Structural integrity analysis for manufacturing design of the ITER vacuum vessel gravity support

Abstract Due to the complicated operation condition and environment, the ITER Vacuum Vessel Gravity Support (VVGS) shall sustain the design loads including gravity of vacuum vessel and in-vessel components, thermal load, electro-magnetic loads from vertical displacement event and plasma disruption, and seismic load. Meanwhile, its dual hinges will allow radial movement of the VV caused by thermal expansion from room temperature to the operation (100 °C) and baking (200 °C) temperatures. This paper introduces structural integrity analysis of the manufacturing design of the ITER VVGS. Firstly, an overview of design description is followed by the new mechanical loading conditions which are specified and categorized with appropriate structural design criteria and analysis methodology. Secondly, protection against plastic collapse (P-type) and failure from cyclic loading (S-type) has been verified by elastic analysis or elastic-perfectly plastic analysis. Finally, the global structural integrity of VVGS against P-type and S-type damage has been justified with regards to RCC-MR according to the new loading conditions with a quantitative conclusion.