Electromagnetic forces in high field magnet coils

There has been considerable study in recent years of the mechanical effects of the electromagnetic forces in large high field magnet coils. The problem of supporting the electromagnetic forces acting on the windings has become a limiting factor in the design of such magnets. Caldwell has already obtained a mathematical model representing the stress distribution in magnet windings but a number of simplifying assumptions were made in deriving the equations. This paper checks the accuracy of this method by comparing it with homogeneous thick cylinder theory which involves the calculation of stresses by solving the Timoshenko stress equations. Thus values of the circumferential stress are compared for two different coil configurations and reasonable agreement is obtained.