Steel Temperature Expansion Calculator
Steel Temperature Expansion Calculator
Calculate the thermal expansion or contraction of steel elements due to temperature changes, essential for engineering design and construction applications.
Material & Dimensions
Temperature Change
Thermal Expansion Results
Temperature Change:
0 °C
Linear Expansion:
0 mm
Thermal Stress (if constrained):
0 MPa
Final Dimensions:
-
Percentage Change:
0%
Expansion Direction:
-
Thermal Expansion Visualization
Thermal Expansion Reference
Thermal Expansion Formulas
Linear expansion: ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT
Area expansion: ΔA = 2α × A₀ × ΔT
Volume expansion: ΔV = 3α × V₀ × ΔT
Thermal stress: σ = E × α × ΔT
Where:
α = Coefficient of linear thermal expansion
ΔT = Temperature change
E = Young's modulus (≈ 200 GPa for steel)
Thermal Expansion Coefficients for Steel
| Steel Type | Coefficient (α) in 10⁻⁶/°C | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 11.7 | General construction, bridges, buildings |
| Mild Steel | 13.0 | Common structural steel, general fabrication |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 10.8 | Food equipment, kitchen fixtures, chemical tanks |
| Stainless Steel 316 | 16.0 | Marine applications, chemical processing |
| Structural Steel | 14.0 | Building frames, columns, beams |
| Tool Steel | 12.0 | Cutting tools, dies, industrial machinery |
| Low Expansion Steel | 10.0 | Precision instruments, measuring tools |
Engineering Considerations
- Expansion Joints: In long steel structures, expansion joints should be provided approximately every 30m (100ft) to accommodate thermal movement.
- Clearance Requirements: For steel elements that will experience temperature changes, provide approximately 1.5mm of clearance per meter of length for every 100°C temperature change.
- Thermal Bridging: When different materials connect, their different expansion rates can cause stresses at connection points.
- Pre-heating: For precision fits, components may need to be heated or cooled before installation to achieve the correct dimensions after reaching operating temperature.