 A change in temperature can cause material to change its

dimensions.

 If the temperature increases, generally a material expands,

whereas if the temperature decreases, the material will contract.

 If this is the case, and the material is homogenous and

isotropic, it has been found from experiment that the
deformation of a member having a length L can be calculated
using the formula;
T =  T L
where,
=linear coefficient of thermal expansion (unit: 1/C)
T=change in temperature
L=original length of the member
T=change in length of the member
Example

Given: =12x10-6/C
Solution:
  FY  0
FA  FB  F

AB =0 0 The change in length of the bar

is zero (because the supports do
not move)
To determine the change in
length, remove the upper support
of the bar and obtain a bar is
fixed at the base and free to
displace at the upper end.
(  �) AB  T - F So the bar will elongate by an
amount δT when only
temperature change is acting
And the bar shortens by an
amount δF when only the reaction
is acting
(  �) AB  T -  F
T -  F  0
FL
TL - 0
AE
F(1)
12 �10-6 (60�- 30�
)(1) - 2 9
0
0.01 ( 200 �10 )
F(1)
3.6 �10-4 
0.012 ( 200 �109 )
F  3.6 �10-4 �0.012 ( 200 �109 )
 7.2kN

Average normal thermal stress:

F 7.2kN
s ; 2
 72 MPa
A 0.01
Example

Given:

st  12 �10-6 / �
C
 al  23 �10-6 / �
C
Est  200 �109 Pa
E al  73.1 �109 Pa
 �Fy  0, 2Fst  Fal - 90(103 )N  0.........eq(1)
st  al ...............................eq ( 2)
(  �) st  (st )T - (st )F
al  (al )T - (al )F
(st )T - (st )F  (al )T - (al )F
Fst L F L
TL -  TL - al
Ast E A al E
Fst (0.25)
12 �10-6 (80�- 20�
)(0.25) - 2 9

p(0.02) ( 200 �10 )
Fal (0.25)
23 �10-6 (80�- 20�
)(0.25) -
p(0.03)2 ( 73.1 �109 )
Fst (0.25) Fal (0.25)
1.8 �10-4 -  3.45 �10-4 -
251.327 �106 ) ( 206.685 �106 )
1.8 �10-4 - 9.947 �10-10 Fst  3.45 �10 -4 - 1.21 �10-9 Fal
- 9.947 �10-10 Fst  3.45 �10-4 - 1.21 �10-9 Fal - 1.8 �10 -4
1.65 �10-4 - 1.21 �10-9 Fal
Fst 
- 9.947 �10-10
 - 165.88 �103  1.216Fal ...............eq (3)
Substitute eq (3)int o eq(1)
2Fst  Fal - 90(103 )N  0
2( -165.88 �103  1.216Fal )  Fal - 90(103 )N  0
- 331.76 �103  2.432Fal  Fal - 90(103 )N  0
3.432Fal  421.76 �103
Fal  122.89 kN
Substitute Fal  122.89 kN int o eq (3)
Fst  - 165.88 �103  1.216Fal
 - 165.88 �103  1.216(122.89 �103 )
 - 16.445 kN

The negative value for F steel indicates that the

force acts opposite to arrow shown.
THE STEEL POSTS ARE IN TENSION and
ALUMINIUM POSTS IS IN COMPRESSION