Main features of ITER vacuum vessel and approach to code application

Nakahira, Masataka; Takeda, Nobukazu; Hada, Kazuhiko; Tada, Eisuke; Miya, Kenzo*; Asada, Yasuhide*

The special features of Vacuum Vessel (VV) of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) are complicated structure and electromagnetic load. The VV is torus shaped, double-walled structure with ribs. The electromagnetic force is not uniform. Thus the rules for axisymmetric structures and loading are not effective for ITER VV. The double ミwalled structure requires one-sided welding joints with no possibility of access from the other side. Every joints between outer wall and rib and field joints are this type. The joint between outer wall and rib is special T-joint with partial penetration. To cover these special issues on ITER VV, a new code is under development. Supporting R&Ds are planned to be material tests to obtain joint efficiency and fatigue reduction factor, UT sensitivity tests, sensitivity tests on crevice corrosion and examination-free welding for application to field joints. This paper describes the special features of ITER VV from code stand point, concept of new code and R&Ds to apply the new code to ITER VV.