# Temperature Loads \[FEA] Temperature loads apply thermal effects to finite elements. They model uniform temperature changes or temperature gradients across element cross-sections, which induce thermal strains and resulting internal forces in restrained structures. **Load Case:** The analysis case (load case) to which this temperature load belongs. Typically a load case with the TU (Uniform Temperature) load type. **Element:** The finite element or FE group to which the temperature load is applied. Can target individual line, surface, or volume elements, or all elements within an FE group. **Temperature:** The temperature change applied to the element (in temperature units, e.g., degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius depending on the unit system). A positive value represents heating (expansion) and a negative value represents cooling (contraction). The thermal strain is computed as (Temperature × Thermal Coefficient of the material). **Temp. Variation Dir.:** The direction of temperature variation across the element cross-section. Select None for a uniform temperature change throughout the element. Select a direction (e.g., Y or Z) to apply a linear temperature gradient across the section in that direction, which produces bending effects. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.openbrim.org/templates/openbrimfea/loads-fea/static-loads-fea/temperature-loads-fea.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.