Optimization of Thermomechanical Loading by the Inverse Method

Abstract

This study presents 2D experimental results and the numerical simulations of thermal loads in order to observe their influences on the life of mechanical systems. The experimental and thermal evolution was measured using several thermocouples and an infrared pyrometer. In fact, the thermal loading was determined by the resolution of an inverse process where the parameters of thermal laws were identified by minimizing the difference between the experimental results and the numerical simulations. After this optimization process, the mechanical modeling by the finite element method was carried out by applying the optimized thermal loading. The laws of elastoviscoplastic behavior are applied in the working temperature range of a continuous casting rollers tool. This modeling constitutes a technological means to choose a type of a coating material and its optimum thickness and to test different thermal loads in order to optimize the industrial process and to improve the tool’s life.