Summary of FEA calculations of STAR support rings

Abstract

Several FEA analyses of the STAR EM support rings have been performed. The original design was a continuous ring with a ``C`` channel cross section. These rings were 2-3/4 inch thick with the center rings being only 1-3/4 inch thick. Based on the early analysis of these rings, it was determined that a continuous ring with a solid cross section should be used. A thermal and mechanical analysis of both cross sections was performed. Because of symmetry, only half of the rings were modeled. The gravity load of the EM was applied to the ring by a rigid bar that extended radially from the location of the Thompson rails on the ring to the center of gravity of the EM module. In this paper the authors will first describe the analysis of the rings with the ``C`` channel cross section. The mechanical and thermal analysis of the thick 2-3/4 inch ring will be described, followed by the mechanical and thermal analysis of the thinner 1-3/4 inch ring. In the second section, the analysis of the rings with the solid cross section will be described. Once again the thermal and mechanical analysis of the thicker 2-3/4 inch ring will be first more » followed by the description of the thinner 1-3/4 inch ring. « less