Transient mechanical properties of continuously cast steel Determination of mechanical properties of cast conditions of steel at elevated temepratures to provide input data for calculations of slab mechanics. Analysis of thermal cycling during cooling of slabs. Korrelation of stress-strain data to strain rate, temperature, heating and cooling rates and deformation conditions. Thermodynamic analysis of the solidified castings determining the precipitation kinetics of relevant carbides and nitrides. Development of experimental simulations of the loads acting on steel slabs/bars during continuous casting by deformation-dilatometry and Gleeble machine. Analysis of the damage mechanisms in the course of slab manipulation.