The discussion focuses on calculating the change in length of the Golden Gate Bridge's main steel span due to a temperature increase of 20°C, assuming no expansion joints are present. The correct formula for this calculation is: change in Length = Length * coefficient of linear expansion * change in temperature. For a length of 1.3 km and a coefficient of linear expansion of 11 x 10^-6, the correct change in length is 0.286 meters. Miscalculations were noted, including incorrect division by 20 in the formula.
PREREQUISITESCivil engineers, structural engineers, and students studying thermal expansion in materials will benefit from this discussion.
your formula is correct, so why did you divide by 20??dymand68 said:Homework Statement
Suppose the 1.3 km main span of steel for the Golden Gate Bridge had no expansion joints. How much longer would it be for an increase in temperature of 20°C?
Homework Equations
change in Length=Length*coefficient linear expansion*change in temp.
=1300*(11*10^-6/20)*20
The Attempt at a Solution
incorrect:
.0143 meters
.2625
.1575
correct answer =.286 meters