Construction Surveying - Curves

Course Summary

By studying TM 5-232, the surveyor learns to locate points using angles and distances. In construction surveying, the surveyor must often establish the line of a curve for road layout or some other construction.

The surveyor can establish curves of short radius, usually less than one tape length, by holding one end of the tape at the center of the circle and swinging the tape in an arc, marking as many points as desired.

As the radius and length of curve increases, the tape becomes impractical, and the surveyor must use other methods. Measured angles and straight line distances are usually picked to locate selected points, known as stations, on the circumference of the arc.

Learning Objectives

• Simple horizontal curves
• Obstacles to curve location
• Compound and reverse curves
• Transition spirals
• Vertical curves

Course Author

Department of Army

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Certificate of completion of the course

This course comes with a multiple-choice quiz. You can view the quiz and take the quiz if you are logged in your account. You can take the quiz for this online PDH course as many times until passed. The passing grade is 70% and above. After you pass the quiz simply follow the page, to pay for the course and print your certificate instantly. A copy of the certificate and receipt for this course will always be in your account.

Acrobat Reader is required to view this document. Click here to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.

This online PDH course can also be used as a continuing education course for the following.

Land Surveyors