A bridge is made with segments of concrete 91 m long (at the original temperature). If the linear expansion coefficient for concrete is 1.2 * 10-5 (◦C) - 1, how much spacing is needed to allow for expansion for an increase in temperature of 56◦F? Answer in units of cm.

change in length is 3.397 cm

Explanation:

Given data

long = 91 m = 9100 cm

coefficient for concrete (a) = 1.2 * 10-5 (◦C) - 1

temperature = 56 F = (56 * 5/9) ◦C

to find out

how much spacing is needed to allow

solution

we know allow space is given by this formula

change in length = coefficient for concrete * given length * temperature ... 1

put all value in equation 1

change in length = 1.2 * 10-5 * 9100 * (56 * 5/9)

change in length = 3.397 cm

so change in length is 3.397 cm