Hygromechanical behaviour of CFRP under cyclic humidity loadings

Stable lightweight structures are key issues in the design and construction of the LHC high precision particle detectors. This paper presents the results of long term measurements performed on plates manufactured in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), material selected for these structures, subjected to cyclic humidity loadings. Test procedures are detailed; results on moisture absorption are described together with the related displacement measurements. These results indicate that cycling composites in the operating conditions of the LHC trackers does not provoke any major internal damage.