Find ΔL = α L ΔT and the new length of a bar under a temperature change.
| ΔL (m) | – |
| New length (m) | – |
Use this calculator for unconstrained linear expansion: ΔL = α L ΔT, then the new length is L + ΔL.
α for steel is about 1.2×10⁻⁵ /K. A 1 m bar warmed 50 K grows about 0.6 mm. ΔT in kelvin equals the same interval in °C. This is the small-strain linear model, not the stress in a constrained bar.
Length (m): Original length, in metres.
α (1/K): Linear expansivity. Steel ≈ 1.2×10⁻⁵.
ΔT (K): Temperature change, in kelvin (same size as °C).
ΔL (m): Change of length.
New length (m): L + ΔL.
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