SPREAD SHEET MODEL OF CONTINUOUS-CASTING

Spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel, Informix WINGZ, and Lot us 123, provide a framework for very fast and easy development of simp le engineering models. The present paper describes a model of the cont inuous casting process that has been developed using a spreadsheet pro gram, Microsoft Excel, running on a Macintosh II personal computer. Th e model consists of two-dimensional (2-D) steady-state finite Industri al Engineering, difference heat conduction calculations within a conti nuous casting mold coupled to a one-dimensional (1-D) transient solidi fication heat transfer model of the solidifying shell. The model struc ture and equations are described and the model predictions are compare d with previous solutions. Practical examples using the model are disc ussed and sample results are provided. Spreadsheet programs running on personal computers are capable of relatively complex calculations tha t would require extensive effort using conventional programming langua ges.