- 2065 Kartik (old course) · 8 marks
Spiral curve not possible, 10 deg 50 min deviation
Short answer
Spiral angle is 120/(2×400)=8.594°, so 2θs=17.19°, exceeding the deflection angle 10.83°, giving a negative circular arc. Shorten the spiral, increase the radius, use a pure spiral-spiral curve, or shift the alignment.
At a deviation point with deviation angle equal to 10°50' and radius of horizontal circular curve of 400 m, a symmetrical spiral-circular curve with 120 m long spiral could not be introduced. Prove it. Give suggestions for other possible solutions.
Proof
A symmetrical spiral-circular-spiral curve needs the deflection angle to accommodate both spirals plus a circular arc:
Spiral angle of each transition curve:
Deflection angle .
The central angle of the circular arc would be negative, which is impossible. The two spirals alone already turn through 17.19°, more than the available deflection of 10.83°, so the 120 m spiral cannot be introduced. Hence proved.
Possible solutions
- Shorten the spiral. For the spirals to just meet () with m: m. A shorter spiral (say 40 to 60 m) with a short circular arc is possible, but it must still satisfy the comfort and superelevation-run-off requirements.
- Increase the radius. For m and , the radius must be at least m (pure spiral-spiral curve), and more to leave a circular arc. A larger radius also reduces the need for a long transition.
- Use a pure (spiral-spiral) curve with and no circular portion.
- Use a simple circular curve with superelevation run-off provided on the straight. For a small deflection angle with a large radius the shift is tiny: here m for 120 m. IRC does not require a transition for very large radii.
- Shift the alignment (change the position of the intersection point) to get a larger deflection angle.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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