Mechanical design assessments of structural components and auxiliaries of the Joint European Torus

The general design of the Joint European Torus (JET) is briefly described. The loads on its major structural components, at normal operation, and in cases of plasma instability and/or disruption, are discussed. The way these components have been assessed and optimised in relation to their loads is presented. A short account of mechanical design problems of auxiliary equipment is given. Finally, the state of operation of JET and its implications for the mechanical design is summarized.

The mechanically most important components of the JET device are the support structure of the toroidal magnet, the vacuum vessel, the coils of the magnets and the pedestals supporting the weight of the torus. These components all participate in resisting and transmitting the primary forces during operation.