Beam Section Temperature

Modeling a Section with Non-uniform Temperature Distribution: Use

the Beam Section Temperature function
Made in Ver.630

Using Beam Section Temperature, we can enter temperature loads for a section with
non-uniform temperature distribution. Temperature differences between the top and
bottom of a section can be specified along the height (depth). Temperature Gradient in
MIDAS/Civil can be used when the temperature differences between the top and bottom
of a section change linearly across the entire section. Composite steel bridges and PSC
box bridges on the other hand generally do not exhibit linear temperature distribution
across the section. Thus, temperature variations should be entered differently along the
height (depth). When a composite section is modeled as a beam element, temperature
loads must be entered reflecting different material properties (modulus of elasticity and
coefficient of thermal expansion).

In the case of a section with non-uniform temperature distribution or a composite section,

we can construct a model close to actual temperature distribution within the section by
using Beam Section Temperature for entering temperature loads.

H H H

°C °C °C

a) Real temperature distribution b) Idealized temperature distribution

Figure 1 Temperature distribution within a section

This example describes how to use Beam Section Temperature to enter non-uniform
temperature loads in a composite section.

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 Beam Section Temperature

Example
Using Beam Section Temperature, apply temperature loads to the composite steel plate
girder shown in the figure 2. Its temperature variation is also shown below.

[Unit: m]

3.0
T = 15°C
0.25 0.98
0.08
0.03

1.94 0.012

0.03
T = 5°C
0.5

Figure 2. Section and temperature distribution of the example model

Bridge Type
2 span continuous bridge (2@20m = 40m)

Material & Section Properties

Material
Concrete: E=2.51 x104 N/mm2
α=9.00x10-6 /°C
Steel : E=2.00 x105 N/mm2
α=1.17x10-5 /°C

Element: Beam element (Composite Section)

Area : A = 1.47 x 105 mm2
Moment of inertia about strong axis: I = 8.63 x 1010 mm4

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 Beam Section Temperature

Enter Beam Section Temperature Loads

Enter Beam Section Temperature following the procedure below (See figures 3 and 4).

1. Load>Temperature Loads>Beam Section Temperature

2. Direction Specify the direction of temperature

variation in the local coordinate system.
Temperature loads can be entered in both directions
for the identical Load Case.

3. Ref. Position Specify the reference position based on

which the temperature loads will be defined. In this
example, select +End(Top).

4. Section Temperatures> Initial The specified initial

temperature is displayed. To specify the initial

temperature, click Model>Structure Type or click .

The initial temperature will be used as the reference
temperature for all temperature loads. For example,
with the given initial temperature of 10°C and the
Section Temperature of 15°C, the temperature load
will become 5°C.

5. Material Specify the modulus of elasticity and the

coefficient of thermal expansion.
Element: Use the values defined in the Material Data
dialog box.
Input: Specify user-defined values. In the case of a
composite section, specify the respective moduli of Figure 3. Enter Beam Section
Temperature
elasticity and thermal expansion coefficients as
many times as necessary.
B: Width of temperature load application – use exact width to accurately calculate the
area subject to the thermal stress (σ=EαΔT), which is converted into a force (F= σ
A).
H1, H2: Distance defining the temperature gradient from the Ref. Position
T1, T2: Section Temperatures at H1 & H2
Click to add temperature loads in the list. You can add up to 5 in the list.
To modify the listed items, click .

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 Beam Section Temperature

Enter the following data in the Section Temperatures entry field for the example model.
Material>Input
Elast (2.51e4) ; Therm (9.0e-6)
B (3000) ; H1 (0) ; H2 (250) ; T1 (15) : T2 (15)

Elast (2. 51e4) ; Therm (9.0e-6)

B (740) ; H1 (250) ; H2 (330) ; T1 (15) : T2 (5)

Elast (2.00e5) ; Therm (1.17e-5)

B (500) ; H1 (330) ; H2 (360) ; T1 (5) : T2 (5)

Elast (2.00e5) ; Therm (1.17e-5)

B (12) ; H1 (360) ; H2 (2300) ; T1 (5) : T2 (5)

Elast (2.00e5) ; Therm (1.17e-5)

B (500) ; H1 (2300) ; H2 (2330) ; T1 (5) : T2 (5)

6. When the data entry is completed, select the elements to which temperature loads are
assigned in the Model View and click .

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 Beam Section Temperature

Figure 4 represents the rest of the Beam Section Temperature data entry dialog boxes
where the temperature distribution, material and section dimensions of each section have
been considered.

a) Concrete slab b) Top flange of the girder

c) Web of the girder d) Bottom flange of the girder

Figure 4. Beam Section Temperature data entry

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 Beam Section Temperature

Figure 5 represents the entry status of Beam Section Temperature. With Left View,
you can check the width and height of the entered temperature loads.

Left View

Figure 5. Beam Section Temperature entry status

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 Beam Section Temperature

Analysis Results

Analysis results (deflection and moment) for Beam Section Temperature are as follows:

Figure 6. Deformed shape due to the temperature loads

Figure 7. Moment diagram due to the temperature loads