Abstract: A series of thermomechanical workings such as temperature-controlled torsional strains are applied to a specimen of steel at strain and temperature levels and interpass times selected to simulate rolling mill conditions. The measured stress values are compared with the temperatures of the steel during the working periods during which the respective values were obtained. Thermomechanical working schedules are repeated at selected varying starting and terminating temperatures thereby to obtain a series of possible rolling schedules. These simulations are selected so that a varying number of reduction passes in the sequence occur at steel temperatures below temperature A.sub.r3. The value of a selected parameter of the worked steel, e.g. yield strength, is measured at ambient temperature.