Question

When the outside temperature is 5.2 ⁰C, a steel beam of cross-sectional area 52 cm2 is installed in a building with the ends of the beam bolted securely to two immovable pillars. In the summer thetemperature of the beam rises to 37⁰C. What is the compressional force FN on the beam? The coefficient of linear expansion of steel 1.1 × 10−5?C−1 and Young’s modulus of steel is 2 × 1011 N/m2. Answer in units of N.

Answer 1

Multiply the coefficient by the change in temperature:

1.1*10^-5 x (37-5.2) = 0.0003498

Multiply Young's modulus by the area by the above answer:

2*10^11 x 52 * 0.0003498 x (1/100)^2 = 3.63792 x 10^5 N