Finite element analysis of structural response of superconducting magnet for a fusion reactor

Superconducting magnets have been considered for use in producing the confining field for future fusion reactor design. The performance of these magnets will affect plasma containment time, particle leakage from the plasma as well as power density of the system. Thus, each superconducting fusion magnet is an extremely critical structural component of the fusion power plant. Both static and dynamic analyses of a typical field magnet have been performed by use of the finite element method. The magnetic was assumed to be linearly elastic with equivalent homogeneous material properties. Various finite element models have been considered in order to better represent the structure for a particular loading case. For earthquake analysis, the magnet was assumed to be subjected to 50% of the El Centro 1940 earthquake and the dynamic response was obtained by the displacement spectrum analysis procedure. In the paper, numerical results are presented and the structure behavior of the magnet under static and dynamic loading conditions is discussed. (Auth.)