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liz_p88
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Homework Statement
A highway is made of concrete slabs that are 15 m long at 20.0°C. (a) If the temperature range at the location of the highway is from -20.0°C to +40.0°C, what size expansion gap should be left (at 20.0°C) to prevent buckling of the highway? (b) How large are the gaps at -20.0°C?
Homework Equations
Coefficient of Linear Expansion for concrete is 12 (10^-6 K^-1)
Change in length = (coefficient of linear expansion)(initial length)(change in temp)
The Attempt at a Solution
(a) I did {(12 x 10^-6 K^-1)(15m)(40C)} = .0072 m or .72 cm
{(12 x 10^-6 K^-1)(15m)(20C)} = .0036 m or .36 cm
.72 + .36 = 1.08 cm
(b) .72 cm