Re: The thermal expansion coefficient of steel and concrete

[DaveIrons@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/15/99 8:55:55 AM Eastern Standard Time, protek@shreve.net
writes:

> I know that its coeficient of
>  thermal expansion is different from metals and if joined to metals at
>  places like window seats the two must be engineered to slide against each
>  other as the temperature changes.  It is a far more brittle material than
>  steel in general. 

The reason steel reinforced concrete work so well is, because the thermal
expansion
coefficient of steel and concrete are the same.  You may have seen steel edges
put on
concrete steps or the edge of a loading ramp.  The steel remains embedded in
the concrete because they have similar properties.

Yes, concrete is more brittle than steel, just as a diamond is more brittle
than steel.  That
is how a steel blade can cut the much harder diamond.

David Irons