How to account for thermal expansion?

Daily Dose 042 | Mechanics of Materials

How to account for thermal expansion?

Thermal expansion.

If we are not accounting for it in all of our engineering designs we are introducing a potentially catastrophic flaw.

Failing to account for the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature, then we are –

Welp, we are screwed, and we are screwing the public.

We are sure to see a problem in this vicinity on the FE Exam – we can afford to mess this one up y’all.

In this video, we dive into an FE Exam Practice Problem in the subject of MECHANICS OF MATERIALS, showing you how to quickly and efficiently account for THERMAL EXPANSION.

Key Definition

What is THERMAL EXPANSION?

As a solid material experiences an increase in temperature, the volume of the structure is ultimately impacted by increasing.

This happens because when the material is at standard conditions, the molecules are located in close proximity to one another which contributes to the defined shape of the structure.

As temperature increases, the molecules begin to vibrate at a more rapid speed and push away from one another.

This increased separation between the individual atoms causes the solid to expand…increasing the volume of the structure.

So how can we account for thermal expansion?

Check out the video and see how we can go about solving this type of problem in the most efficient manner.

We are here to help.

As always, with Love, Prepineer

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