Simulation of the Distortion of Long Steel Profiles During Cooling

Abstract

Abstract A complex thermomechanical model for simulating the transient fields of the temperature, microstructure, stress, strain, and displacement during quenching of steel profiles is introduced. The thermoplastic material model is formulated on the basis of J2-plasticity theory with a temperature- and phase fraction-dependent yield limit. Coupling effects such as dissipation, phase transformation enthalpy, and transformation-induced plasticity are considered. The validity of the model is verified by comparing the simulation results with available experimental measurements. The introduced model serves as a basis for optimizing the cooling conditions for reducing residual stresses and distortions. The simulation results for T and L profiles of two different types of steel are described.