# Variable temperature load on Surface Elements **URL:** \ **Category:** Product Support\ **Tags:** rfem-6, steel-bridge, surface-element, temperature-load\ **Created:** [July 22, 2026, 6:38am UTC](https://community.dlubal.com/t/variable-temperature-load-on-surface-elements/3930 "2026-07-22T06:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![\_lobo](https://community.dlubal.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/_/c67d28/32.png) [@\_lobo](https://community.dlubal.com/u/_lobo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 6:38am UTC](https://community.dlubal.com/t/variable-temperature-load-on-surface-elements/3930/1 "2026-07-22T06:38:46Z")
Hi, I am working on a steel bridge with an orthotropic box, modelled in shells (surfaces). Is there a way to apply temperature gradients as variable in the whole cross-section? I know it is possible to select every surface and apply there a variable temperature load, but I was wondering if there is a simpler way to apply the temperature load simply by selecting, i.e. the top and bottom surface and a linear distribution and the surfaces in between get a load linearly calculated based on the depth of the cross section. Thank you in advance ![image](https://community.dlubal.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8026539e9e724c75d998ec1d20736ff34690c165.png) ---
**Author:** ![stefan.hoffmann](https://community.dlubal.com/user_avatar/community.dlubal.com/stefan.hoffmann/32/108_2.png) [@stefan.hoffmann](https://community.dlubal.com/u/stefan.hoffmann)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 9:01am UTC](https://community.dlubal.com/t/variable-temperature-load-on-surface-elements/3930/3 "2026-07-22T09:01:09Z")
Hi \_lobo, If you can assign a proper surface set, you may try it with a surface set load: [https://www.dlubal.com/en/downloads-and-information/documents/online-manuals/rfem-6/000275](https://www.dlubal.com/en/downloads-and-information/documents/online-manuals/rfem-6/000275) Not sure, if this may cover your purpose. Best regards Stefan Hoffmann