Answer:
[tex]x=4.2\ mm[/tex]
Explanation:
Given:
Change in length due to temperature can be given as:
[tex]\Delta l=l.\alpha.(T_u-T_l)[/tex]
[tex]\Delta l=12\times 10^{-5}\times (50-(-30))[/tex]
[tex]\Delta l=0.0096\ m=9.6\ mm[/tex]
Now at temperature 15°C:
[tex]\Delta l'=12\times 10^{-5}\times (15-(-30))[/tex]
[tex]\Delta l'=0.0054\ m=5.4\ mm[/tex]
Hence the expansion crack between the slabs at this temperature must be:
[tex]x=\Delta l-\Delta l'[/tex]
[tex]x=9.6-5.4[/tex]
[tex]x=4.2\ mm[/tex]