Behaviour of rod systems

subjected to geometric
and thermal loads.

BŁAŻ E J ST YGAR
 Materials subjected to thermal
influences change their length and
volume. This phenomena is
characterized by a coefficient of linear
expansion α which represents the
Thermal loads expansion of a rod of 1[m] length
heated by 1°C. The value of this
coefficient depends on the kind of
material. In the case of steel α=10 -5.
Uneven heat of a rod
Let us consider a rod that has been heated from the initial temperature
tm (constant in the whole cross-section) to the final state.

tg – temperature of upper fibers

td – temperature of lower fibers

Δl – linear exapnasion of rod, Δl= α*l*Δt0

Δt0 – change of the temperature in the neutral axis of the cross-section of a

rod

Δt0 = t0 - tm

t0 – temperature in the neutral axis

tm – initial temperature of the rod

Statically determinate and indeterminate
structures

In the case of statically determinate structures the displacements caused by changes of

temperature are not restricted and they do not cause any internal forces. In the case of
statically indeterminate structures the displacements caused by changes of temperature are
restricted and they cause additional internal forces in the system. The problem of
calculating this additional internal forces may be solved using the force method or the
displacement method.
Force method –
unknown forces

The displacements caused

by thermal load may be
calculated from following
part of Maxwell-Mohr
formula:
Force method
After solving the set of equations of force method we obtain all of the coefficients necessary
to calculate bending moments. Final formula for bending moment caused by thermal load
is:
Displacement
method – unknown
displacements

Here the value of temperature influence on the

structure is determined in two stages:

analysis of the influence of uniformly

distributed temperature at the cross-section
height t0

analysis of the influence of non-uniformly

distributed temperature Δt

Uniform heating of the bars results in their

lengthening or shortening in accordance with
the assumptions of the displacement method.
The change of the length may be calculated
from formula:
Displacement method
The changes of length of the rods will
cause linear displacements of nodes of a
structure. First it is necessary to draw the
displacements due to t0 and then we can
draw diagram of bending moments Mt0
using tables of typical schemes of rods.

The next step is consideration of the

difference of temperature of lower and
upper fibers (non-uniform temp. load). It
is necessary to draw diagram of moment
MΔt This can be done using the diagrams
of moments under non-uniform
temperature load in the typical schemes
of rods.
Displacement
method
Then we should do the
superposition of both
diagrams to get diagram MT
and calculate reactions rit .
Last step is solving the set of
equations of the displacement
method.
Final formula for bending
moment caused by thermal
load is:
 By the geometric load we understand forced displacements
of certain points in structures. This displacements may be
known and constant (as for example some inaccuracies in the
assembly process) or their value may depend on the value of
the reaction (as for example in a case of flexible support).

GEOMETRIC Similary to thermal loads, geometric loads can be solved by

LOADS means of force method or displacement method.

There are two types of geometric loads:

- displacement at the support

- rotation at the support

Force method
he displacements caused by geometric load may be
calculated from following part of the Maxwell-Mohr
formula:

In the case of geometric loads the set of equations of the

force method takes the form:

Final formula for bending moment caused by geometric

load is:
Displacement method
First we should draw displacement plan from geometric
load. Then, we can draw diagram of brnding moments
due to geometric load MG using the diagrams for typical
schemes of rods calculate coefficients riG .

In the case of geometric loads the set of equations of the

displacement method takes the form:

Final formula for bending moment caused by geometric

load takes form: