Abstract: Thermal deformation problem in the continuous casting of slab subjected to the thermal loading due to the temperature gradient along the solidified shell thickness is investigated. Based on the reciprocal theorem of work or Betti-Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem and the superposition principle, the deflection expressions for a rectangular plate with two opposite edges simply supported and the other two opposite edges clamped under the action of the uniformly distributed load and non-uniform temperature field are derived respectively, and the meaning of each term in the deflection expression obtained by the reciprocal theorem of work is explained. Then the practical example is given to calculate the thermal deformation and the bulging deformation of the solidified shell under three tension speeds. Above research is useful for analyzing the bulging de-formation in the continuous casting of slab under the static pressure of molten steel and the thermal loading due to the temperature gradient along the solidified shell thickness.

Key words: Continuous casting of slab, Thermal deflection Superposition method