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highway gradient

Gradient and its types

Posted on August 23, 2020February 28, 2021 By Civil Vedant

What is Gradient of road?

The slope of the road pavement in the longitudinal direction is called gradient or grade. It may be expressed either as a ratio of rise or fall in a specified horizontal distance. When a road ascends 1 meter in every 20 horizontal distance it is called 1 in 20 upgrade or 5% upgrade. Similarly, if road descends 1 meter in every 10 horizontal distance it is called 1 in 10 downgrade or 10% downgrade. The gradient of road depends on nature of traffic, nature of ground and rainfall of the locality.

 

Types of gradient in highway engineering :

1. Minimum Gradient : It is an essential gradient to be provided in the longitudinal direction of the road pavement to drain off rain water easily. A minimum gradient of 1 in 250 (0.4%) for flexible pavements and 1 in 300 (0.33%) for rigid pavements is desirable.

2. Limiting or maximum gradient : This is the steepest gradient which is to be permitted on the road.

3. Average Gradient : The total rise or fall between any two points chosen on the alignment divided by the horizontal distance between the two points is called average gradient.

average gradient

4. Ruling Gradient  : The suitable gradient which may be normally provided in the alignment of a road and in such a way that the vehicle may negotiate long stretches of the gradient without much fatigue.

5. Exceptional Gradient : The gradient less than minimum gradient and more than maximum gradient is called exceptional gradient. The maximum length of an exceptional gradient should not exceed 60 meters in 1 km road length. The exceptional gradient becomes necessary to avoid deep cuttings.

 

Gradients as per IRC (Indian Road Congress)

gradients in highway engineering
Tags : gradient of road, minimum gradient, types of gradient, gradient civil engineering, types of gradient in highway engineering.
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