At a temperature of 60 F, a .04 in gap exists between the ends of the two bars. Bar 1 is an aluminum alloy [E=10,000ksi, v=.32, alpha=12.5x10^-6/F] bar with a width of 3 in and a thickness of .75 in. bar 2 is a stainless stell [E= 28,000 ski; v=.12; alpha= 9.6x10^-6/F] bar with a width of 2 in. and thickness of .75 in. The supports at A & C are rigid.
Determine: a) the lowest temperature at which the two bars contact each other.
b) the normal stress in the two bars at a temperature of 250 F
c) the normal strain in the two bars at 250 F
d) the change in width of the aluminum bar at a temperature of 250 F