Finite element analysis of steel rolling processes

The numerical simulation of rolling processes requires the coupling of seve ral models that describe different physical phenomena such as the deformati on of the work-piece together with its thermo-metallurgical evolution and t he thermal evolution of the rolls together with its mechanical deformation. In this paper we develop the coupling between the purely mechanical model of the work-piece and the thermo-mechanical model of the rolls. We test the numerical formulation in the analysis of the hot rolling of steel coils an d in the analysis of the hot mandrel rolling of seamless steel tubes. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.