Defining a Temperature Boundary Condition

You can define a temperature boundary condition for structural, thermal, and nonlinear analyses.

To define a boundary condition:

  1. In a structural or thermal analysis study, do one of the following:
    • In the Simulation study tree, right-click Thermal LoadsST_Thermal_Loads.gif and select Temperature tool_loads_temp.gif.
    • Click Simulation > Loads/Fixture > Temperature
    • Click Thermal Loads > Temperature tool_loads_temp.gif (Simulation toolbar).
    The Temperature PropertyManager appears.
  2. Under Type, select Temperature.
  3. In graphics area, select the desired faces, edges, vertices, and components to which you want to apply a prescribed temperature.
    To select all faces exposed to outside at once, click Select all exposed faces. To delete a face, right-click the face and select Delete.
  4. Under Temperature tool_loads_temp.gif, do the following:
    1. Set Units to the units you want to use to enter the temperature value.
    2. Set Temperature to the desired temperature value. The model is subjected to a temperature change DT = Input temperature - Reference temperature at zero strain.
  5. For nonlinear or transient thermal studies, you can define a time-dependent temperature boundary condition.
    Under Variation with Time, click Use Time Curve time_curve.png Button to define or import a time curve. The temperature at any time is calculated by multiplying the specified temperature value by the Y value of the time curve.
  6. If desired, under Symbol Settings, click Edit color and pick a color for the temperature symbols and use the spin arrows to control the size of the symbols.
  7. Click PM_OK.gif.