{"id":33726,"date":"2026-04-27T13:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/technical-manuals\/structural-modelling\/temperature-loads\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:37:45","slug":"temperature-loads","status":"publish","type":"wiki","link":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wiki\/temperature-loads\/","title":{"rendered":"Temperature Loads"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n


<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
           Define Thermal Load<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n

User-defined temperature differences can be assigned to individual, or multiple columns, walls and beams in the model.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

An \u201c<\/span><\/span>Axial<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d temperature load causes the entire member to change in temperature by the specified amount. The value entered should be difference of temperature. 
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A \u201c<\/span><\/span>Gradient<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d temperature load is a change in temperature across the width\/depth of the member.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

NOTE: <\/span><\/b>The currently specified load combination must include a Thermal load case in order to apply a temperature load.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To use this function, the user must ensure that the "<\/span>Temperature Loading<\/span><\/i>" option is checked in the "<\/span>Automatic Loading Generator"<\/span><\/i>. This ensures the program to include the thermal loads within the load combination. If this option is not checked, then a warning will pop up to prompt the user to assign temperature loads to the load combinations.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

\n

To define temperature loads for column\/wall\/beam members:<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
    \n
  1. \n
    Select
    \n the members you want to assign the load to. <\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n
    Select
    \n the \u201cThermal Loads (Batch)<\/i> \u201d option located in "Loading" <\/i>pull
    \n down menu. <\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n
    The
    \n \u201c Thermal Load (Batch) "<\/i>  dialog will be loaded.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n
    Select
    \n a Thermal load case from the \u201cLoad Case\u201d list.<\/div>\n
    \"A<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n
    Define
    \n the required axial or gradient temperature difference and choose the
    \n member types to which it is to be applied. <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n

    \"Notes\"<\/p>\n
    For T (axial), a positive value denotes a rise above ambient
    \ntemperature; a negative value denotes a fall.<\/div>\n
    For Gradient, 2-2 denotes the major axis while 3-3 denotes
    \nthe minor axis<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

    \n

    \n

                \"A<\/div>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n
      The
      \n temperature difference will be assigned only to selected members if you
      \n press \u201c Apply to Selected Members<\/i> \u201d button.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
    2. \n
      All
      \n members in the current storey will be assigned the same temperature
      \n difference, if \u201c Apply to All Members in the Current Storey<\/i> \u201d
      \n option is selected.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
    3. \n
      \u201c Apply
      \n to All Members in the Model<\/i> \u201d enables all members in the system
      \n to possess the same temperature difference.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
    4. \n
      Close
      \n the form by pressing the \u201c OK<\/i> \u201d button. The entered
      \n values will be assigned as temperature loads. To check whether there is a
      \n temperature load defined on a member, hover on the element with the mouse.
      \n The  \u201cMember Tooltip Window<\/i> \u201d will include the
      \n thermal load information as well.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

      To modify or delete the temperature loads on Column(s) Wall(s) or Beam(s);<\/span><\/span><\/span>
      <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
        Select the related column\/wall\/beam and load the \u201c <\/span><\/span>Temperature Load<\/span><\/span><\/i> \u201d form again as described above.
        <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
      2. \n
        Select the load case from the \u201cLoad Case\u201d list. By entering a different value into the related fields (T(axial), T 2-2(Gradient) or T 3-3(Gradient)), you will have modified the load. Entering a zero, will delete the load. In order for the changes to be valid,   <\/span><\/span>just press \u201c<\/span><\/span>OK<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d button without switching to a different load case<\/span><\/span><\/u> .<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \n

        <\/p>\n
        \"Notes\"<\/div>\n
        Perform the delete\/modify operation just for a single load case at a time.<\/span><\/div>\n

        <\/span><\/div>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/p>\n
        \n
        <\/p>\n
        \"Info\"<\/div>\n
        When performing the Building Analysis, please ensure that the <\/span>"No Rigid Diaphragm Floor Levels"<\/span><\/i> option is checked. This is done under the <\/span>"Slab Model"<\/span><\/i> tab in the <\/span>"Model Options"<\/span><\/i> of the <\/span>"Building Analysis"<\/span><\/i> dialog.<\/span><\/div>\n

        <\/span><\/div>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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