Local finite element stress analysis of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor central solenoid

The solenoid is wound with a number of layers of the cable in conduit super conductor and impregnated with an epoxy resin. It should withstand the stat ic and cyclic electromagnetic loads from the system of the toroidal field c oils as well as its own cyclic electromagnetic loading. Several local finite element models have been built to study the impact of each component of the load on the local stress distribution in the solenoid elements, especially in the insulation. The study performed makes it possi ble to specify local solenoid stress state on the basis of the results comi ng from the global 3D analysis where the solenoid is treated as an orthotro pic body with effective thermo-mechanical properties. The most attention was paid to the insulation shear stress and insulation t hrough thickness tension that can cause the insulation delamination and vio late the solenoid integrity as well as the solenoid electrical strength.