Original Article

Model of transient temperature and solidification in a continuous-cast slab using multiple transverse sections

Continuous Casting Center, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden CO 80401, USA

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Received: 30 August 2025
Accepted: 7 January 2026

Abstract

A computational model is presented for the transient temperature distribution and solidification during the continuous slab-casting process, encompassing both the mold and secondary cooling zones. The model solves the two-dimensional transient heat transfer equation, incorporating solidification via the Stefan equation to track the solidification front position as an internal boundary condition. An explicit finite difference method is employed to discretize and solve the equations. To enhance accuracy in the fixed cross-section approximation, interpolation techniques using historical temperature data are implemented. The software provides a detailed spatial representation of the evolving temperature distribution in transverse cross-sections, which move with the strand at the casting speed. An example is presented for a transient scenario involving a casting speed drop. The model results visualize and enable the evaluation of how changes in casting speed and secondary cooling parameters, including the spatial arrangement of water nozzles, nozzle types, and spray water flow rates, lead to changes in strand temperature evolution and shell growth dynamics. This example showcases the computational model and software tool for researchers and engineers to investigate heat transfer and solidification in steel continuous casting.