Modeling of current density distributions in critical state by commercial FE codes

The method of minimum magnetic energy variation has proved its merit in modeling the magnetic field interaction with hard type-II superconductors. Its main advantage is that the front of flux penetration is calculated starting from a physical principle equivalent to the Bean´s critical state model. We have developed a procedure that adapts the above-mentioned method to the environment of the commercial finite element code ANSYS. As a step forward with respect to existing works, this allows to include magnetic materials into simulations. The case of a superconducting strip covered by a ferromagnetic sheath is reported.