VERTICAL

PARABOLIC
GROUP 2 | HIGHWAY & RAILROAD ENGINEERING

CURVE
OVERVIEW
01
INTRODUCTION
APORTO | MAGLASANG

02
FUNDAMENTALS OF VERTICAL CURVE
ONG UY | TOMADA

03
TYPES OF VERTICAL CURVE
SOLIBAGA | MARAMARA

04
VERTICAL CURVE FORMULA & SAMPLE PROBLEMS
LAURANILLA | BILBAO | CARTECIANO | GIDO | CORPIN
 1 VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
DEFINITION | IMPORTANCE

2 VERTICAL CURVE
DEFINITION | USES

INTRODUCTI
ERTICAL ALIGNMENT
ON ROADWAYS AND RAILWAYS

• The vertical alignment of a road consists of

gradients (straight lines in a vertical plane) and
vertical curves. The vertical alignment is
usually drawn as a profile, which is a graph
with elevation as vertical axis and the
horizontal distance along the center line of the
road as the horizontal axis.

• Vertical alignment means the direction it

follows in a vertical plane including the level
track, gradients, and vertical curves.
HY IS IT IMPORTANT?
• It affects the operating decisions such as travel
time and tractive and braking energy
consumption.
VERTICAL CURVES
• Vertical curves are the curves used in a
vertical plane to provide a smooth transition
between the grade lines of highways and
railroads.

• The design of the curve is dependent on the

intended design speed for the roadway, as
well as other factors including drainage,
slope, acceptable rate of change, and friction.
SES OF VERTICAL CURVES
• Vertical curves are used in highway and
street vertical alignment to provide a gradual
change between two adjacent grade lines

• It is used to avoid impact and maintain a good

visibility

• It is used to provide a safe and comfortable

ride for vehicles on a roadway or highway.
 1 COMPONENTS OF VERTICAL CURVES
DEFINITION

2 VERTICAL CURVE EQUATION

FUNDAMENT
ALS OF
VERTICAL
 Parabolic Curve
Mathematically, any point on a parabolic curve can
be described using the equation

y = ax² + bx + c

where:

a , b = consta nts, ca n be + or -

c = y intercept (point a t which para bola

crosses y-axis)
Vertical Curve Equation
For any point on the parabolic
curve,

Y = ax² + bx +
c
 Vertical Curve Equation
For any point on the parabolic Y = ax ^ 2 + bx
curve: +c

where:

a = (G₂ - G₁) / 2L

b = entrance grade (%) = g₁

c = PVC elevation = PVI

elevation - g₁ (L/ 2)

x = horizontal distance along

stationing axis to any given
point on the curve.
 External Distance
It is common practice to show the value of the external distance (e) for
vertical curves on profile drawings. To calculate e:

1.) At the PVI, x = L/ 2,

2.) So, e=y=
ax²
3.) e = [(G₂ - G₁) / 2L] (L/ 2)² = (G₂ - G ₁) (L²) /
2L(4)
4.) Simplifying, e = AL/ 8 where A = | G₁ -
 1 CREST CURVE
TYPE I | TYPE II

2 SAG CURVE
TYPE III | TYPE IV

3 SYMMETRICAL CURVE

4 UNSYMMETRICAL CURVE

TYPES OF
VERTICAL
CURVE
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VERTICAL
CURVE
CREST / SUMMIT
VERTICAL
TYPE I | TYPE II CURVE

⌞ Curves that connect inclined section of

roadway, forming a crest.

SAG VERTICAL
CURVE
TYPE III | TYPE IV

⌞ Curves that connect descending grades,

forming a bowl or a sag.
SITUATIONS IN A VERTICAL
CURVE
SYMMETRICAL VERTICAL
CURVE
A symmetrical vertical curve is one in
which the horizontal distance from the
PVI to the PVC is equal to the horizontal
distance from the PVI to the PVT. In
other words, L1 is equals to L2.
SITUATIONS IN A VERTICAL
CURVE
UNSYMMETRICAL
VERTICAL CURVE Vertical Curve. An
• Also known as Asymmetrical
unsymmetrical vertical curve is a curve in which
the horizontal distance from the PVI to the PVC
is different from the horizontal distance between
the PVI and the PVT. In other words, L1 is NOT
equal L2. 

• Unsymmetrical curves are sometimes described

as having unequal tangents and are referred to as
dog legs. 
SYMMETRICAL VS
ASYMMETRICAL
DIFFEREN SIMILARI
CE TY
When cut into half, symmetrical vertical Shares the same elements such as PVC,
01 curves are the same, unlike asymmetrical
vertical curves.
01 PVT, PVI and gradients.

The length of gradient 1 and 2 are not the Both uses the same techniques in finding
02 same in asymmetrical vertical curves. 02 their respective formula.
 1 DERIVATION OF FORMULA

2 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
SYMMETRICAL | ASYMMETRICAL

VERTICAL
CURVE
FORMULA W/
EXAMPLE NO. 1
A descending grade of 6% and an ascending grade of 2% intersect at Sta 12 + 200 km whose
elevation is at 14.375 m. The two grades are to be connected by a symmetrical parabolic curve,
160 m long. Find the elevation of the first quarter point on the curve.
EXAMPLE NO. 1
A descending grade of 6% and an ascending grade of 2% intersect at Sta 12 + 200 km whose
elevation is at 14.375 m. The two grades are to be connected by a symmetrical parabolic curve,
160 m long. Find the elevation of the first quarter point on the curve.

Solution:
80 80
40

PC
Q PT
-6%
2%

PI
Sta 12+200
Elev 14.375
 Solution:
80 80
40

PC
Q PT
-6%
2%

PI
Sta 12+200
Elev 14.375
EXAMPLE NO. 1
 Solution: ★ Value of S1
80 80 S1 160
 =
40 0.06 0.06+0.02

PC S1   = 120  m

Q PT
LP ★ Horizontal distance from LP to Q
-6%
s q   =   S1 − 40 = 120 − 40
2%
s q   = 80  m
PI
Sta 12+200
Elev 14.375 ★ Grade at point Q
gq 0.06
 =  
sq S1
0.06   s q 0.06(80)
sq gq   =   = 
0.02 S1 120
gq g q   =  0.04
0.06

0.02

Grade Diagram
EXAMPLE NO. 1

S1 S2
 Solution: s q   = 80  m g q   =  0.04
S1   = 120  m
80 80
40 ★ Elevation of PC
Elev   PC  =  Elev   PI  + 80(0.06)
PC
Elev   PC  = 14.375+ 80(0.06)
Q PT Elev   PC  = 19.175  m
-6% LP
2% ★ Difference in elevation between PC and Q
DEPC-Q(gq + 0.06)(40)
PI
Sta 12+200
Elev 14.375
DEPC-Q(0.04 + 0.06)(40)

DEPC-Q = 2 m

★ Elevation of Q
sq 0.02 Elev Q = Elev PC - DEPC-Q
gq Elev Q = 19.175 - 2
0.06
Elev Q = 17.175 m
0.02

Grade Diagram
EXAMPLE NO. 1

S1 S2
EXAMPLE NO. 2
VERTICAL CURVE – SYMMETRICAL SAMPLE PROBLEM

A Grade of -6% is followed by a grade of +2%. The grades intersecting at Sta 10+150 at
Elevation of 285m. The change of grade is limited to 0.4% in 18m. Compute the following:
a.) The length of the vertical curve
b.) The distance of the lowest point from PVT

Solution:
 Solution:
r = 0.4% every 18m

(a) r =

6%+2% = 20
n=
0.4 %

L = 20 (18m)
L = 360 m.
EXAMPLE NO. 2
 Solution:

(b) s =

s = 2 % (360)
6% + 2 %
s = 30m.
EXAMPLE NO. 2
EXAMPLE NO. 2
VERTICAL CURVE – SYMMETRICAL SAMPLE PROBLEM

A Grade of -6% is followed by a grade of +2%. The grades intersecting at Sta 10+150 at
Elevation of 285m. The change of grade is limited to 0.4% in 18m. Compute the following:
a.) The length of the vertical curve
b.) The distance of the lowest point from PVT

Solution:
EXAMPLE NO. 3
VERTICAL CURVE – ASYMMETRICAL SAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE NO. 3
Solution:
EXAMPLE NO. 3
EXAMPLE NO. 3
EXAMPLE NO. 3
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