Thermal Expansion Calculator
Calculate linear expansion ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT for metals and piping.
Last reviewed by the myCalculator Editorial Team
Input Parameters
Calculation Results
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Formula & How Thermal Expansion Calculator Works
A material changes length with temperature by ΔL = L₀ × α × ΔT, where α is the coefficient of linear expansion. Steel has α of about 12 × 10⁻⁶ per °C. A 20 m steel beam that warms by 40°C from a cold night to a hot day grows by 20 × 0.000012 × 40 = 0.0096 m, or 9.6 mm. Long structures such as bridges, rail lines, pipelines and fences need expansion joints or gaps to take up this movement and avoid buckling. Aluminium expands about twice as much as steel and concrete about the same, which is why they work together in reinforced concrete. Use the coefficient for your actual material.
- Enter Initial Length (m): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Temperature Change ΔT (°C): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Material Coefficient (α): Input your target parameter value.
- Apply Formula: Calculate using
ΔL = L₀ × α × ΔT. - Review Results: View exact computed answers, metrics, and worked mathematical proofs.
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MyCalculator.com.au. (2026). Thermal Expansion Calculator. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/thermal-expansion
MyCalculator.com.au. (2026) 'Thermal Expansion Calculator'. Available at: https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/thermal-expansion (Accessed: 24 October 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do bridges have expansion joints?
To prevent thermal buckling when seasonal temperatures rise.
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Authoritative Standards & Verified Reference Citations
Calculations and mathematical logic on this page are grounded in published statutory rules, regulatory standards, and official government data published by the following bodies:
Australian Standards including AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), AS 3600 (Concrete Structures), and AS 4100 (Steel Structures).
Accreditation and technical guidelines for civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Dedicated Australian home loans, borrowing capacity, mortgage repayments & refinance modeling.