Curves play a vital role in geometric design of road and railway alignments. Hence it must be property studied and designed so as to provide safety, comfort and convenience at the time of driving the vehicle or train on curves.
Functions:
- One can make gradual change in gradient in the alignment by providing the curve.
- One provides it so as to get comfort to the passengers.
- One can make Gradual change in direction or orientation in the alignment by providing the curve.
- One can provide it so as to get easy turning in case of road and track.
Types:
- Horizontal curves
- Simple
- Compound
- Reverse
- Transition
2. Vertical curves
a. Summit b. Valley
1. Horizontal curves:
The Horizontal curves are the ones which provides at turning points so as to get gradual change in the direction of alignment of road or track.
- Simple :
The curves which consist of a single arc of a circle two straight tangents further connects and brings about a deflection of the road through an angle is called a simple curve.
- Compound:
Compound curve is a curve having the series of two and more simple of different curving in the same direction.
- Reverse:
The Reverse curve consists of two simple having equal or different radii turning in opposite directions.
- Transition:
The curve in which radius varies gradually from infinity to a finite value equal to that of the circular curve to be connected.
2. Vertical curves:
The Vertical curve is provided in the alignment of road or track at change of gradient.
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