Frame Loads - Temperature

Form: Frame Temperature Loading

The temperature load creates thermal strain in the frame object. This strain is given by the product of the material coefficient of thermal expansion and the temperature change of the object, which is the temperature being specified here

Select one or more frames to be assigned a temperature load.
Click the Assign menu > Frame Loads > Temperature command to access the Frame Temperature Loading form.

Load Case Name drop-down list. Select the load case to which the load is being assigned. Alternatively, click the + (plus symbol) beside the drop-down list to access the Define Loads form; use the form to define a load case that will then be available in the drop-down list.
Type options. Choose the type of temperature loading:

Temperature option. The temperature option applies the load as a constant through the thickness of the object and produces membrane strains.
Gradient option. The gradient option applies the load as linear in the thickness direction and produces bending strains.

Temperature. Choose if the temperature is to be applied by element or by joint pattern:

By Element. If by element, specify a value in the Temperature edit box.
By Joint Pattern. If by Joint Pattern, choose a pattern from the Pattern drop-down list and specify a value in the Multiplier edit box.

Option. Specify how the load is to be applied.

Add to Existing Loads: Adds the specified temperature load to the selected object. If one or more temperature load assignments have already been made, this option increases the existing load, assuming a positive load is being specified.
Replace Existing Loads: Replaces the currently specified temperature load, if any, with the new load. If no assignment exists, the new assignment is still made. This is the default option.
Delete Existing Loads: Deletes any and all temperature load assignments made to the selected object(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Type and Temperature areas of the form are ignored when the OK button is clicked.

The screen will refresh with a graphical representation of the load assigned on the members selected.