11_06_17_SPIE_Coefficient of Thermal Expansion and the Gateway Arch

Classes:  SPIE
Date of Assignment 11.06.17
EQ(s):  What is the principle of thermal expansion?  Why does thermal expansion need to be a consideration for every construction project?



When the Gateway Arch in
St. Louis was being constructed, the workers were installing the final segment at the top, but
the gap was too small for it to fit.  The 25 foot section was .25" too large.  To make the segment
 fit, workers actually sprayed the two 600 foot sides down with water to cool them using the principle of thermal expansion.  If the Arch is constructed of stainless steel, which has a coefficient of .00000876, what temperature decrease did the workers have to get the sides to achieve for the segment to fit?

Email your equation, how you set up the problem, along with your answer to the instructor:

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