rail problem · Physics Brawl 2024 #2

Physics · thermodynamics

Problem

For a more comfortable train ride, the continuous welded rail technology, which consists of welding the rails and creating a uniform surface for the train to pass, is used. However, such a track must withstand thermal expansion in summer and winter. What temperature difference can a steel rail withstand if its linear thermal expansion coefficient is 1.63⋅10−5K−11.63 \cdot 10^{-5}\text{K}^{-1} and the permitted stress of the rail is 600MPa? Assume that the tensile Young's modulus for steel is 195GPa.

Related theory

Browse the problem library