ABSTRACT Capability of the finite element model (FEM) developed by Zhang et al. (1987) was enhanced to predict cyclic thermally induced loads in bulk solids storages. The FEM enhancement comprised a rate-dependent elastic-viscoplastic (EVP) constitutive equation for wheat en masse and inclusion of cyclically varying ambient temperature profiles. The predicted static and cyclically varying, thermally induced, lateral over- and under-pressures were compared with the measured data from a model bin filled with wheat (Li et al., 1990a). The test bin 0.9 m (diameter) x 1.2 m (high) was subjected to three ramp-type (constant slope) ambient temperature cycles with time period of 2 h and amplitude of 10° C. The FEM's thermal pressure coefiicient (Cp) values were larger than the measured values by 31.5% for the temperature decreasing mode in the first cycle, and 2.4% to 13.8% for the rest of the temperature decreasing and increasing modes in all cycles. The FEM's maximum, thermally induced, lateral over-pressures (minimum temperature value) were 32%, 55%, and 78% larger than the measured values in the first, second, and third cycles, respectively; whereas, the minimum thermal lateral under-pressures (maximum temperature value) were 38%, 45%, and 52% larger in the first, second, and third cycles, respectively. At the 0.05 level of significance, the x^ test showed that there was no statistical difference between the FEM and measured thermal lateral over- and under-pressures for the first two cycles.