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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:

Δ≥2θs,Δc=Δ−2θs≥0\Delta\ge 2\theta_s,\qquad \Delta_c=\Delta-2\theta_s\ge0

Spiral angle of each transition curve:

θs=Ls2R=1202(400)=0.15 rad=8.594∘\theta_s=\frac{L_s}{2R}=\frac{120}{2(400)}=0.15\ \text{rad}=8.594^\circ 2θs=17.189∘2\theta_s=17.189^\circ

Deflection angle Δ=10∘50′=10.833∘\Delta=10^\circ50'=10.833^\circ.

Δc=Δ−2θs=10.833∘−17.189∘=−6.355∘<0\Delta_c=\Delta-2\theta_s=10.833^\circ-17.189^\circ=-6.355^\circ<0

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

  1. Shorten the spiral. For the spirals to just meet (Δc=0\Delta_c=0) with R=400R=400 m: Ls=RΔ=75.6L_s=R\Delta=75.6 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.
  2. Increase the radius. For Ls=120L_s=120 m and Δ=10.83∘\Delta=10.83^\circ, the radius must be at least R=LsΔ=1200.1891=635R=\dfrac{L_s}{\Delta}=\dfrac{120}{0.1891}=635 m (pure spiral-spiral curve), and more to leave a circular arc. A larger radius also reduces the need for a long transition.
  3. Use a pure (spiral-spiral) curve with θs=Δ/2\theta_s=\Delta/2 and no circular portion.
  4. 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 s=Ls224R=1.50s=\dfrac{L_s^2}{24R}=1.50 m for 120 m. IRC does not require a transition for very large radii.
  5. 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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