EVALUATION OF THE DEFLECTIONS IN THE RADIATOR VESSEL OF THE ALICE RICH ARRAY USING NUMERICAL-METHODS

The RICH array in ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) at CERN-LHC is being designed following the basic criterion to optimize the detect or performances in terms of Cherenkov angle resolution and the minimis ation of the total material traversed by the incoming particles. Due t o the physics requirements, low deformation of the liquid freon contai ner is mandatory, therefore a careful engineering design to predict th e deflection of the radiator structure when filled with freon is neede d. The aim of this study is the design of the liquid freon container u nder different static load conditions since the RICH array is placed i n a barrel frame structure of about 4 m radius and 8 m length. Because of its high stiffness and low weight, a honeycomb sandwich with NOMEX (R) core and carbon fiber skins is used for the vessel structure. Diff erent solutions are analyzed using numerical techniques, based on Navi er double series expansion and finite element method. They show good a greement and highlight the possibility of obtaining negligible stresse s and strains.