1. What is Mid Ordinate?

Mid Ordinate is the distance from the midpoint of a curve to the midpoint of its chord. It is an important measurement in curve geometry and surveying, particularly in circular curve calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mid Ordinate formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Curve Radius} \) — Radius of the circular curve (meters)
• \( \text{Deflection Angle} \) — Angle between the first sub chord and the deflected line (radians)
• \( \cos \) — Cosine trigonometric function

Explanation: The formula calculates the perpendicular distance from the midpoint of the curve to the chord connecting the endpoints of the curve segment.

3. Importance of Mid Ordinate Calculation

Details: Mid Ordinate calculation is crucial in civil engineering and surveying for designing and laying out circular curves in roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects. It helps in determining the curvature and ensuring proper alignment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the curve radius in meters and deflection angle in radians. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the mid ordinate distance.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should be used for input values?
A: Curve radius should be in meters, and deflection angle should be in radians.

Q2: Can I use degrees instead of radians?
A: The formula requires radians. Convert degrees to radians by multiplying by π/180 before input.

Q3: What is the typical range of mid ordinate values?
A: Mid ordinate values depend on the curve radius and deflection angle. For typical road curves, values range from a few centimeters to several meters.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for perfect circular curves. Accuracy depends on the precision of input values.

Q5: Where is mid ordinate used in practice?
A: Mid ordinate is used in highway design, railway engineering, and any application involving circular curve geometry for transportation infrastructure.