Analytical study of the behaviour of the cold mass supports of the ATLAS Barrel Toroid

The coils of the ATLAS Barrel Toroid will be supported by Ti tie rods consisting of a flexible plate with articulations at both ends. They must withstand the magnetic forces (up to 160 t per support) and accommodate the coil contraction during cooldown and its elongation during energization. The displacement during the cooldown should be accommodated by articulation rotations and by support bending, while only deformations should occur during the energization. An analytical model has been done to study the support behaviour during the cooldown and the energization. The main characteristics of the model and some results are reported. (2 refs).