Theory 211/Bridges/Rate lens
Joint Movement Follows Thermal Rate
The claim
Expansion joint movement is set by the rate of temperature change rather than by the temperature range, so a fast cold snap drives joints harder than a slow cold winter.
01Mechanism
Joints accommodate length change; the rate determines the velocity the mechanism must absorb.
02Prediction
Joint stress should track the rate.
03Refutation
Stress tracking range would remove the rate.