Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A steel girder long with a cross-section of is warmed by . Find how much it would grow if free. If it is held between rigid walls, find the stress and the force on each wall. (, .)
Wires end to end carry the same force, and their stretches add. Wires side by side share one stretch, and their forces add in proportion to . A clamped rod heated by carries a thermal stress , whatever its length.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Free growth. .
Step 2. Stress. .
Step 3. Force. .
Answer: ; ; , the weight of about tonnes.
Watch out. This is why bridges have expansion joints.
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