When a driver approaches a curve, the road is frequently slanted or racked up at an angle, allowing him or her to manoeuvre the curve at a reasonable speed without skidding or tipping. This is super elevation in action.
On curved roads, super elevation assists motorists in maintaining both safety and optimal speed. Many cars will indeed slide or skid through curves without super elevation, particularly in wet or cold weather or at full speed, or even tip and roll over. It also allows traffic to maintain a certain speed on curves, avoiding unnecessary slowdowns when the road bends.
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Super elevation: What is it?
super elevation is a method of constructing infrastructure in roadway curves in which the edges of the road are raised above the inner edge. Since it is a component of the vertical position or “profile” of a road viewed in cross-section, it is an important security element in the design specifications of any road with curves.
A superelevated road must be meticulously designed. Its construction necessitates the purchase of heavy machinery, extensive materials, and a large labour force. However, if done correctly, most people will not even notice it is there. super elevation is also known as “cant” or “banking,” as in a racing speedway’s banked track.
Super elevation: Working of super elevation
super elevation works with several interacting physics forces to help drivers maintain speed and stay on the road safely through a curve. The need for super elevation on a road or highway is determined by a complex conjunction of rotational and centripetal force, friction, inertia, weight, and velocity or speed.
Forces acting on super elevation
As a vehicle moves through a curve, centripetal force pulls towards the inside edge of the pavement. It may feel like you’re sliding, tipping, or both. It’s the inverse of gravitational force, that also pulls you away from the centre and toward the outside edge of your vehicle as it curves (and also tries to push you into your seat). A superelevated curve in a highway balances these two forces, as well as several others that act in different directions.
Super elevation: Advantages and purpose
- When a vehicle travels on a curved path, it experiences an outward force known as centrifugal force. To mitigate the effects of centrifugal force, super elevation is provided.
- It aids in maintaining a constant speed while remaining comfortable on a curve path.
- It lowers the number of accidents.
- It aids in the drainage of rainwater towards the inner side. So there’s no need for camber on this stretch of road.
- It also aids in keeping vehicles on the correct side of the road, preventing head collisions between vehicles travelling in opposite directions.
Super Elevation: Disadvantages
- High engineering, geological, and concrete work costs result in increased construction costs.
- Complexity may cause instability or a loss of vehicle control.
- Increased tyre maintenance is the cause of excessive maintenance. This raises the price.
- The construction project needs more room.
- increases the vehicle’s weight, which results in a 20% increase in traction force on the base course.
FAQs
What are the common terms used while dealing with super elevation?
Using visual aids like blueprints is beneficial in any design situation involving numerous physical forces and construction components. It's also a good idea to define and comprehend the terms associated with the drawings. The elongated axis across which a section of road is rotated to alter horizontal alignment and produce the desired super elevation is known as the axis of rotation. A measurement of the steepness, degree of incline, or upward or downward slant, such as the slope of a pavement.
What is the highest super elevation?
Taking mixed traffic into account, the IRC has set the maximum limit of super elevation in plain and rolling terrains and snow-bound areas, at 7.0% or 0.07. A maximum super elevation of 10% has been recommended for hilly roads that are not snowbound.