Stress & Safety Calculation for Girder w/ Temp Change

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of stress and safety factors for a girder subjected to a tensile load and temperature change. Participants are addressing a homework problem that involves evaluating tensile stress, factor of safety, and strain due to thermal expansion and applied load.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the stress due to temperature change and applies it to find the factor of safety and strain, but seeks confirmation on the correctness of their approach.
  • Another participant points out that the strain from thermal expansion and the strain from the applied load are additive, suggesting a need to separate these components to find the stress due to the load alone.
  • A different participant clarifies that the initial stress calculation assumes fixed ends, which does not align with the problem's requirements.
  • One participant attempts to reformulate their approach by incorporating total strain and thermal strain into their calculations, but expresses confusion over the correct transposition of equations.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for clarity in the equation forms used and highlights inconsistencies in length values used in calculations.
  • Further attempts to clarify the relationship between stress, strain, and temperature change lead to additional confusion and corrections among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct method for calculating stress and safety factors. Multiple competing views and approaches remain, with ongoing corrections and refinements to earlier claims.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the assumptions made in the calculations, particularly concerning the treatment of thermal strain and the definition of total strain. Participants also express uncertainty about the correct values for change in length and how they affect the calculations.

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Homework Statement


The length of a unstressed girder is found to be 1.2m at a temp of 20 oC. A tensile load is then applied and some time later the temp is 50 oC and the length of the girder 1.202m evaluate:
(a) the tensile stress due to the applied load in the girder.

(b) the factor of safety that is in operation if the UTS for the girder is 550MN/m2

(c) the strain and hence the change in length of the girder, if the temp remains at 20 oC

E = 200 GN/m2 coefficient of linear expansion = 12 x 10 - 6

Homework Equations



X = length x coefficient of linear expansion x change in temp

strain = coefficient of linear expansion x change in temp

stress = modulus of elasticity x coefficient of linear expansion x change in temp

stress = U.T.S/ F.S

The Attempt at a Solution


(a) stress = 200 x 10 9 x 12 x 10 - 6 x 30 oC ( this is from 50 oC- 20 oC = 30 oC)
= 72 MN/m2

(b) f.s = u.t.s/stress
550 x 10 6 / 72 x 10 6 = 7.63

(c) strain = coefficient of linear expansion x change in temp
12 x 10 -6 x 20 oC = 0.24 x 10 -3

if someone would be so kind to tell me if this correct it will be much appreciated.
 
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This isn't quite right. The strain from the load and the strain from thermal expansion are additive. Try subtracting the thermal strain from the total strain to get the strain from the load only and using that to calculate the load.
 
is this for part c or all of the question because i have taken away 50 oC - 20 oC = 30 oC
thanks for your reply.
 
The problem is with part (a). What you have calculated is the stress that would exist in the girder if it were fixed at both ends and underwent a temperature increase of 30°C. But that's not what the question is looking for.
 
This is what i did originally

stress/modulus of elasticity = coefficient of linear expansion x temp change - total strain
where modulus of elasticity = change in length / original length

= 0.02/1200 = 0.01666 x 10 -3 mm

therefore stress = E ( COEFFICIENT OF LINEAR EXPANSION X CHANGE IN TEMP - TOTAL STRAIN

200x10 9 x ( 12x10-6 x 30 - 0.01666 x 10 -3) = 68.668 x 10 6

i got told it was transposed wrong but don't no where just pulling my hair out now
 
This is closer. The total strain is the thermal strain plus the strain from the load. You just need to express this correctly in equation form. Also, you've used a couple different length values (is the change in length 0.002m or 0.02mm?), so make sure to check that.
 
so is this correct

stress = E ( coeffficient of linear expansion x change in temp + total strain

so stress = 200x10 9 x 12 x 10-6 x 30 + 1.666x10-6 = 72 x 10 6
 
No. Read my posts again.
 
try again

stress = E x coefficient of linear expansion x total strain + change in temp

transposition arhh
 

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