Thermally compliant C-clip

A method of constructing a shroud assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising:

• providing a shroud hanger having an arcuate, axially-extending hook;
• providing at least one arcuate shroud segment adapted to surround a row of rotating turbine blades, said shroud segment having an arcuate, axially extending mounting flange having a first cold curvature at an ambient temperature, and a first hot curvature at an operating temperature substantially greater than said ambient temperature such that said shroud segment is expanded circumferentially at said first hot curvature, said mounting flange disposed in mating relationship at a medial location to said hook at least at the ambient temperature;
• providing an arcuate C-clip having inner and outer arms overlapping said hook and said mounting flange, said C-clip having a second cold curvature at said ambient temperature and a second hot curvature at said operating temperature, said mounting flange and the inner arm of said C-clip defining a radial gap at the ambient temperature,
• selecting said first and second cold curvatures such that said first and second hot curvatures define a preselected dimensional relationship between said shroud segment and said C-clip.