Thermal stress evaluation in the steel c

This study presents two numerical models aimed at analyzing thermal stress and plastic strain within the solid shell during the initial stages of the steel continuous casting process. The primary objective is to evaluate the performance of these models, with the first model being a numerical method derived from the semi-analytical study of Weiner and Boley. Validation is performed by comparing results against this established 1-D semi-analytical solution. The model's basic hypotheses, particularly the extended plane strain condition with uniform axial strain, undergo further testing in more complex scenarios, using results from an alternative numerical scheme provided by Fachinotti. In addition, the paper showcases results from a representative 3D simulation that corresponds to slab continuous casting scenarios. The results highlight the internal cracking issues frequently encountered in steel products during continuous casting, stressing the economic impacts and the importance of preventing such defects through enhanced modeling techniques. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the understanding and improvement of the continuous casting process, addressing thermal stresses and their implications for quality control in steel manufacturing.