Advanced Structural Assessment of a Bucked-and-Wedged Configuration for the EU DEMO Tokamak Under a 16.5 T Magnetic Field

Andrea Chiappa () and Corrado Groth
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Andrea Chiappa: Department of Enterprise Engineering “Mario Lucertini”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale del Politecnico, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Corrado Groth: Department of Enterprise Engineering “Mario Lucertini”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale del Politecnico, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: The pursuit of compact and efficient fusion energy systems necessitates innovative structural concepts capable of withstanding extreme operational conditions. This study presents a preliminary structural evaluation and stress assessment of a bucked-and-wedged configuration for the EU DEMO tokamak, targeting a peak magnetic field of 16.5 T. The proposed concept leverages mutual wedging of the Toroidal Field (TF) coils and their interaction with the Central Solenoid (CS) to optimize stress distribution in the inner legs, a critical region in high-field fusion reactors. To address the significant tangential forces arising during plasma operation, the design integrates outer inter-coil structures and shear pins to enhance mechanical stability. A hybrid simulation approach—coupling 3D electromagnetic and structural finite element analyses—is employed to assess stress behavior and structural integrity under both in-plane and out-of-plane loading conditions. The results contribute to the optimization study of high-field fusion reactor components and offer insights into viable mechanical design strategies for next-generation nuclear energy systems.

Keywords: fusion energy; tokamak; structural analyses; stress assessment; hybrid approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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