Structural load specification for ITER tokamak components

The substantial mechanical loads which can develop in multiple components are a major technical challenge associated with the design of the ITER tokamak. The various loads acting on ITER can be grouped into several types: inertial loads, associated with gravity and seismic events; pressure loads, particularly significant for the ITER pressure equipment; electromagnetic loads, which affect all conducting structures as a consequence of transient events inducing rapid magnetic field changes and which possibly involve currents flowing between the plasma and in-vessel components; thermal loads, which are extremely severe in the plasma facing components; assembly loads, typically due to preloads imposed during assembly.