A transition curve is a horizontal curve having a variable radius i.e., an infinite radius at the tangential point to the selected radius of the primary horizontal curve. A horizontal curve provides a transition between two tangent strips of roads and transition curves help make the transition smoother. Concepts, types and length calculations of a transition curve are discussed further in this blog.
Horizontal Curves in a Highway
Before getting into the transition curve it is important to understand horizontal curves. As said, horizontal curves connect two tangent strips of roads i.e., it provides a transition between them.
If horizontal curves are not present then two tangential strips of roads may never meet or could be made to forcibly meet with sharp cuts. These sharp cuts could prove fatal to the vehicles. Also having sharp cuts forces the vehicle to reduce their speed less than the design speed which is not an intention of the highway. Therefore, horizontal curves are absolutely necessary.
Even after providing a horizontal curve, it is important to have a smooth transition between the straight road and the horizontal curve. A transition curve is used to achieve this as discussed further.
Transition Curves in Highways
As said, a transition curve is a horizontal curve having a variable radius i.e., infinity at the tangential point to the selected radius of the horizontal curve. The infinite radius at the tangential point implies that the transition curve is straight at the point where it offsets the straight road.
The main purpose of a transition curve is to provide a smooth transmission between the straight road and the main horizontal curve. By having a variable radius, a gradual increase in centrifugal force is achieved thus helping in having a smooth transition without any sudden jerk. A transition curve connecting a straight road and a horizontal curve on either side of a turn is shown below.
Transition Curves Concept
Centrifugal force is a force that acts on a body moving along a curved path. It acts outwards from the centre and tries to push the body away from the centre. Centrifugal force is expressed as m * (V^2) / R, where m is the mass of the body, V is the velocity of the body and R is the radius of the curved path. Centrifugal force is the main cause of the jerk due to the sudden transition experienced while transitioning a horizontal curve.
To avoid this sudden jerk there should be a gradual increase in the centrifugal force. As the transition curve has an infinite radius at starting tangential point the centrifugal force at that point is zero. Thereafter the radius of the transition curve increases gradually which in turn increases the centrifugal force gradually without any jerk. At the start of the main horizontal curve, the radius of the transition curve will be equal to the radius of the horizontal curve and the centrifugal force reaches its max value thereby completing the transition from a straight road to a horizontal curve in a gradual manner.
Types of Transition Curves
There are three types of transition curves based on their shape as listed below.
Spiral/Clothoid
Bernoulli's Lemniscate
Cubic parabola
Transition Curve Lenght Calculation
Lenght of the transition curve is an important factor as it directly influences the rate of attainment of centrifugal force. Lenght of a transition curve is inversely proportional to the radius of the horizontal curve. There are three ways by which a transition curve's length can be fixed as discussed below.
1. Rate of Change of Centrifugal Acceleration
This method is based on the allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration. The centrifugal acceleration is expressed as, (V^2)/R. The rate of change of centrifugal force is given as,
c = (V^2)/(R*t),
where t = V/L (length of transition curves)
Therefore, Lenght of transition curve (L) = (V^3)/(c*R)
c is empirically given as c = 80/(75 + v),
where,
c is in m/(s^3)
v is design speed in kmph
c is usually taken between 0.5 to 0.8 m/(s^3)
2. Rate of Attainment of Superelevation
This method is based on the rate of attainment of superelevation. There are two subdivisions within this method as mentioned below.
Inner edge rotation
Lenght of transition curve (L) = N*e*B
where,
N - the rate of change of superelevation (usually 150)
e - superelevation rate
B - width of carriage including widening
Centre line rotation
Lenght of transition curve (L) = (N*e*B)/2
where,
N - the rate of change of superelevation (usually 150)
e - superelevation rate
B - width of carriage including widening
3. Empirical Formula
Thi method is a purely empirical method based on road terrain. Details of the same is shared in the table below.
Terrain | Cross slope | Length of transition curve |
Plain | 0 to 10% | 2.7*(V^2)/R |
Rolling | 10 to 25% | 2.7*(V^2)/R |
Mountain | 25 to 60% | (V^2)/R |
Steep | >60% | (V^2)/R |
With these, all the details related to transition curves have been shared. Similar to horizontal curves vertical curves form a major part of highway design. Type "vertical curves" in the form below if you want us to cover the topic or type a topic of your interest in the form below and we will cover it in our next blog.