Problem 5.14 - Axial Deformation

Problem Statement

A series of solid circular steel bars are loaded as shown, where F₁ = 60 N, F₂ = 20 N, and F₃ = 40 N. If lengths L₁ = L₂ = 30 cm and L₃ = 40 cm, determine the total change in length of the system. Assume E_steel = 210 GPa.

Picture with three cylinders connected and three loads applied. The cylinder on the left is attached to the wall, has a diameter of 8 mm, and has F[1] applied at the intersection of the second cylinder. The middle cylinder has a diameter of 6 mm and F[2] applied at the intersection with the third cylinder. The third cylinder has a diameter of 10 mm with F[3] applied at the end. — Figure 1: A series of solid circular steel bars are loaded with three loads.

[Problem adapted from © Kurt Gramoll CC BY NC-SA 4.0]