Depending on the current FEM-Design module, uniform or non-uniform temperature variation can be added to the structural elements as loads.

FEM-Design Module	Temperature Variation	Load Command
	Non-uniform temperature in Beams	Line temperature variation
	Non-uniform temperature in Plates	Surface temperature variation
	Uniform temperature in Walls	Surface temperature variation
	Uniform/Non-uniform temperature in bar elements	Line temperature variation
	Uniform/Non-uniform temperature in planar elements	Surface temperature variation
	Uniform/Non-uniform temperature in bar elements	Line temperature variation

Table: Temperature load types by FEM-Design modules

Line Temperature variation

Property	Value
Default Short Command	LTL
Icon

• Non-Uniform Temperature Variation in Beams
  In  Plate module, non-uniform temperature variation can be defined along beam action line or a part of it. The absolute value of the temperature has to be the same in the top and bottom cords:

  |dt_top| = |dt_bottom|

  So the meaning of the temperature variation is the following:

  |dt| = ±|dt_top-dt_bottom| = ±2 x |dt_top|

  

  The temperature variation can be linearly variable along the action line, so it can be different in the start and end point of the action line.

• Uniform/Non-Uniform Temperature Variation in Bar Elements
  In  3D Structure and  3D Frame modules, uniform or non-uniform temperature variation can be defined along beam and column action lines or a part of them. The temperature values can be different in the top (t) and bottom (t’) cords.
  
  The temperature variation can be linearly variable along the action line, so it can be different in the start and end point of the action line.

Depending on the current FEM-Design module, temperature load can be easily added to bar elements. The load properties and definition tools are available on the tool palette of the  Line temperature variation load.

Figure: Tool palettes of Line temperature variation load

Definition steps

1. Select the load case from the load case drop-down list from   tabmenu, which you would like to add the new load(s) to.
   If you have not defined a load case yet, you can also define and set at the  Default settings by giving a load case name.
   The load will be displayed on the layer assigned to the selected load case and in the layer’s color.
2. Set the temperature values at the start and end point of the “load” action line to the current temperature unit (that can be set at Settings > Units) in the tool palette or at  Default settings. If you inactivate the arrow (   ) next to the temperature fields, you can type different temperature values in the “1” and “2” fields.
   
   Figure: Settings dialogs (the meaning of the “t” values)
3. Define the direction of the plane you would like to place the thermal load (only in 3D modules).
4. Add the thermal to its belonging bar element by selecting it with  .
   Or, choose a method for the action line definition (geometry) and define the thermal load. Use this method, if you would like to place the load on a part of the bar element.
   
   With the special tool called Object’s local system ( , only in 3D modules) you can set the load’s plane direction directly to a selected axis of the bar element’s local system in the tool palette and by the clicking on the bar element. So, with this tool, you can merge 3^rd and 4^th steps to one step, if the direction of the thermal load plane is equal to a required axis direction of the assigned bar element’s local system.
   
   
   Figure: Different ways of thermal load definition

Optional steps:

5. Modify the load properties (the host load case and temperature values with the  Properties tool of the Line temperature variation load tool palette.
6. Modify the direction of the thermal load plane with the editing tools (Editing Loads).
7. Set the display settings of the thermal load (Load Display Settings).

Surface Temperature variation

Property	Value
Default Short Command	LTS
Icon

• Non-Uniform Temperature Variation in Plates
  In  Plate module, non-uniform temperature variation can be defined in plate region or a part of it. The absolute value of the temperature has to be the same in the top and bottom cords:
  
  |dt_top| = |dt_bottom|
  
  So the meaning of the temperature variation is the following:
  
  |dt| = ±|dt_top-dt_bottom| = ±2 x |dt_top|
  
  The temperature variation can be linearly variable along the action plane. Temperature value in 3 region points defines the linearly variable temperature in a plate object.
• Uniform Temperature Variation in Walls
  In  Wall module and  Plane Strain modules, uniform temperature load can be defined in wall region or a part of it:
  
  t_si= t_top = t_bottom
  
  
  
  The temperature variation can be linearly variable along the action plane. Temperature value in 3 region points defines the linearly variable temperature in a wall object.

• Uniform/Non-Uniform Temperature Variation in Planar Elements
  In  3D Structure module, uniform or non-uniform temperature variation can be defined in plate, wall and shell regions or a part of them. The temperature values can be different in the top (t’) and bottom (t) cords.
  
  
  The temperature variation can be linearly variable along the action plane. Temperature value in 3 region points defines the linearly variable temperature in a plate, wall or shell object.

Depending on the current FEM-Design module, temperature load can be easily added to planar objects. The load properties and definition tools are available on the tool palette of the  Surface support motion load.

Figure: Tool palettes of Surface temperature variation load

Definition steps

1. Select the load case from the load case drop-down list from Loads tabmenu, which you would like to add the new load(s) to.
   If you have not defined a load case yet, you can also define and set at the  Default settings by giving a load case name.
   The load will be displayed on the layer assigned to the selected load case and in the layer’s color.
2. First, define temperature variation constant along the load action plane. Set the motion value in the “t1” fields according to the current temperature unit (that can be set at Settings > Units) in the tool palette or at  Default settings.

   The local z’ axis of the surface element (plate, wall) points to the “top” surface temperature (t’) in  3D Structure module.

   

   Figure: Settings dialogs (the meaning of the “t” values)

3. Add the thermal load to its belonging surface element by selecting it with  .
   Or, choose a method for the action surface definition (geometry) and define the surface thermal load. Use this method, if you would like to place the load on a part of the surface element. In this case set the working plane into the element’s plane.

Figure: Different ways of surface thermal load definition

Optional steps:

4. Use the  Variable intensity tool, if you would like to define variable surface thermal load. Set the new temperature values (dt1/t1/ts1, dt2/t2/ts2 and dt3/t3/ts3). If you inactivate the arrows (   ) next to the value fields, you can type different values by the t fields. Select the constant surface temperature load that you would like to modify being variable. Give the position of the three temperature values. You may click outside the surface load’s action plane too.
5. Place a hole/opening in a surface thermal load. Use the  Hole tool of the Surface temperature variation load.
6. Modify the load properties (the host load case and temperature values with the  Properties tool of the Surface support motion load tool palette.
7. Set the display settings of the thermal load (Load Display Settings).