Analytic modeling of induced forces during vertical disruption events in a vacuum vessel with anisotropic resistivity

Disruptions remain a significant threat to the viability of economic fusion energy, due to the potential for damage to reactor structure and components. In this work, we use simple analytic models in cylindrical geometry to investigate whether disruption force loading might be reduced by careful manipulation of the directions in which the induced currents flow. We show that constraining current along helical pathways can reduce the magnitude of local force loading on a vacuum vessel as well as convert compressive into tensile stresses, by reducing the magnitude of and angle between the induced currents and magnetic field. Our results motivate future work with more realistic geometries and self-consistent plasma conditions, to determine whether the predicted benefits carry over to realistic operational scenarios.