Multi-pass hot-rolling simulation using a meshless method

- A rolling simulation is performed based on a meshless numerical method.
- A strong form formulation is used together with ideal plastic material law.
- Local radial basis function collocation method is for the first time used for solution of rolling.
- Direct iteration is used for solving highly non-linear material behavior.
- Deformation, stress, strain and temperature fields are calculated.

This paper describes the development of a computational model for the hot rolling of steel in a continuous rolling mill. The solution procedure consists of slices aligned in the rolling direction. The deformation and heat flow are assumed to be only in the direction perpendicular to the rolling and the assumed behavior of the material is ideal plastic. The strongly coupled thermal and mechanical models are solved by a novel meshless, local radial basis function collocation method, based on subdomains with 5 nodes for the thermal, and 7 nodes for the mechanical model. Multiquadrics radial basis functions with first-order monomials are used for the shape functions. The rearrangement of the collocation nodes in this large deformation problem is based on elliptical node generation. The non-linear relations are coped with a direct iteration, where the material properties are linearized during each of the iterations. Verification is based on comparison with an analytical solution and results from the finite-element method. A complete rolling simulation with 5 rolling stands is presented. The results encompass the roll speed, the separating force and the torque. The displacement and temperature fields of the rolling from the square to the round profile are displayed.