The temperature difference between the top and bottom of a beam element or plate element can be defined. Temperature gradient analysis can only be conducted for beam or plate elements, which can consider flexural rigidity. For beam elements, the temperature difference and distance of the outermost portion is input with reference to the y axis and z axis of the element coordinate system to consider temperature gradient loading. For plate elements, the temperature difference between the top and bottom faces and the plate thickness is input to consider temperature gradient loading.

Select the beam (plate) element. The element can be selected directly, or the Beam/Shell that was used to create that element can be selected. Selecting a shape inputs the load for all element nodes in the shape. For a beam element, the temperature difference and distance in the z,y direction of the element coordinate system can be input. Checking the [Used Section] option uses the structural section information assigned to the element. For a plate element, the temperature difference in the thickness direction is input, and the plate element thickness is used. The distance can also be input directly.