The material non-linearities can be temperature and strain dependent, allowing the consideration of complex interactions. Uses of Thermal Analysis Thermal analysis is a useful tool for the determination of temperature boundary conditions, or for determining the temperatures and heat loss properties of components. The temperature distribution could be calculated either as a steady state or a transient depending upon the conditions. Use the resulting distribution as the temperature distribution in a stress analysis, which can combine thermal expansion and the effects on material properties. The analysis can take account of fire barriers and protective materials such as intumescent coatings and fireboards.
Analysis can determine the effect of different heat sinks and help to determine the best design.
Examples would be additional mass of material, and static or moving water or oil. Design optimisation is the name given to techniques primarily designed to optimise components. Optimisation is not the only use for this technique, since it can be used to tune or de-tune systems, provide a basis for design development and to look at the influence of various parameters on a design. In the computer application of the method it is not necessary to give full control of the process to the program, the engineer can control the process at all steps. Optimisation can be used to find the best means of preventing heat gain or heat loss, or conversely finding the best means of achieving heat gain or heat loss.