Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Thermal Stresses and Strains

Whenever there is some increase or decrease in the temperature of a body, it causes the body
to expand or contract. A little consideration will show that if the body is allowed to expand or
contract freely, with the rise or fall of temperature, no stresses are induced in the body. But if
the deformation of the body is prevented, some stresses are induced in the body. Such stresses
are called thermal stresses or temperature stresses. The corresponding strain are called thermal
strains or temperature strains.

Thermal Stresses in Simple Bars:

The thermal stresses or strains, in a simple bar, may be found out as discussed below:
1. Calculate the amount of deformation due to change of temperature with the assumption
that bar is free to expand or contract.
2. Calculate the load or force required to bring the deformed bar to the original length.
3. Calculate the stress and strain in the bar caused by this load.

The thermal stresses or strains may also be found out first by finding out amount of deformation
due to change in temperature, and then by finding out the thermal strain due to the deformation.
The thermal stress may now be found out from the thermal strain as usual. Now consider a
body subjected to an increase in temperature.
Let,
𝑙 = 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦
𝑡 = 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝛼 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

We know that the increase in length due to increase of temperature.

𝛿𝑙 = 𝑙 × 𝛼 × 𝑡
If the ends of the bar are fixed to rigid supports, so that its expansion is prevented, then
compressive strain induced in the bar.
𝛿𝑙 𝑙 × 𝛼 × 𝑡
𝜖= = =𝛼×𝑡
𝑙 𝑙
Stress,
𝜎 =𝜖×𝐸 = 𝛼×𝑡×𝐸

If the supports yield by an amount equal to δ, then the actual expansion that has taken place,

𝛿𝑙 = 𝑙 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 − 𝛿

And strain,
𝛿𝑙 𝑙 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 − 𝛿 𝛿
𝜖= = = (𝛼𝑡 − )
𝑙 𝑙 𝑙
Stress,
𝛿
𝜎 = 𝜖 × 𝐸 = (𝛼𝑡 − ) 𝐸
𝑙

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Problem-1:
Two parallel walls 6 m apart are stayed together by a steel rod 25 mm diameter passing through
metal plates and nuts at each end. The nuts are tightened home, when the rod is at a temperature
of 1000C. Determine the stress in the rod, when the temperature falls down to 600C, if
(a) The ends do not yield, and
(b) The ends yield by 1 mm.
Take 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 and 𝛼 = 12 × 10−6 /℃

Solution:
Given that,
Length of the parallel wall, 𝑙 = 6 𝑚 = 6 × 103 𝑚𝑚
Diameter, 𝑑 = 25 𝑚𝑚
Decrease in temperature, 𝑡 = 1000 − 600 = 400 𝐶
Change in length, 𝛿𝑙 = 1 𝑚𝑚
Modulus of elasticity, 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 200 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Coefficient of linear expansion, 𝛼 = 12 × 10−6 /℃

(a) Stress in the rod when the ends do not yield

We know that stress in the rod when the ends do not yield
𝜎1 = 𝛼 × 𝑡 × 𝐸
= 12 × 10−6 × 400 × 200 × 103 = 96 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 96 𝑀𝑃𝑎

(b) Stress in the rod when the ends yield by 1 mm

We also know that stress in the rod when the ends yield
𝛿𝑙
𝜎2 = (𝛼𝑡 − ) 𝐸
𝑙
1
= [(12 × 10−6 × 400 ) − ] × 200 × 103
6 × 103
= 62.6 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 62.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Thermal Stresses in Bars of Circular Tapering Section:

Consider a circular bar of uniformly tapering section fixed at its ends A and B and subjected to
an increase of temperature as shown in figure above.

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Let,
𝑙 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟
𝑑1 = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟
𝑑2 = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟
𝑡 = 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝛼 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

We know that as a result of the increase in temperature, the bar AB will tend to expand. But
since it is fixed at both of its ends, therefore it will cause some compressive stress.

We also know that the increase in length due to increase in temperature,

𝛿𝑙 = 𝑙 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 … … … … (𝑖)
Now let,
𝑃 = 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

We know that decrease in the length of the circular bar due to load P,

4𝑃𝑙
𝛿𝑙 = … … … … (𝑖𝑖)
𝜋𝐸𝑑1 𝑑2
Equating equations (i) and (ii),
4𝑃𝑙
𝑙×𝛼×𝑡 =
𝜋𝐸𝑑1 𝑑2
𝜋𝐸𝑑1 𝑑2 × 𝛼 × 𝑡
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃 =
4
Maximum stress,
𝑃 𝜋𝐸𝑑1 𝑑2 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 𝛼 × 𝑡 × 𝐸 × 𝑑1
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋 = 𝜋 =
× 𝑑 2
4 × × 𝑑 2 𝑑2
4 2 4 2

If we substitute, 𝑑1 = 𝑑2 , the above relation is reduced to

𝜎 = 𝛼×𝑡×𝐸

Problem-2:
A rigidly fixed circular bar 1.75 m long uniformly tapers from 125 mm diameter at one end to
100 mm diameter at the other. If the maximum stress in the bar is not to exceed 108 MPa, find
the temperature through which it can be heated. Take E and 𝛼 for the bar material as 100 GPa
and 18 × 10−6 /𝐾 respectively.

Solution:
Given that,
Length of the bar, 𝑙 = 1.75 𝑚 = 1.75 × 103 𝑚𝑚
Diameter at one end, 𝑑1 = 125 𝑚𝑚
Diameter at another end, 𝑑2 = 100 𝑚𝑚
Maximum stress, 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 108 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 108 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Modulus of elasticity, 𝐸 = 100 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 100 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Coefficient of linear expansion, 𝛼 = 18 × 10−6 /𝐾

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Let,
𝑡 = 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐾

We know that maximum stress in the bar (𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 ),

𝛼 × 𝑡 × 𝐸 × 𝑑1
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑑2
18 × 10−6 × 𝑡 × 100 × 103 × 125
𝑜𝑟, 108 = = 2.25 × 𝑡
100
108
𝑜𝑟, 𝑡 = = 48 𝐾
2.25

Thermal Stress in Bars of Varying Section:

Consider a bar ABC fixed at its ends A and C and subjected to an increase of temperature as
shown in figure above.
Let,
𝑙1 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝐵
𝜎1 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝐵
𝐴1 = 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝐵
𝑙2 , 𝜎2 , 𝐴2 = 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐵𝐶
𝑡 = 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝛼 = 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

We know that as a result of the increase in temperature, the bar ABC will tend to expand. But
since it is fixed at its ends A and C, therefore, it will cause some compressive stress in the body.
Moreover, as the thermal stress is shared equally by both the portions, therefore,
𝜎1 × 𝐴1 = 𝜎2 × 𝐴2

Moreover, the total deformation of the bar (assuming it to be free to expand)

𝛿𝑙 = 𝛿𝑙1 + 𝛿𝑙2
𝜎1 × 𝑙1 𝜎2 × 𝑙2 1
= + = × (𝜎1 × 𝑙1 + 𝜎2 × 𝑙2 )
𝐸 𝐸 𝐸
Sometimes, the modulus of elasticity is different for different sections. In such cases, the total
deformation,
𝜎1 × 𝑙1 𝜎2 × 𝑙2
𝛿𝑙 = +
𝐸1 𝐸2

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Problem-3:
A steel rod ABC is firmly held between two rigid supports A and C as shown in figure below:

Find the stresses developed in the two portions of the rod, when it is heated through 15 K. Take
E = 100 GPa and 𝛼 = 12 × 10−6 /𝐾.

Solution:
Area of part 1, 𝐴1 = 400 𝑚𝑚2
Length of part 1, 𝑙1 = 500 𝑚𝑚
Area of part 2, 𝐴2 = 600 𝑚𝑚2
Length of part 2, 𝑙2 = 800 𝑚𝑚
Rise in temperature, 𝑡 = 15 𝐾
Modulus of elasticity, 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 200 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Coefficient of linear expansion, 𝛼 = 12 × 10−6 /𝐾
Let,
𝜎1 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝐵 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝜎2 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐵𝐶 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
Since the thermal load is shared equally by both the portions, therefore stress developed in the
portion AB,
𝐴2 600
𝜎1 = × 𝜎2 = × 𝜎2 = 1.5 × 𝜎2
𝐴1 400

We know that free expansion of part 1 due to increase in temperature,

𝛿𝑙1 = 𝑙1 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 = 500 × (12 × 10−6 ) × 15 = 0.09 𝑚𝑚

And
𝛿𝑙2 = 𝑙2 × 𝛼 × 𝑡 = 800 × (12 × 10−6 ) × 15 = 0.144 𝑚𝑚

Total expansion of the rod,

𝛿𝑙 = 𝛿𝑙1 + 𝛿𝑙2 = 0.09 + 0.144 = 0.234 𝑚𝑚
Now let us assume a compressive force to be applied at A and C, which will cause a contraction
of 0.234 mm of the rod, (i.e. equal to the total expansion). Therefore,
1
𝛿𝑙 = × (𝜎1 × 𝑙1 + 𝜎2 × 𝑙2 )
𝐸
1
𝑜𝑟, 0.234 = × (1.5 × 𝜎2 × 500 + 𝜎2 × 800) = 7.75 × 10−3 × 𝜎2
200 × 103
0.234
𝑜𝑟, 𝜎2 = = 30.2 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 30.2 𝑀𝑃𝑎
7.75 × 10−3
So,
𝜎1 = 1.5 × 𝜎2 = 1.5 × 30.2 = 45.3 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

Superposition of Thermal Stresses:

In the previous articles, we have been discussing the thermal stresses in the bars, which were
initially free of any type of tensile or compressive stresses. But sometimes, we come across
structures, which are subjected to same loading, before their temperature is increased or
decreased. Such problems are solved in the following two steps:
1. First of all, find out the stresses caused in its members before there is any change in
temperature.
2. Now find out the stresses due to change in temperature and use the principle of
superposition on the stresses already obtained.
3. Finally add the two stresses obtained above.

Problem-4:
A composite bar made up of aluminium bar and steel bar is firmly held between two unyielding
supports as shown in figure below:

An axial load of 200 kN is applied at B at 320 K. Find the stresses in each material, when the
temperature is 370 K. Take E for aluminium and steel as 70 GPa and 210 GPa respectively.
Take α for aluminium and steel as 24 × 10−6 /𝐾 and 12 × 10−6 /𝐾 respectively.

Solution:
Given that,
Length of aluminium bar, 𝑙𝐴 = 100 𝑚𝑚
Area of aluminium bar, 𝐴𝐴 = 1000 𝑚𝑚2
Length of steel bar, 𝑙𝑠 = 150 𝑚𝑚
Area of steel bar, 𝐴𝑠 = 1500 𝑚𝑚2
Axial load, 𝑃 = 200 𝑘𝑁 = 200 × 103 𝑁
Rise in temperature, 𝑡 = 370 − 320 = 50 𝐾
Modulus of elasticity of aluminium, 𝐸𝐴 = 70 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 70 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Modulus of elasticity of steel, 𝐸𝑆 = 210 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 210 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Coefficient of linear expansion of aluminium, 𝛼𝐴 = 24 × 10−6 /𝐾
Coefficient of linear expansion of steel, 𝛼𝑆 = 12 × 10−6 /𝐾

First of all, let us find out the stresses developed in the aluminium bar and steel bar due to the
application of 200 kN load at B.
Let,
𝑃1 = 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝐴𝐵 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑁

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

We know that increase in length of the aluminium bar,

𝑃1 × 𝑙𝐴 𝑃1 × 103 × 100 𝑃1
𝛿𝐴 = = 3
= … … … … (𝑖)
𝐴𝐴 × 𝐸𝐴 1000 × 70 × 10 700

Similarly, decrease in length of the steel bar,

(200 − 𝑃1 ) × 103 × 𝑙𝑆 (200 − 𝑃1 ) × 103 × 150 (200 − 𝑃1 )

𝛿𝑆 = = = … … … … (𝑖𝑖)
𝐴𝑆 × 𝐸𝑆 1500 × 210 × 103 2100

Since the values of 𝛿𝐴 is equal to that of 𝛿𝑆 , therefore equating equations (i) and (ii),

𝑃1 (200 − 𝑃1 )
=
700 2100
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃1 = 50 𝑘𝑁
Stress in aluminium bar due to axial load,
𝑃1 50 × 103
𝜎𝐴1 = = = 50 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝐴𝐴 1000

Stress in steel bar due to axial load,

200 − 𝑃1 150 × 103
𝜎𝑆1 = = = 100 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝐴𝑆 1500

Let us find out the stresses developed in aluminium bar and steel bar due to increase in the
temperature. Since the thermal load is shared equally by both the parts, therefore stress in
aluminium bar due to increase in temperature,
𝐴𝑆 1500
𝜎𝐴2 = × 𝜎𝑆2 = × 𝜎𝑆2 = 1.5 × 𝜎𝑆2
𝐴𝐴 1000
We know that free expansion of the aluminium bar due to increase in temperature,

𝛿𝑙𝐴2 = 𝑙𝐴 × 𝛼𝐴 × 𝑡 = 100 × 24 × 10−6 × 50 = 0.12 𝑚𝑚

And
𝛿𝑙𝑆2 = 𝑙𝑆 × 𝛼𝑆 × 𝑡 = 150 × 12 × 10−6 × 50 = 0.09 𝑚𝑚

Total expansion of the bar,

𝛿𝑙 = 𝛿𝑙𝐴2 + 𝛿𝑙𝑆2 = 0.12 + 0.09 = 0.21 𝑚𝑚

Now let us assume a tensile force to be applied at A and C, which will cause a contraction of
0.21 mm of the bar, (i.e. equal to the total expansions). Therefore,

𝜎𝐴2 × 𝑙𝐴 𝜎𝑆2 × 𝑙𝑆
𝛿𝑙 = +
𝐸𝐴 𝐸𝑆
1.5 × 𝜎𝑆2 × 100 𝜎𝑆2 × 150 600 × 𝜎𝑆2
𝑜𝑟, 0.21 = 3
+ 3
=
70 × 10 210 × 10 210 × 103
0.21 × 210 × 103
𝑜𝑟, 𝜎𝑆2 = = 73.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
600

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

And
𝜎𝐴2 = 1.5 × 𝜎𝑆2 = 1.5 × 73.5 = 110.3 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)

Total stress in aluminium,

𝜎𝐴 = 𝜎𝐴1 + 𝜎𝐴2 = 50 − 110.3 = −60.3 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 60.3 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)

And
Total stress in steel,
𝜎𝑆 = 𝜎𝑆1 + 𝜎𝑆2 = 100 + 73.5 = 173.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 173.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)

Problem-5:
A steel rod of 20 mm diameter passes centrally through a tight-fitting copper tube of external
diameter 40 mm. The tube is closed with the help of rigid washers of negligible thickness and
nuts threaded on the rod. The nuts are tightened till the compressive load on the tube is 50 kN
as shown in figure below.

Determine the stresses in the rod and the tube, when the temperature of the assembly falls, by
50 K. Take E for steel and copper as 200 GPa and 100 GPa respectively. Take coefficient of
expansion for steel and copper as 12 × 10−6 /𝐾 and 18 × 10−6 /𝐾 respectively.

Solution:
Diameter of the steel rod, 𝑑𝑠 = 20 𝑚𝑚
External diameter of copper tube = 40 𝑚𝑚
Internal diameter of copper tube = 20 𝑚𝑚 (because of tight-fitting)
Compressive load, 𝑃 = 50 𝑘𝑁 = 50 × 103 𝑁
Fall in temperature, 𝑡 = 50 𝐾
Modulus of elasticity of copper, 𝐸𝐶 = 100 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 100 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Modulus of elasticity of steel, 𝐸𝑆 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 200 × 103 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Coefficient of linear expansion of copper, 𝛼𝐶 = 18 × 10−6 /𝐾
Coefficient of linear expansion of steel, 𝛼𝑆 = 12 × 10−6 /𝐾
Let,
𝜎𝑆 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑟𝑜𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝜎𝐶 = 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒

We know that area of the steel rod,

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑆 = × 𝑑𝑠2 = × 202 = 100𝜋 𝑚𝑚2
4 4

And area of the copper tube,

𝜋
𝐴𝐶 = × [402 − 202 ] = 300𝜋 𝑚𝑚2
4

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd
 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200

First of all, let us find out the stresses of copper tube and steel rod due to a compressive load
of 50 kN. We know that compressive load on the copper tube is equal to tensile load on the
steel rod. Therefore, stress in the steel rod,
𝐴𝐶 300𝜋
𝜎𝑆1 = × 𝜎𝐶1 = × 𝜎𝐶1 = 3 × 𝜎𝐶1
𝐴𝑆 100𝜋
And load,
𝑃 = 𝜎𝑆1 × 𝐴𝑆 + 𝜎𝐶1 × 𝐴𝐶
𝑜𝑟, 50 × 103 = 3 × 𝜎𝐶1 × 100𝜋 + 𝜎𝐶1 × 300𝜋 = 600𝜋 𝜎𝐶1
50 × 103
𝑜𝑟, 𝜎𝐶1 = = 26.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒)
600𝜋
And
𝜎𝑆1 = 3 × 𝜎𝐶1 = 3 × 26.5 = 79.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)

Now let us find out the stresses developed in the steel rod and copper tube due to fall in
temperature. Thus, the copper tube will be subjected to tension and steel rod will be subjected
to compression. Since the tensile load on the copper tube is equal to the compressive load on
the steel rod, therefore stress in steel,
𝜎𝑆2 = 3 × 𝜎𝐶2
We know that strain in copper tube,
𝜎𝐶2 𝜎𝐶2
𝜖𝐶 = =
𝐸𝐶 100 × 103
And
𝜎𝑆2 𝜎𝑆2
𝜖𝑆 = =
𝐸𝑆 200 × 103
So,
𝜖𝐶 + 𝜖𝑆 = 𝑡 × (𝛼𝐶 − 𝛼𝑆 )
𝜎𝐶2 𝜎𝑆2
𝑜𝑟, 3
+ = 50 × [(18 × 10−6 ) − (12 × 10−6 )]
100 × 10 200 × 103
𝜎𝐶2 3 × 𝜎𝐶2
𝑜𝑟, + = 50 × (6 × 10−6 )
100 × 103 200 × 103
5 × 𝜎𝐶2
𝑜𝑟, = 300 × 10−6
200 × 103
𝑜𝑟, 𝜎𝐶2 = 12 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
And
𝜎𝑆2 = 3 × 𝜎𝐶2 = 3 × 12 = 36 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒)

Net stress in the copper tube,

𝜎𝐶 = 𝜎𝐶1 + 𝜎𝐶2 = 26.5 − 12 = 14.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 14.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒)

And
𝜎𝑆 = 𝜎𝑆1 + 𝜎𝑆2 = 79.5 − 36 = 43.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 = 43.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)

Md. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Cell No.: 01738283091
Email: rashed.civil@hstu.ac.bd