THERMAL STRESSES:

Temperature changes cause the body to expand or contract. The amount 𝛿𝑇

is given by;

𝛿𝑇 = 𝛼𝐿 𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖 = 𝛼𝐿∆𝑇
where:
𝛼 – coefficient of thermal expansion in 𝑚𝑚Τ𝑚𝑚°𝐶
𝐿 – length in (m, mm, ft, in)
𝑇𝑓 - final temperature in °𝐶, °𝐹
𝑇𝑖 - initial temperature in °𝐶, °𝐹
For steel 𝛼 = 11.25𝑥10−6 Τ°𝐶
If temperature deformation is permitted to occur freely, no loads
or stress will be induced to the structures. In some cases were
temperature deformation is not permitted, an internal stress is
created, the internal stress created is called thermal stress.
For homogeneous rod mounted between unyielding supports as shown,
the thermal stress is computed as;
Deformation due to temperature change;
𝛿𝑇 = 𝛼𝐿∆𝑇
Deformation due to an equivalent axial stress;
𝛿𝑃 = 𝛿𝑇
𝑃𝐿 𝑃
𝐴𝐸
= 𝛼𝐿∆𝑇, but 𝐴
=𝜎
𝜎𝐿
= 𝛼𝐿∆𝑇
𝐸
𝜎 = 𝐸𝛼∆𝑇
where:
𝜎 = thermal stress
𝐸 = modulus of elasticity

If the wall yields a distance 𝑥 as shown;

𝛿𝑇 = 𝑥 + 𝛿𝑃
𝜎𝐿
𝛼𝐿∆𝑇 = 𝑥 +
𝐸
𝑥
𝜎 = 𝐸 𝛼∆𝑇 − where: 𝜎 represents the thermal stress
𝐿
Note:
A rise in temperature, the rod will be in compression, a drop in
temperature the rod will be in tension.

Illustrative Problem:
A steel rod with a cross-sectional area of 0.25 𝑖𝑛2 is stretched between
two fixed points. The tensile load at 70°𝐹 is 1200 𝑙𝑏. Assuming 𝛼 = 6.6𝑥10−6Τ°𝐹
and 𝐸 = 29𝑥106 𝑝𝑠𝑖, determine;
a) the stress at 0℉
b) the temperature when the stress is zero
Illustrative Problem:
Calculate the increase in stress for each segment of the compound bar
shown in Fig. P-266 if the temperature increases by 100°F. Assume that
the supports are unyielding and that the bar is suitably braced against
buckling. (www.mathalino.com)
Illustrative Problem:

For the assembly shown, determine the stress in each of the two vertical
rods if the temperature rises 40℃ after the load 𝑃 = 50 𝑘𝑁 is applied.
Neglect the deformation and mass of the bar AB
Illustrative Problem:
A 1.2-m concrete post is reinforced by four steel bars, each of diameter
18-mm. Using 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎, 𝛼 = 11.7𝑥10−6 Τ℃ for steel and 𝐸 = 25 𝐺𝑃𝑎, 𝛼
= 9.9𝑥10−6 Τ℃ for concrete, determine the stresses induced in the steel
and in the concrete by a temperature rise of 27℃.

Given:
𝐸𝑠 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎
𝛼𝑠 = 11.7𝑥10−6 Τ℃
𝐸𝑐 = 25 𝐺𝑃𝑎
𝛼𝑐 = 9.9𝑥10−6 Τ℃
∆𝑇 = 27℃