A root loci plot is simply a plot of the s zero values and the s poles on a graph with real and imaginary coordinates.  The root locus is a curve of the location of the poles of a transfer function as some parameter (generally the gain K) is varied.    The number of zeros does not exceed the number of poles.

The locus of the roots of the characteristic equation of the closed loop system as the gain varies from zero to infinity gives the name of the method.   Such a plot shows clearly the contribution of each open loop pole or zero to the locations of the closed loop poles. This method is very powerful graphical technique for investigating the effects of the variation of a system parameter on the locations of the closed loop poles.   General rules for constructing the root locus exist and if the designer follows them, sketching of the root loci becomes a simple matter.

The closed loop poles are the roots of the characteristic equation of the system.   From the design viewpoint, in some systems simple gain adjustment can move the closed loop poles to the desired locations.   Root loci are completed to select the best parameter value for stability.  A normal interpretation of improving stability is when the real part of a pole is further left of the imaginary axis.

A control system is often developed into an equation as shown below

D(s) = (s - p ₁).(s -p ₂).. (s - p _n) is the characteristic equation for the system ...

m ≤ n
F(s) = 0 when s = z ₁,z ₂... z _m..These values of s are called zeros
F(s) = infinity when s = p ₁, p ₂....p _n...These values of s are called poles..

Below is shown a root loci plot with a zero of -2 and poles at (-2 ± 2 j ω ).
In practice one complex pole /zero always comes with a second one mirrored around the real axis

The Transfer function F(s) can also be written in polar form using vectors (modulus-argument ).

The complex numbers in polar form have the following elementary properties..

|z ₁ .z ₂ | = |z ₁ |.|z ₂ |.......&......|z ₁ / z ₂ | = |z ₁ | / |z ₂ |

A typical feedback system is shown below

The open-loop transfer function between the forcing input R(s) and the measured output Y₁(s) =

Let G(s) = Q(s)/ P(s)    and     H(s) = W(s) /V(s) that is G(s)H(s) = Q(s).W(s) / P(s).V(s)
Then the open loop poles are the roots of the characteristic equation for the open loop transfer function.

The open loop zeros are roots of the W(s) Q(s)

The closed-loop transfer function =

K is the value of the open loop gain .
1 + KG(s)H(s) is the characteristic equation

The closed loop poles ( when T(s) = infinity ) must satisfy

K.G(s).H(s) = -1

This is can be interpreted using vectors

Again letting G(s) = Q(s)/ P(s)    and     H(s) = W(s) /V(s) that is G(s)H(s) = Q(s).W(s) / P(s).V(s).
Then K(G(s).H(s) = -1 can be rewritten as K.Q(s).W(s) = - P(s)V(s) ....Therefore
The closed loop poles are roots of the characteristic equation for the closed loop system =

Generally the location of these roots in the s plane changes as the gain factor K is altered.    The root locus is the locus of these roots as a function of K.

For K = zero the roots of the above equation are roots of the P(s).V(s) which are the same as the poles of the open loop transfer function G(s)H(s). If K becomes very large the roots approoach those of Q(s).W(s) which are the open-loops zeros. Therefore as K is increased for zero to infinity the loci of the closed-loop poles originate from the open-loop poles and terminate at the open loop zeros.    If there is less zeros than poles then the some root loci originate at open-loop poles and increase towards infinity as K increases towards infinity.

Consider system as diagram above with G(s) = 1/ s(s+2) , H(s) = 1
( P(s) = 1, V(s) = s(s+2), Q(s) =1, W(s) = 1)

The closed loop characteristic equation = s ² + 2s + K = 0

The roots of the characteristic equation

When K = 0 , the poles at s = 0, and s = -2
When K = 1, the pole is at s = -1

The relevant root locus is shown below

Consider system as diagram above with G(s) = 2s / ( s ²+1) , H(s) = 1
P(s) = (s² + 1)     , V(s) = 1    , Q(s) = 2s    , W(s) = 1 )

The closed loop characteristic equation = P(s).V(s) + K.Q(s)W(s) = 0
therefore s ² + 2Ks + 1 = 0

The roots of the characteristic equation

When K = 0 , the poles at s = + j , and s = - j
When K = 1, the pole is at s = -1

The relevant root locus is shown below

The system has the best stability point at K = -1, at values below this root loci moves towards the instability boundary.

These rules are listed with minimum clarification..For more details refer to reference links and reference texts.. The rules below are simple rules which obviate the need to completely solve the characteristic equation allowing the methods to be used for relatively complex systems.  The rules are based on those devised by R.Evans in an important paper in 1948.   They are therefore known as Evans Rules.  The rules only relate to positive changes in K.   For negative values of K a set of similar rules are used.

The closed loop poles are roots of the characteristic equation for the closed loop system =

P(s).V(s) + K.Q(s)W(s) = 0

This can be more clearly expressed as

Poles(s) + K Zeros(s) = 0

1) Number of root loci.(branches)
The number of root loci is equal to the order of the characteristic equation .
This is, for rational systems, the same order as the characteristic equation for the open loop transfer function i.e. P(s).V(s)

2) Symmetry of loci
The roots of the characteristic equation having real coefficient are symmetrical with respect to the real axis

3) Poles
The poles of lie on the root loci and correspond to K = 0. i.e roots of P(s).V(s) = 0

4) Zeros
The zeros lie on the root loci and correspond to K = infinity. i.e roots of Q(s).W(s) = 0 .
If there are "t" more poles than zeros then "t" loci will become infinite as K approaches infinity

5) Asymptotes of root loci
If F(s) has "t" more poles than zeros, the root loci are asymptotic to "t" straight lines making angles..

(2 b + 1)π / t,      b = 0,1,2,...t-1,

with the real axis . The root loci approach ssymptotes when K -> infinity..

6) Point of Intersection of asymptotes
Asymptotes intersect on the real axis at a point with abscissa

s_o = (1/t). [(p₁ + p₂ + ...p_n) - (z₁ + z₂ + ...z_m)]

p's and z's are respective poles and zeros ofthe characteristic equation.

7) Root loci on real axis
If F(s) has one or more real poles or zeros ,then the segment of the real axis having an odd number of real poles and zeros to its right will be occupied by a root locus.

8) Singularity/Breakaway Points
Singular points ( α_b ) indicate the presence of multiple characteristic roots, and occur at those values of s which for which dK/ds = 0..These points can also be obtained by solving the equation. (- p_i and - z_i are the poles and zeros respectively)

(-p_i and -z_i are the poles and zeros respectively)

Singularity /breakaway points ( α_b ) occur where two or more branches of the root-locus depart from or arrive at the real axis.

9) Intersection of root loci with imaginary axis
The intersections of root loci with the imaginary axis can be located by calculating the values of K which result in the imaginary characteristic roots.

10) Slopes of root loci at complex poles and zeros
The slope of a root loci at a complex pole or zero of F(s) can be found at at point in the neighborhood of the pole or zero using the method shown below

11) Calculation of K on the root loci.
The absolute magnitude of the value of K corresponding to any point s_o on a root locus can be found by measuring the lengths of the vectors drawn to s_o from the poles and zeros of F(s) and then evaluating

Consider the system with the open loop transfer function ( K > 0 & H(s) = 1 )

H(s)G(s) = K / (s² + 3s + 2 ) = K / (s+1) (s+2)

System has an open loop transfer function

K.G(s).H(s) = K (s + 1) / ( s² .(s + 9))

closed loop characteristic equation i ..1 + K.G(s)H(s) = 0 therefore

s³ + 9s² + K(s) + K = 0

Completing Evans Method.

1) There are three roots.

2) The characteristic equation has real coefficients so the loci is symmetrical about the real axis.

3) When K = 0 there is a double pole at s = 0 (singular point) and also a pole at s = -9

4) When K = infinity there are loci at s = -1 (zero) and s = infinity.

5) The asymptotes angles... 2 more poles than zeros therefore angles are π /2 & 3 π /2

6) The location of the asymptotes intersect the real axis is calculated by .. ( 0 - 9 - (-1) ) /2 = 4

7) Loci are to the left of odd poles/zeros's i.e left of -1 (between -1 & -9)

8) The break point (singularity point on the real axis ) is obtained by determining the value of s which satisfies the equation dK/ds = 0..
Solving the closed loop characteristic equation for K =

K = - (s³ + 9s²) / (s+1)

Differentiating (using du/dv = (vdu-udv)/v² )

(s³ + 9s²)-(s+1)(3s² +18s) = 0

...Therefore.. -2s³ - 12s² -18s = 0 ... and.. -2s(s+3)² - 0 Three solutions for s are at s = 0, s = -3 These are associated with a positive value of K when substituted into F(s).

9) A Routh array is constructed to determine the imaginary axis crossing points. ref Routh Stability Criteria

There is no sign change in column 1 for positive values of K so there is locus does not enter the right hand side of imaginary axis..

10 ) Rule not needed for this example..

The root locus plot is produced for this system as shown below...

The transient response of a closed-loop system is closely related to the location of the closed loop poles.

Many control systems can be represented by the general second order differential equation..

The coefficient (assumed positive) ω_n is the undamped natural frequency and ζ is the damping ratio.

The results of this equation can be shown on a s plane plot as below..