3-D finite element modelling of ribbed strip rolling

A main feature of the rolling of ribbed strip is local residual deformation , which affects the pulling down of rib height when the ribbed strip is rol led. Using a 3-D "slightly-compressible" rigid visco-plastic finite element method, the hot rolling of ribbed strip is analyzed in this paper. The res ults show that the distribution of rib height along the width of strip is n ot uniform, and the pulling down of rib height increases when the reduction and thickness of base strip increase. The variation of rib height is small er with a higher rolling temperature. If the friction factor in the backwar d zone increases, the rib height and forward slip increase. Friction variat ion is found to affect the convergence of simulation. Results of simulation from the rolling of ribbed strip and experimental values have been found t o be in good agreement. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.