A Structural Mechanics Model for the 2-D Mechanical Characteristics of ITER Cable-In-Conduit Conductor Cable Under Transverse Loads

The mechanical characteristics of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) cable significantly determine its performance degradation. The investigation of the mechanical behavior of CICC cable under operating conditions is a challenging and critical topic. This paper presents a structural mechanics model to analyze the 2-D mechanical characteristics of ITER CICC cable under transverse loads. Both the transverse electromagnetic load and the transverse mechanical load are considered. Our simulation results are consistent with the cable transverse compression displacement-force curve tested by the experiment. The contact mechanical characteristics of Nb₃Sn strands in CICC cable cross section are obtained. The present model provides a basis to evaluate the performance degradation of the cable and investigate transverse cyclic loading behavior, as well as the 3-D mechanical characteristics of the CICC structure.