What term describes the outward slope of pavement at a curve to prevent vehicle overturning?

Study for the SGLA LARE Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

The term that describes the outward slope of pavement at a curve to prevent vehicle overturning is superelevation. Superelevation refers to the banking of a road at a curve where the road surface is tilted toward the inside of the curve. This inclination helps counteract the effects of centrifugal force acting on the vehicle as it turns, which can otherwise lead to potential overturning or losing control.

When a vehicle navigates a curve, the forces acting upon it can cause a tendency to slide outward. By incorporating superelevation, the design effectively enhances safety by shifting some of the gravitational force acting on the vehicle to help maintain its balance and stability. This design feature is particularly crucial at higher speeds, where the forces are more pronounced.

Camber, while it involves a similar concept of slope in road design, specifically refers to the cross slope of the road surface to facilitate drainage rather than addressing the requirements of vehicle dynamics in curves. Banking generally refers to the broader concept of tilting roads to assist with turns, but it is synonymous with superelevation in the context of road curves. Grade, on the other hand, typically describes the slope of the road along a straight path and is unrelated to the dynamics of curves.

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