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The chord offset formula calculates the perpendicular distance from the midpoint of a chord to the arc of a circular curve. This is an important calculation in surveying and civil engineering for laying out circular curves.
The calculator uses the chord offset formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula provides an approximate calculation of the offset distance from the chord to the arc, which is particularly useful in curve setting and road design.
Details: Accurate chord offset calculation is crucial for proper curve layout in road construction, railway design, and other civil engineering projects where circular curves are implemented.
Tips: Enter the length of curve/chord and radius of circular curve in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: Is this formula exact or approximate?
A: This formula provides an approximate calculation of chord offset. For small angles, the approximation is quite accurate, but for larger angles, more precise trigonometric methods may be needed.
Q2: What are typical values for chord length and radius?
A: Typical values vary by application. In road design, radii can range from 30m to 300m+, while chord lengths are typically chosen based on the required precision of curve layout.
Q3: When is this formula most accurate?
A: The formula is most accurate when the chord length is small compared to the radius, typically when the central angle is less than 15 degrees.
Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: Yes, this is an approximation that assumes the offset is small relative to the radius. For large offsets or sharp curves, more precise geometric calculations should be used.
Q5: Can this be used for spiral curves?
A: No, this formula is specifically for circular curves. Spiral curves require different mathematical approaches for accurate offset calculations.