Water logging on roads is a major issue, especially in the rainy season. It can create a lot of disturbance in traffic. Various systems are there to maintain the water logging issue, but the most convenient one is the camber in road. It is a transverse slope that drains off rainwater or melting ice from the road’s surface. With the help of the camber, it becomes easier to get rid of excess clogged water. But camber is not a go-to process; there are many things to consider. There are various types of cambers. This article provides detailed information about the camber on the roads.
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Camber: What is it?
Camber is a cross slope. It is provided in a transverse direction on the road so extra water can be drained. Usually, the camber is built on straight roads, so the carriageway centre is the primary concern. The carriageway will be in an uprise direction, and it will be the highest point of the road.
Camber can be of various shapes, like parabolic, elliptic, or straight. Straight-line camber is suitable for cement concrete pavement. On the other hand, parabolic and elliptic shapes are selected by all fast-moving vehicles because they demand the frequent crossing of the crown line while overtaking other vehicles.
The ratio 1:n indicates the camber. This ratio signifies that the slope in the transverse direction is in the ratio one vertical to n horizontal. It can also be denoted with the help of percentages. So, for instance, if it is written that the camber is 5%, then the cross fall will be 1 in 20.
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Camber: Objectives
- To clear off the rainwater of melting ice from the road’s surface.
- To prevent water from entering the subgrade of the road.
- To dry the road for ease of driving.
- To ensure the durability of the road.
Camber: Types
There are four types of camber. They are as follows:
Barrel camber
It contains a parabolic or elliptical continuous curve. This type of camber is best suited for roads used by fast vehicles.
Sloped camber
This arch is provided by bringing two straight sides together at the crown. The crown is the highest point in the middle of the road surface.
It is not very popular because the shape of the edge interferes with traffic.
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Two straight-line camber
Both straight lines are vertical near the edges and flat near the crown. This type of camber is considered the best for Indian roads.
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Composite camber
Compound camber can consist of a partial parabola, a partial straight line, or two straight lines with different slopes.
The middle part of the road is usually parabolic, with a straight slope near the ends. It raises the wheel contact area and reduces pressure strength.
Camber: Advantages
- Camber allows rainwater to drain quickly and controls rainwater from penetrating the road surface and weakening the foundation of the road structure.
- Camber prevents rainwater from collecting in localised bottlenecks and potholes and forming puddles around the road surface.
Camber: Recommended value of camber on the road according to the IRC
| Type of surface | Heavy rainfall area camber | Low rainfall area camber |
| Cement concrete | 2% | 1.7% |
| Thin bituminous surface | 2.5% | 2% |
| WBM, Gravel | 3% | 2.5% |
| Earthen | 4% | 3% |
FAQs
What is the main objective of the camber?
The main objective of the camber is to drain rainwater from the road surface, so there is no water logging issue.
Which is the easiest camber to be installed?
Straight camber is the easiest one to be installed on the road.
What are the types of camber?
The main types of camber are sloped camber, two straight line camber, composite camber, and barrel camber.
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