Bearing Capacities of the Structure and Joint of JUNO Central Detector

Abstract

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) central detector will be placed underground to detect neutrinos. In order to achieve the feasible scheme for JUNO, the structural scheme of an acrylic ball supported by a double-layer stainless steel latticed shell is designed and modeled using ABAQUS software. The bearing capacity of the structure under working condition is investigated and influences of external factors are analyzed. For the purpose of studying the load-bearing behavior of the joint of acrylic and stainless steel in this scheme, tests of three joint specimens are conducted and the results are compared with finite element (FE) predictions. It is concluded that the structure is safe and reliable under the effects of external factors. The bearing capacity of the joint is at least 2 times as large as the design load and the stress on the acrylic is limited within 10MPa.