The roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge is 1320 m long and it is supported by a st

Question

The roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge is 1320 m long and it is supported by a steel structure. If the temprature varies from -30C to 39C. how much does the lenght change? the result indicates the size of the thermal expansion joints that must be built into the structure. Without the joints the surfaces would buckle on very hot days or crack due to contraction on very cold days.

2) Give at least two additional examples where the thermal expansion must be taken into account when designing structures or devices?.

Explanation / Answer

Change in length due to thermal expansion

delta L = Lo* alpha*delta T

here Lo = 1320 m

alpha for steel = 13 x 10-6 / deg C

change in temperature delta T = 39-(-30) = 69 deg

hence change in length = 1320* 13 x 10-6*69 =1.184 m Ans.

2.

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