# 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.