Thermal Stress in a Composite Rod

A steel-and-brass composite rod can build stress when temperature changes while both ends are restrained. The rod is nonhomogeneous, so its two sections respond differently. To find the compressive load, the problem is treated as statically indeterminate, which means the force cannot be found from equilibrium alone.

Consider a non-homogenous rod made of steel and brass, restrained at both ends and subjected to a temperature change.

The stress and load on the rod are determined by disconnecting one supported end and allowing the rod to undergo a temperature change.

Applying an unknown force at the free end determines the deformations for both t...