Patent ID: 8170853

Claim:
A modeling method for a time gradient of a state of a steel volume performed by a computer when modeling the steel volume based upon a plurality of volume elements, comprising: modeling the steel volume based upon individually modeling a number of volume elements in the steel volume; and wherein the modeling further includes providing variables for the state of the steel volume at a specific time for each of the volume elements, wherein the variables are characteristic for an enthalpy present at a specific time in the respective volume element and for proportions in which the steel in the respective volume element at the specific time is present in the phases austenite, ferrite and cementite; wherein the providing variables comprises: providing a first characteristic variable being a locally invariable average concentration of interstitial elements within the respective volume element in the austenite phase of the respective volume element; providing a second characteristic variable being the proportion of the phase austenite in the respective volume element; and providing a third characteristic variable being the enthalpy of the respective volume element, wherein the proportions of the phases ferrite and cementite in the respective volume element are variables derived from the characteristic variables; and wherein the modeling further includes: determining, by the computer, for at least one of the volume elements a time gradient of the characteristic variables by solving a thermal conductivity equation and a phase transition equation; and determining, by the computer, process management variables for influencing the state of the actual steel volume based on the modeling method and transferring them to a corresponding influencing device for thermal influencing of the actual steel volume.