LESSON 7

UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVE

Unsymmetrical parabolic summit curve is a curve consists of two symmetrical summit parabolic curves
and formed by the intersection of two parabolas with a plane parallel to its side having unequal horizontal
lengths (L1 and L2) of symmetrical curves on either side of a dividing line. This vertical curve is warranted
only where a symmetrical curve cannot meet imposed alignment conditions, such as the curve passed
through a water or oil pipeline along its path or vertical clearance limits. Its geometry also provides a
constant rate of change in the slope between the two adjoining tangents for driver and passenger comfort.

Curve having two parabolic curves

Where:

L1 = length of parabolic curve on left side of vertex

L2 = length of parabolic curve on right side of curve
g1 = slope of backward tangent
g2 = slope of forward tangent

TO SOLVE FOR H
Considering triangles AVD & ABC

2𝐻 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )𝐿2
=
𝐿1 𝐿1 + 𝐿2

(𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )𝐿1 𝐿2
𝐻=
2(𝐿1 + 𝐿2 )

From properties of symmetrical curve

Curve 1

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 1
 1
ℎ1 = 𝐻
4

for curve 2
1
ℎ2 = 𝐻
4
Solving for L1

2𝐻 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )𝐿2
=
𝐿1 𝐿1 + 𝐿2

2𝐻𝐿1 + 2𝐻𝐿2 = 𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )

2𝐻𝐿2 = 𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻𝐿1
2𝐻𝐿2 = 𝐿1 [𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻]

2𝐻𝐿2
𝐿1 =
𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻

Similarly
2𝐻𝐿1 + 2𝐻𝐿2 = 𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )
2𝐻𝐿1 = 𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻𝐿2
2𝐻𝐿1 = 𝐿2 [𝐿1 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻]

2𝐻𝐿1
𝐿2 =
𝐿1 (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 ) − 2𝐻

Applying the square property of parabola to solve for the vertical offsets of the parabola

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 2
 𝑦1 𝐻
=
(𝑥1 )2 (𝐿1 )2

𝑦2 𝐻
=
(𝑥2 )2 (𝐿2 )2

Location of the highest or lowest point of the curve

a.) From PC when

𝐿1 𝑔1
< H
2

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 3
Consider AVF

𝑔 𝐿
𝑆1 = 𝑔 1−𝑔1 eqn1
1 3

𝐿
h1= 41(g1-g3)

𝑔1− 𝑔3
𝐻 = 𝐿1 2

H = 4h1
𝐿1
ℎ1 = (𝑔1 − 𝑔3 )
8

𝐿1
𝐻= (𝑔1 − 𝑔3 )
2

2H = L1 (g1 – g3)
2H = L1g1 – L1g3
L1g3 = L1g1 – 2H

𝐿1 𝑔1 −2𝐻
g3 = eqn 3
𝐿1

From eq 1 substitute eq 3

𝑔1 𝐿1
S1 = 𝐿 𝑔 −2𝐻
𝑔1 −( 1 1 )
𝐿1

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 4
 𝑔1 𝐿1 2
S1 =
𝑔1 𝐿1 −𝐿1 𝑔1 +2𝐻

𝑔1 𝐿1 2
S1 = Location of highest from PC
2𝐻

𝐿1 𝑔1
b.) When >H
2

Considering the right side of parabola

𝐿
𝑔2 ( )
2
S2 = 1
𝑔3 −𝑔2

𝐿2
𝐻 = (𝑔 − 𝑔2 )
2 3

2H = L2g3 – L2g2

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 5
 2𝐻+𝐿2 𝑔2
g3 =
𝐿2

Substitute 3 in 1

𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 =
𝑔3 −𝑔2

𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 = 2𝐻+𝐿 𝑔
( 2 2 )−𝑔
𝐿2 2

𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 =
2𝐻+𝐿2 𝑔2 −𝑔2 𝐿2

𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 = highest pt from PT
2𝐻
𝐿1 𝑔1
When > H, The highest point is located on the right side of the curve
2
Example:
An unsymmetrical parabolic curve has a forward tangent of -8% and back tangent of +5%. The
length of the curve left side is 40m. long while that of the right side is 60m. long. The PC is at
station 6+780m. and has an elevation of 110m. An outcrop is found at station 6+800 has an
elevation of 108.40m.

1.) Compute the height of fill needed to cover the outcrop.

2.) Compute the elevation of curve at station 6+820.
3.) Compute the elevation of highest point of the curve.

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 6
SOLUTION:
1.) Height of fill to cover the outcrop.

Determine the value of H

2𝐻 𝐿2 (𝑔1 −𝑔2 )
=
𝐿1 𝐿1 +𝐿2

𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 −𝑔2 )
H=
2(𝐿1 +𝐿2 )

40(60)[0.05−( −0.08)]
H=
2(40+60)

H = 1.56m.

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 7
𝑦1 𝐻
20 2 = 402

1.56(202 )
y1 =
402
y1 = 0.39m.

Elev B = Elev PC + h – y
Elev B = 110 + 20(.05) – 0.39
= 110.61 m. Curve elvation at B

HF = Curve elev – Ground elev

HF = elev B – elev 108.40

Height of Fill = 110.61 – 108.40

= 2.21 m. Answer for 1

2.) Compute the elevation of curve at station 6+820

Elev of C = 110 +40(0.05) – 1.56

= 110.44 m.

4.) Elev of highest point of curve

𝐿1 𝑔1 (40)(0.05)
= = 1.00 < 1.56
2 2
Highest pt is from PC

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 8
 𝑔1 𝐿1 2
S1 = elevation of highest point from PC
2𝐻

(0.05)(40)2
S1 =
2(1.56)

S1 = 25.64 m

𝑦𝑠1 𝐻
2=
𝑆1 𝐿1 2
(1.56)(25.64)2
𝑦𝑠1 =
402

𝑦𝑠1 = 0.64

Elev E = 110 + ℎ𝑠1 − 𝑦𝑠1

Elev E = 110 + 𝑆1 𝑔1 − 𝑦𝑠1
Elev E = 110 + 25.64(0.05) – 0.64
= 110.642

Example:

A forward tangent having slope of -4% intersect the back tangent having slope of 7% at V at
station 6+300 having an elevation of 230m. It is required to connect two tangents with an
unsymmetrical parabolic curve having an elevation of 227.57 m. at station 6+270m. The length
of curve is 60m. on the side of back tangent.

1.) Determine the length of the curve on the side of the forward tangent
2.) Determine the stationing of the highest point of the curve.
3.) Determine the elevation of the highest point of the curve.

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 9
 1.) Elev B = 230 – a
Elev B = 230 – 30(0.07)
= 227.90 m.

y1 = Elev B – Elev A
= 227.90 – 227.57
= 0.33

Determine H
𝐻 𝑦1
60 2 = 302

0.33(60)2
H=
302
H = 1.32 m.

Determine L2

2𝐻 (𝑔1 −𝑔2 )𝐿2

=
𝐿1 𝐿1 +𝐿2
2𝐻𝐿1
𝐿2 = 𝐿1 (𝑔1 −𝑔2 )−2𝐻
2(1.32)(60)
𝐿2 = 60[7%−(−4%)]−2(1.36)

𝐿2 = 40 𝑚
2.) Stationing of the highest point of the curve.

𝐿1 𝑔1 (60)(0.07)
= = 2.1m > H=1.32
2 2
Highest pt is from PT
𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 =
2𝐻

(0.04)(40)2
S2 =
2(1.32)

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 10
S2 = 24.24 m from PT

Sta PT = (6+300) + 40
= 6+340

Station of highest PT = (6+340) – 24.24

= 6+315.76
Elevation of Highest pt.

𝑦𝑠2 1.32
(24.24) 2= (40)2

ys2 = 0.48

Elev C = 230 – 15.76(0.04)

= 229.37m.
Elev of highest point = Elev C - ys2
= 227.37 – 0.48
= 228.89 m.

Example g1 = 5% L1= 120

‘ g2= -3% L2=100 Station PC 1 +000 Elev PC = 195 m

1. Determine the elevation at station 1 + 100

2. Determine the elevation at station 1 + 120
3. Determine the elevation at station 1 + 180
4. Determine the elevation of the Highest point

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 11
 𝐿1 𝐿2 (𝑔1 −𝑔2 )
H=
2(𝐿1 +𝐿2 )
120(100)(.05−−.03))
H=
2(120+100)
H= 2.18
1.) Elevation at sta 1 + 100 X= 100
‘ h100= 100*.05 = 5 m
𝑦100 2.18
= 1202
1002
𝑦100 = 1.51𝑚
Elev100= Elev PC + h100- y100
= 195 + 5 -1.51
= 198.49 m 100
2.) Elevation at sta 1 + 120 at L1 y=H = 2.18
‘h120 = 120(.05) = 6 m
Elevation at Sta 120 =Elev PC + h120- H
Elevation at Sta 120 =195 + 6- 2.18
= 198.82 m
3.) Determine the elevation at station 1 + 180 x= 180-120 = 60 m

‘ h180 = 60(g3)

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 12
 120(. 05) − 2(2.18)
𝑔3 =
120

𝑔3 = 0.0136
‘ h180 = 60(0.0136)
h180 = .816
𝑦 2.18
2
=
60 1002

𝑦 = 0.785
Elev 180 = Elev 120 + h – y
= 198.82 + 0.816 -0.785
= 198.85

4. Determine the elevation of the Highest point

𝑔1 𝐿1 .05(120)
2
= 2
= 3 > 2.18 The lowest point is From PT
𝑔2 𝐿2 2
S2 =
2𝐻
0.03(100)2
𝑆2 =
2(2.18)
𝑆2 = 68.81

𝑦𝑠2 𝐻
2
= 2
𝑠2 𝐿2

𝑦𝑠2 2.18
2
=
68.81 1002
𝑦𝑠2 = 1.032

‘ a =(100-68.81)(g2)
‘ a= 31.19*.03
‘ a= 0.94
Elev of Vertex =elev PC + L1(g1)
= 195 + 120(.05)
= 195 + 6
= 201

Hp = Elev Vertec- a – y
= 201 – 0.94 – 1.032
= 199.03

CE222-18 Engineering Survey ; 2nd semester 2021-2022; Prepared by Dr. Rodel C. Angkahan 13