  The purpose of this thesis is to focus attention on the mechanical aspects in
designing an infrared telescope, IRAIT (International Robotic Antarctic
Infrared Telescope), with aperture size of 80 cm, f#=21, entirely robotic and
remote controlled, which must operate at Dome C, on Antarctic Plateau, starting
on Summer 2007. Before illustrating in detail the choice criteria of different
mechanical components, in order to satisfy stress requirements and structural
verification, and the final design solutions we have adopted,firstly a few
tissues must be considered. They mainly concern the preference for Dome C as
probably the best observing site in the world, the scientific targets,
instruments and tools necessary to reach such goals.
  The mechanical structure of telescope has been analyzed, and results
retrieved by the static and dynamic analysis through a finite element software
are illustrated. They concern the behavior of single parts, subassemblies and
overall structure to active loads applied. It is shown that, as a matter of
fact, thermal stress can be reckoned as the most influent of all static loads.
  A dynamic analysis of some critical subassemblies was used,in order to
determine the frequency response of the system aiming at its best insulation
from vibrations.
