Abstract :
Recent electromagnetic analyses of Nb3Sn cables have suggested that cyclic longitudinal bending strain due to transverse magnetic loads could explain the observed low ‘n’ values and drop in critical current compared to the strand. The paper uses finite element modelling to simulate the strand strain states in the cable, including friction and plasticity effects (which cause permanent strand bending). These results are used to calculate the expected behaviour of the overall cable and of strands extracted from the cable after experiencing operational loads. Comparisons with experimental results are made.
