If heated to a temperature of 1000°F, how far will a steel beam elongate per 10 feet?

When steel is heated, it undergoes thermal expansion, which causes it to elongate. The amount of elongation can be calculated using the linear expansion formula, which states that for a given temperature change, the change in length is directly proportional to the original length and the coefficient of linear expansion for the material.

Steel typically has a coefficient of linear expansion of about 0.00000651 per degree Fahrenheit. In this scenario, if a steel beam is heated to 1000°F, the temperature change from a standard reference point (room temperature, approximately 68°F) would be approximately 932°F (1000°F - 68°F).

Using the formula for linear expansion:

Change in length = Original length × Coefficient of linear expansion × Temperature change

For a 10-foot steel beam (which equals 120 inches) heated to 1000°F, the calculation is:

Change in length = 120 inches × 0.00000651 × 932°F

Running this calculation gives approximately 0.93 inches of elongation, which rounds closely to 1 inch.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects a practical consideration of thermal expansion affecting steel in high-temperature conditions, confirming that it elongates approximately 1 inch per