STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS AND DESIGN AGAINST FAILURE OF FUSION POWER-PLANT COMPONENTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PULSED OPERATION

This study presents the theory of structural analysis and design code rules and constraints as applied to predict lifetime and prevent failu re of components and is tailored to deal with the specific design requ irements of fusion components. Example calculations are performed for a proposed ITER-like first wall using finite element analysis codes an d an assessment of the structural behaviour is also included. The resu lts of the calculations are used to arrive at a proposed design method ology, which accounts for the structural mechanisms likely to occur wh en operating a tokamak in pulsed mode, as proposed for ITER.