How much will a steel member heated to 1000 F elongate?

The elongation of a steel member when heated can be calculated using the formula for thermal expansion, which is based on the material's coefficient of thermal expansion. For steel, this coefficient is typically around 6 to 7 x 10^-6 per degree Fahrenheit.

When steel is heated to 1000 F, the temperature increase from a standard reference point, such as room temperature (approximately 70 F), is about 930 F. Multiplying this temperature change by the coefficient of thermal expansion and the original length of the steel member will give the amount of elongation.

Assuming a standard member length, the calculation using the coefficient would yield approximately 1.7 inches of elongation, which corresponds to the correct answer provided. This underscores the significant effect that a large temperature increase can have on the physical dimensions of construction materials, particularly metals like steel, which expand considerably at high temperatures. Understanding this principle is crucial for fire inspection practices, as it informs safety assessments for structural integrity during high heat conditions.