Structural design of an RPC-based time-of-flight wall for ions (iTOF) for the R3B-FAIR experiment

In this work we describe the mechanical design of a time-of-flight detector based on strip RPCs dedicated to measure relativistic heavy ions. The proposed design includes innovative solutions which meet the specific requirements to work with ions. The proposal is based on the results of the previous R&D program to build prototypes to test designs, materials and construction solutions, complemented by tests with relativistic ion beams. The first module of the detector has been built to be studied and characterized under beam conditions.