[TowerTalk] Thermal Rate of Expansion

[KD7JYK DM09]

> So 2" x 1.7e-6 x 100d C temperature range = 0.00034"
> You will never notice at any place on earth.

Just some things that came to mind...

Here, we get from -25, to +124 at most, a 149 degree swing from summer, 
to winter.  Usually though, -10, to +120.

The expansion from the Sun striking an item causes the most problems, 
from small masts, to 100-200' towers, can get a good curve to them. 
Darker items of course, the worst, ABS sewer pipes can bend several 
inches in a ten foot span if left out, and when glued in a straight run, 
will heat up, expand, and look like a snake, even splitting poorly glued 
joints.  One tower in Fallon, perhaps 100' gets a curve that can be seen 
a good chunk of a mile away, offhand, I'd guess about a foot.  That one 
worries me when I see it, as it's between some houses, and businesses, 
and I always think it's about to topple.

Kurt