  The energetics of Schottky defects in 123 cuprate superconductor series, $\rm
REBa_2Cu_3O_7$ (where RE = lanthandies) and $\rm YAE_2Cu_3O_7$ (AE =
alkali-earths), were found to have unusual relations if one considers only the
volumetric strain. Our calculations reveal the effect of non-uniform changes of
interatomic distances within the RE-123 structures, introduced by doping
homovalent elements, on the Schottky defect formation energy. The energy of
formation of Frenkel Pair defects, which is an elementary disordering event, in
123 compounds can be substantially altered under both stress and chemical
doping. Scaling the oxygen-oxygen short-range repulsive parameter using the
calculated formation energy of Frenkel pair defects, the transition temperature
between orthorhombic and tetragonal phases is computed by quasi-chemical
approximations (QCA). The theoretical results illustrate the same trend as the
experimental measurements in that the larger the ionic radius of RE, the lower
the orthorhombic/tetragonal phase transition temperature. This study provides
strong evidence of the strain effects on order-disorder transition due to
oxygens in the CuO chain sites.
