Structural Analysis of 2G HTS Tapes under Different Loading Conditions for HTS Power Cable using Finite Element Modeling

Abstract In High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) power cable, HTS tapes are wound helically around a circular former and are subjected to different types of mechanical loads during manufacturing, transportation and installation of cable. The strain developed within the HTS tape during these processes may affect the superconducting properties of the tape. In the present work, 3D structural finite element (FE) models using ANSYS® are developed to obtain the strain behaviour of the tape under different loading conditions, considering the layered sandwich composite structure of 2G HTS tapes. The analysis is carried out with axial tensile and twisting loads on the tape, during helical winding of tape around the former and a combined effect of helical winding with external tensile and bending loads. The result obtained from FE simulation due to applied tensile load is compared with the established experimental result, which shows a good agreement. Further, the strain developed within the tape affects the critical current. Therefore, the strain is coupled with an empirical relation to obtain the critical current degradation of the tape. The FE analysis is carried out for five different winding pitches and four different bending radii with YBCO layer in the downward position and the corresponding critical currents are estimated. Further, a minimum winding pitch is obtained, below which the rapid degradation of critical current is initiated. The results show that the HTS tape with YBCO in downward position can withstand more amount of external load without affecting the critical axial strain of the tape.