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? asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 6 years ago

my work is at the end of the ques. but i get the answer wrong?

Concrete sidewalks are always laid in sections, with gaps between each section. For example, the drawing shows three identical 2.4-m sections, the outer two of which are against immovable walls. The two identical gaps between the sections are provided so that thermal expansion will not create the thermal stress that could lead to cracks. What is the minimum gap width necessary to account for an increase in temperature of 38° C? (See Table 12.1 for appropriate constants

K=7.4e-13

L=7.4e-13x2.4x38°=.0010944

.0010944x(3/2)=.0016416m

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  • 6 years ago

    There are 2 major mistakes.

    No way is the coefficient of linear expansion of concrete 7.4e-13 (and you forgot the units!).

    A typical value is 1.45e-5 ⁰C⁻¹

    And no way is 7.4e-13x2.4x38°=0.0010944 (and you forgot the units!)

    It comes to 6.75e-11 m.

    ______________________________

    Using 1.45e-5 ⁰C⁻¹ for the coefficient of linear expansion:

    Each block expands an amount d:

    d = 1.45e-5 ⁰C⁻¹ x 2.4 x 38°= 0.00132m

    Call each gap size G. So the total amount of allowed expansion is 2G as there are 2 gaps,

    Each block expands by an amount 0.00132m. Since there are 3 blocks:

    3 x 0.00132 = 2G

    G =(3/2) x 0.00132 = 2.0e-3m (=2mm)

    The official answer may be slightly different depending on what value is used for the coefficient of linear expansion of concrete.

  • 6 years ago

    If K is the linear expansion coefficient for concrete, it is much too small. It should be on the order of e-6 not e-13. Perhaps you have looked up the wrong data.

    Apart from the above mistake, your calculation of the expansion

    ∆L=7.4e-13x2.4x38°=.0010944

    .0010944x(3/2)=.0016416m

    uses the correct method, but your arithmetic is wrong, it should be 1.0e-10m.

    Your answer should be quoted to 2 sig figs, the same as 2.4. 7.4 and 38.

  • 6 years ago

    ΔL=kLΔT

    ΔL=7.4e^-13*2.4*38 =1.525 mm

    the distance X between the walls is

    X=3L+3ΔL

    it must be

    X=3L+2x

    then

    gap is

    x=3/2ΔL = 2.288 mm

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