CHAPTER 2

Setting Out Survey

Contents:

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Highway Curves and Setting Out

2.2 Horizontal curve setting out

2.0 Introduction

• Setting Out is the establishment of the marks

and lines to define the position and level of the
elements for the construction work so that works
may proceed with reference to them.

• This process may be contrasted with the purpose

of surveying which is to determine by
measurement the positions of existing features.

3
2.1 Highway Curves and Setting Out

• Whenever the direction of a road or railway

line is to be changed, curves are provided
between the intersecting straights.

• This is necessary for smooth and safe

movement of the vehicles and for the comfort
of passengers.

• The curves required may be in the horizontal

planes or in the vertical planes. 4
Cont’d
• The design and construction of the road
progress include design of the curves.
• The initial design on the route is generally
based on the serious of connected straight
lines.
• In the final design, a curve is provided at
intersections if the straight line to affect the
gradual change in the direction.
December 27, 2023 5
Cont’d
• Curves are geometrical figures that insert
between two alignment intersections.

• This alignment intersection derived from

certain directions and deflects to each other
for some degree called deflection angle.

• When the vehicle goes from the first straight

to the second straight, the change in direction
is so difficult for the vehicle to go up and turn.

December 27, 2023 6

Cont’d
• However, if these two lines joined by a
curve, the change can comfortable and
easily negotiable.

• Based on their objectives two types curve

are there:
 Horizontal curves

 Vertical curves

12/27/2023 7
 2.1.1 Horizontal curves
• Curves provided on the horizontal plane to
provide change in the direction.
• Their alignments requires some changes in
direction due to the nature of the terrain,
cultural features or other unavoidable
reasons.
• The curves used to connect the tangents can be
simple circular, multiple circular with two
different radii, or circular curves joined to the
tangents by spirals.
December 27, 2023 8
Cont’d

• Horizontal curve have the following types

1.simple circular curve
2. reverse curve
3. compound curve
4. transition curve

December 27, 2023 9

 a. Simple circular curve

• It consists of a single arc of the circular curve tangential to two

straights lines of the route.

• When a curve consists of a single arc with a constant radius

connection the two tangents, it is said to be a circular curve.

December 27, 2023 10

 Elements of the simple circular curve:

December 27, 2023 11

 Designation of Curve

• A simple circular curve may be designated either by

radius or by degree of the curve.
• To have a radius of a curve:
• calculate the radius using design speed and
comparing with recommended result by local
authority take the safe radius between the two
result and
• calculate the radius by using degree of curvature

12/27/2023 12
Cont’d
• The degree of a curve defines the sharpness or flatness of
the curve that can be defined based on either an arc or a chord.

• According to the arc definition, the degree of a curve is

defined as the central angle subtended by an arc of 30 or 20 m
length (Fig. 2.3(a)).

• This definition is used primarily for highways.

• Notice that the larger the degree of curve the sharper the
curve and the shorter the radius.

• The chord definition is used primarily for civilian railroad

construction and is used by the military for both roads and
12/27/2023 railroads. 13
 Cont’d

12/27/2023 14
 Cont’d

Relationship between Degree and Radius of Curve

• Arc definition If R is the radius of a curve and D is its degree for a 30m arc, then

RD 30  180 
 30 R
180 
D 

1718.9 1719
R 
D D

12/27/2023 15
Cont’d
• Chord definition For a 30m chord, from triangle T1OM

D T1 M 15 R 
15
sin   D
2 OT1 R sin
2

D D Hence,
Since D is very small, therefore, sin 
2 2

R
15
or R 
15  2  180 or 1718.9 1719
D    R  
   
2
D   D D
   180 
12/27/2023 16
 Cont’d
2.1.2 Stationing
• On route surveys, the surveyor numbers the
stations forward from the beginning of the
project.

• For example, 0+00 indicates the beginning of

the project. The 15+52.96 would indicate a
point 1, 552.96 feet from the beginning.

17
 2.1.3 Equations for Circular Curves

1.T - tangent distance T = R tan /2

2. E – Apex/external distance E = R [(sec /2 - 1)]
3. L - curve length L =  R ∏/ 180
4. M - middle ordinate M = R (1-cos /2)
5. C -chord length C = 2R sin /2
6. P.C - Chainage on point of curvature P.C = P.I – T
7. P.T - Chainage on point of Tangency P.C + L

12/27/2023 18
 Cont’d
2.1.4 Stations of PI, PC and PT
• The location of a planned highway or railway or
a canal is first located on the map sheet to fit
the existing conditions of man-made and
natural features, culture and topography.

• The coordinates of the PIs, PCs and PTs are

carefully scaled from the map.

19
 Cont’d
• The coordinates can be used to determine the
tangent lengths and deflection angles.

• Once the lengths of tangents and deflection angles

are known, the lines can be staked out and stationed
by using a theodolite.

• The net result of the field location of the tangents is a

set of lines from the point of beginning, throughout
the project, together with the deflection angles
between the lines.
20
 Cont’d
• The station of the first PC is obtained by

PC1 = PI1 - T1

Where T is the tangent length

• The PT station is computed by

PT1 = PC1 + L1

In which L is the length of the first curve

21
 2.1.5 Setting out a simple circular curve

• Setting out a curve means locating various points at equal and

convenient distances along the length of a curve.

• After aligning the road/railway along AA’, when curve is to be

inserted, alignment of B’B is laid on the field by carefully going
through the alignment map and field notes.

12/27/2023 22
 Cont’d
• By ranging from AA’ and BB’, the vertex point I is determined.

• Setting a theodolite at I, the deflection angle is measured

carefully.

• The tangent distanceis calculated.

• Subtracting this value from chainage of I, chainage of point of

curve is found.

• Adding length of curve to this chainage of can be easily found.

23
 Cont’d
• Now pegs are to be fixed along the required curve at suitable
intervals.

• It is impossible to measure along the curve.

• Hence, for fixing curve, chord lengths are taken as curved length.

• In practice, pegs are fixed at full chain distances.

• For example, if 20 m chain is used, chainage of is 521.4 m and

that of is 695.8 m, the pegs are fixed at chainage 540, 560, 580
…, 660, 680 m.
24
 Cont’d
• Thus, the chord length of first chord is 18.6 m while
that of last one is 15.8 m.

• All intermediate chords are of 20 m.

• The first and last peg stations are known as sub-chord

station while the others are full chord stations.

25
 Setting out a simple circular curve

• The methods of setting out curves can be mainly divided into two
heads depending upon instruments used.

a) Linear methods: In the linear methods, only a chain or tape is

used. Linear methods are used when:

• A high degree of accuracy is not required,

• The curve is short.

b) Angular methods: In this method, an instrument such as a

theodolite is used with or without a chain (or tape).

12/27/2023 26
a) Linear methods
i) Offsets from the long chord

• Let it be required to set out a curve T1CT2 between the two

intersecting straights T1I and T2I (see next slide figure ).

• R is the radius of the curve,

• O0 the mid-ordinate, and

• Ox the offset at a point P at a distance x from the mid-point (M)

of the long chord.
12/27/2023 27
i) Offsets from the long chord
OM  OT 1
2
 MT1
2

or
 2 L 
2

OM  R 
  
  2 
 
Now,
CM  OC  OM
or
O0  R  OM
2
L
O0  R  R2   
2
In triangle OP’G,
OG  R 2  x 2 and
OM  R  O0
PP '  OG  OM
The required offset, C
Ox y  R  x  R  ( )2
2 2 2

12/27/2023 Hence, 2 28
Example: It is required to set out a curve of radius 100 m with pegs at
approximately 10 m centers. The deflection angle is 60°. Draw up the data
necessary for setting out the curve by offsets from long chord.

Solution
 ii). Perpendicular offsets from the tangent
This method is suitable for small values of the radius, length of curve and deflection angle.
In Figure 2.5, Ox is offset perpendicular to the tangent at a distance x from the point of curve
T1,
Refer to Fig. and derive the formula for calculating
perpendicular offsets from the tangent.
In the triangle OEP
Example: It is required to set out a curve of radius 100 m with pegs at
approximately 10 m centers. The deflection angle is 60°. Draw up the data
necessary for setting out the curve by offsets from long chord.

Solution
 b). By angular methods:
i). Rankine's method of deflection angle (one-theodolite method)

• This method is useful for setting out a circular curve of long length and of
large radius.

• It yields good results except when the chords are long as compared to the
radius, so that the variation between the length of an arc and its chord
becomes considerable.

• It is quite accurate and is frequently used on highways and railways.

A deflection angle to any point on the curve is the angle at
P.C. between the tangent and the chord from P.C. to that
point. According to Rankine's method, this deflection angle
is equal to half the angle subtended by the arc at the
center.
From the property of a circle that the angle subtended by a chord at the center is
twice the angle between the tangent and the chord. Then,

 T1Oa  2  IT1 a  2 1

R  2 1  T1 a  C1
Example: Tabulate data needed to set out by a theodolite and tape for a circular curve of
radius 600m to connect two straights having a deflection angle of 18024. The through
chainage of the PI is 2140.00m and a normal chord length of 20m is to used.

Solution: Given  =18024, R=600m,normal chord c=20m

Check that c R/20R/20=30m>c Hence, OK!

 Tangent distance, T=R tan (/2)=600 tan9912=97.20m

 Chainage of PI=2140.00m=21+40.00
T=97.20m =0+97.20
 Chainage of PC=2042.80m=20+42.80
 Next full station on the curve (@20-m intervals)=
2042.80/20= 102.14 take 103
then, 103*20=2060
 Next full station on the curve (@20-m intervals)= 20+60.00
Therefore, length of initial subchord c=20+60.00-20+42.80=17.20m
 Length of curve=R/180=600*18.24*/180=192.68m
Chainage of PC=2042.80m=20+42.80
Length of curve L=192.68m=1+92.68
Chainage of PT =2235.48m= 22+35.48

 Last full station on the curve (@ 20-m intervals)

2235.48/20=111.774 take 111
then, 111*20=2220
Therefore, length of final subchord c2=22+35.48-22+20.00=15.48m
 The curve has an initial subchord of 17.20
and a final subchord of 15.48m.
No. of normal chords = 192.68 - (15.48+17.20) /20=8
  Calculation of deflection angles
Given the cord length c, the deflection angle from station
to station on the is given by
=1718.873c/R minutes

Hence, 1=1718.873c/R=1718.873*17.20/600=49.27’

=1718.873c/R=1718.873*20/600=57.30’

2=1718.873c2/R=1718.873*15.48/600=44.35’

Calculate the chainage of each station and the cumulative deflection angles from the back tangent to
each station on the curve (tabulated below)
Chainage Chord, m Deflection Total deflection. Total def. Angle on 20
Angle Angle theodolite
PC=20+42.80 0 0 0 0
20+60.00 17.20 49.27' 0049.27'
+80.00 20.00 57.30' 1046.57'
21+00.00 20.00 57.30' 2043.87'
+20.00 20.00 57.30' 3041.17'
+40.00 20.00 57.30' 4038.47'
+60.00 20.00 57.30' 5035.77'
+80.00 20.00 57.30' 6033.07'
22+00.00 20.00 57.30' 7030.37'
+20.00 20.00 57.30' 8027.67'
+35.48 15.48 44.35' 9012.00'
9012’00"=/2 (check)
 2.1.6 Difficulties in setting out a simple curve
1. WHEN POINT OF INTERSECTION INACCESSIBLE.
Let T1I and T2I be the two straights intersecting at I, the point of
intersection. T1 and T2 are the points of commencement and
tangency. Let us assume that point of intersection I is falling in the
middle of a perennial river
The following steps are followed.
(1). Select two intervisible points P
and Q on the tangents T1I and T2I
respectively. Measure the distance PQ.
(2). Measure angle T1PQ and PQT2
by setting a theodolite at P and Q
respectively. Let the angles be α and
β respectively.
(3). Calculate the angles of
intersection and deflection as under :
Solution.
Solution.
 2.1.7 COMPOUND CURVES
• A compound curve consists of two or more arcs of circles
of different radii that deviate in the same direction and join
at a common tangent point.
• When two or more simple circular curves, of different
radii, turning in the same direction join two intersecting
straights, the resultant curve is known as a compound
curve with two simple circular curves of two radii
TWO CENTERED COMPOUND CURVE
 Two straights AI and BI (when produced)
intersect at I, the point of intersection. A
two centered compound curve T1CT2 is
inserted between them.
 Two circular arcs T1C and CT2 have O1 and
O2 as their centers.
 T1and T2 are point of commencement and
point of tangency of the curve respectively.
The essential components of a compound curve are :

∆ = total deflection angle

∆1 = deflection angle IKL
∆2 = deflection angle ILK
Rs=radius of arc (small) T1C
RL=radius of arc (large) T2C.
Ts=total tangent length (small), T1I
TL= total tangent length (large), T2I.
Angle T1O1C = 180° - angle T1KC = ∆1
Angle CO2T2 = 180° - angle CLT2 = ∆2
T1K = KC = t1 and CL = LT2 = t2
KL = t1 + t2
Applying sine rule to ∆ IKL, we get

Hence, total tangent lengeth Ts= T1 K + KI

 Relationship between different parts of a compound curve
There are seven essential parts of a two centered compound curve i.e. TS TL RS , , , , , ∆ ∆1 ∆2
and RL . If any four of these quantities including at least one angle are known, the remaining
quantities may be calculated.
Calculation of the rest of three quantities is made as
under :
In all, five cases may arise and the formulae for each
case are detailed below :
Case I.
Given : ∆,RS , RL ,∆1 or ( ∆2 )
Required : TS, TL, ∆2 or ( ∆1 )
Example: Two straights AB BC are intersected by a line D1D2. the straights are to be joined by a two –
center compound curve with radii of 600m and 800m each. If the Chainage of the PI is 8248.10m, calculate
the chainages of the PC,PT and PCC. Also compute the defection angles required to set out the entire curve
taking a normal chord of 20m. The angle BD1D2and BD2D1are 40030’ and 36024’ respectively.
Example: Two straights AB BC are intersected by a line D1D2. the straights are to be joined by a two –center compound
curve with radii of 600m and 800m each. If the Chainage of the PI is 8248.10m, calculate the chainages of the PC,PT
and PCC. Also compute the defection angles required to set out the entire curve taking a normal chord of 20m. The
angle BD1D2and BD2D1are 40030’ and 36024’ respectively.