Question

1. The newly constructed bridge in your town is a steel arch bridge 600 m in length How much does the total length of the roadway decking change between temperature extremes of 30°C and 50°C?

Answer 1

We can find the change in length of the bridge from the formula:

$$\dfrac{\Delta L}{L_0}=\alpha\Delta T,$$ $$\Delta L=\alpha L_0\Delta T,$$ $$\Delta L=11\cdot10^{-6}\ ^{\circ}C^{-1}\cdot600\ m\cdot(50^{\circ}C-30^{\circ}C)=0.132\ m=13.2\ cm.$$