Abstract: Water model experiment of a one-strand slab tundish in continuous casting was carried out to study the effect of different control devices on the flow characteristics in the tundish. The results showed that the location and the size of weir and dam and the shape of the turbulence inhibitor (TI) have a great effect on the flow characteristics. Using of the turbulence inhibitors without top extending lip can improve the flow better than that with top extending lip in the tundish. Compared with the former tundish configuration, the flow characteristics are improved to a great extent in this optimal one. Minimum residence time, peak concentration time and average residence time are increased from 64 s, 81 s and 237 s to 81 s, 163 s and 314 s, respectively. The fraction of dead zone volume decreases from 35% to 14%, being reduced by 60%.