Finding axial extension in steel bar

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the axial extension of a cylindrical steel bar with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 5.0 m under a tensile load of 40 kN. The correct approach involves using the formulas for stress (\(\sigma = F/A\)) and strain (\(e = \Delta L / L_0\)), with Young's modulus for steel assumed to be 210 GPa. The initial calculations yielded an incorrect extension due to an error in calculating the cross-sectional area, which should be based on the diameter rather than the radius. The final correct extension is determined to be 0.0303 mm after ensuring consistent units.

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Homework Statement


A cylindrical steel bar, 20-mm in diameter and 5.0-m in length, is subjected to an axial tensile load of 40-kN applied at the ends of the steel bar. Determine the axial extension, in millimeters, of the steel bar under this loading condition?

Homework Equations



E=\sigma/e

\sigma = F/A

e= change in L / Lo

The Attempt at a Solution



To find the extension we need to find (change in Lo)

\sigma = 40x103/((.12x pi)/4) = 50265482.46

Even though not given in the question I am presuming E for steel = 210Gpa

therefore, e = 50265482.46/ 210x109 = 2.393594403x10-4

as e = (change in L/Lo), the change in length = (2.393594403x10-4 x 5) = 1.2x10-3 m and 1.2 mm
This is a multiple choice question and this is not one of the answers, can anyone see where I am going wrong?

ANSWERS: 5x10-5 , 0.05, 3.2x10-3, 5.0, 3.2
 
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First of all, the area equals D^2 x PI / 4, where D is the diameter. You calculated as if it were the radius.
 
Thanks for the quick reply

I did new calculations and still am getting a wrong answer,

I found the \sigma = 1273239.545

the strain = 6.063045452x10-6

and the extension I found to be .0303 mm

I reckon it has to do with the value I am using for E but it wasn't given in the question so I am not sure, any thoughts?
 
Make sure your units are consistent - use milimeters for length and Newtons for force (i.e. megapascals for stress), and convert the assumed steel "Gpa" to "Mpa".
 

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