!
L𝑔1 – S𝑔1 = S𝑔2 (%! + %")
𝑔1 = -2Sk 𝑔2 = -2(L-S) k
L𝑔1 = S𝑔2 +S𝑔1
S L-S 𝑔1 2Sk
=
𝑔2 2 (L−S) k L𝑔1 = S(𝑔1 + 𝑔2)
 ELEMENTS OF A SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL CURVE
run

g 1%
L/2 𝐿
L/2 a = g1( ) rise g = g2 rise
2 %
PI
s run
H -g % 𝐿 𝑏 𝐿
c
+g % b = g2( ) g2 = b = g2( )
2 𝑎 𝐿 𝐿/2 2
H g1 =
𝐿/2 a = g1( )
PC 2
PT

L
+g1 L-S
S
g2

Other Derivation of location of the highest/lowest of the parabolic curve, S:

𝑆 𝐿−𝑆
=
g1 g2
𝑔1(L-S) = 𝑔2 (S)
S= L !#
L𝑔1 – S𝑔1 = S𝑔2 (!# + !$)
L𝑔1 = S𝑔2 +S𝑔1
L𝑔1 = S(𝑔1 + 𝑔2)
PROBLEM 1

The back tangent with grade of +3.4 % and forward tangent with grade of -4.8 % intersects at station 14+750
and elevation 76.3m. The two tangents are connected by a 320 m parabolic curve.
a. Find the location of the highest point from PC.
b. Compute the stationing of the highest point of the curve.
c. Determine the elevation of the highest point.

Sta. 14+750
Elev. 76.3 m
PI

+3.4 % -4.8 %
PT
PC

320 m
 Sta. 14+750
Elev. 76.3 m
PI
b
y H
+3.4 % -4.8 %
H.P. H PT
PC
27.317

320 m
S L-S
 Sta. 14+750
Elev. 76.3 m
160 PI

+3.4 % H.P. -4.8 %

a
PT
PC

320 m

3.4 %
320 - S
S
4.8 %
A descending grade of 6% and an ascending grade of 2% intersect at Sta 12 + 200 whose elevation is at
14.375 m. The two grades are to be connected by a parabolic curve, 160 m long. Find the elevation of the
first quarter point on the curve.

160 m

40 m

P
-6.
0%

PI
+2.0 %

Elev. 14.375 m
Sta. 12+200
 80 m

160 m

40 m

-6. P
0%
y

a
+2.0 %
40
Elev. 14.375 m
Sta. 12+200
 80 m

160 m
PC

-6. P
0%
a PT

80 m
+2.0 %

Elev. 14.375 m
Sta. 12+200

40 m

80 m
2.0 %
S

g L-S
6.0 %
PROBLEM 3

A symmetrical parabolic vertical curve connects to two grades +6% and -3% and is passing thru point A. The
Station of Point A is 5+225 and has an elevation of 198 meters. If the elevation of the intersection of grades is
200 meters with stationing of 5+245. Determine the following:
Sta. 5+245
a) Length of the Curve Elev. 200 m
PI
b) Stationing of PC and PT
c) Elevation of PC and PT
-3.0
d) Location of the highest point of the curve 6.0
% A %
PT
Sta. 5+225
Elev. 198 m
PC

L/2 L/2
PROBLEM 3

A symmetrical parabolic vertical curve connects to two grades +6% and -3% and is passing thru point A. The
Station of Point A is 5+225 and has an elevation of 198 meters. If the elevation of the intersection of grades is
200 meters with stationing of 5+245. Determine the following:

a) Length of the Curve

b) Stationing of PC and PT
c) Elevation of PC and PT
d) Location of the highest point of the curve

Sta. 5+245
Elev. 200 m
PI
a
B
y -3.0
% %
6.0 A
PT
Sta. 5+225
Elev. 198 m
PC x

L/2 L/2
PROBLEM 3

A symmetrical parabolic vertical curve connects to two grades +6% and -3% and is passing thru point A. The
Station of Point A is 5+225 and has an elevation of 198 meters. If the elevation of the intersection of grades is
200 meters with stationing of 5+245. Determine the following:

a) Length of the Curve

b) Stationing of PC and PT
c) Elevation of PC and PT
d) Location of the highest point of the curve

Sta. 5+245
Elev. 200 m
PI
a
B
-3.0
% y %
6.0 A
PT
Sta. 5+225
Elev. 198 m
PC x

L/2 L/2