Temperature Load

This section defines uniform temperature loads for thermal expansion and contraction.

Navigation: Loading > Loads > Temperature Load

Overview

Temperature variations that occur throughout the day exert two types of loads on bridges: expansion and contraction.

Steps

Step 1: Navigate to Uniform Temperature Load

Navigate to Loads > Temperature Load > Uniform Temperature Load in the tree view.

Temperature Load navigation

Step 2: Select Construction Stages

Click the three-dot icon on the Stage cell and select TUExpStage and TUContrStage to define the temperature loads that have an impact on the bridge.

Stage selection

Stage assignment

Step 3: Assign Bridge

Click the three-dot icon on the Bridge cell and set Bridge as BRG1.

Bridge assignment

Step 4: Set Temperature Changes

Set Temperature Change from mean [F] parameters:

• UTL1: 40 F (expansion)

• UTL2: -40 F (contraction)

The purpose is to calculate the loads that may occur under these critical temperatures.

Temperature values

Verification

Temperature loads for expansion and contraction should be properly defined.