AbstractTransient thermal stresses are compared for strongback-design blankets that contain stainless steel, ferritic steel, or a vanadium alloy as structural material. Transient dynamic stresses due to plasma disruptions are computed on a parametric basis. Disruption loading characteristics, for which transient effects are important, are identified. Also explored are the relative merits of supporting the blanket at the top vs. the bottom from the standpoint of dynamic stresses.