CoCaSCOPE-Mesh Generator: A Tool to Generate 3D Numerical Models of Rutherford Cables

The next generation of high-field magnets for accelerators relies on Nb
₃
Sn conductors, mostly Rutherford-type cables. Superconducting cables are anisotropic composites structures that can comprise strands, impregnation and insulation wrapping materials. Moreover, Rutherford cables are characterized by a multi-scale architecture going from the micron-size sub-elements to meter-size coils. Due to the mechanical sensitivity of the Nb
₃
Sn material, the sub-element behavior drives the performance of the magnet. To predict and improve the performance and behavior of the magnets, numerical modeling is now crucial. The multi-physic and multi-axial loadings, the complex multi-scale structure and the intrinsic properties of the Nb
₃
Sn material require three-dimensional models to be able to understand and represent the different phenomena. A tool that is able to generate 3D Finite Element (FE) model of a Rutherford cable has been developed at CEA over the last years in the framework of the CoCaSCOPE approach. It allows generating a meshed FE model from the main cable parameters (size, number of strands, etc.) and usable with multi-physic simulation software. This paper presents the different steps to construct the geometry of the cable, and the main features of the mesh. Techniques to model different configurations are presented, considering the stainless-steel core and/or a keystoned shape. Today, the CoCaSCOPE mesh generator (CoCaSCOPE-MG) is open to the scientific community. The authors propose to generate any type of Rutherford cable on demand.