This facility can apply vertical forces up to 280,000 pounds (140 tons) to articles being tested. specimens as tall as 45 feet and with horizontal dimensions up to 26 by 40 feet can be tested. This facility has proven especially effective in testing completely assembled slings (such as aerospace fixtures and oil field drilling rigs). Tests conducted result in a thorough functional evaluation of the specimen as well as proof of strength.
The tiedown fixture located at the base of the tower consists of three large tracks imbedded in a heavy cement slab. Cross beams, anchored in these tracks, can be positioned at any point within the span of the tracks and can be canted as desired using the hinge brackets as shown. Clevises, in any number desired, are used to locate the anchor points and to provide the capability, in combination with the hinging of the beam itself, of adjusting the pulloff to any angle desired.
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A hoist is equipped with an electric motor for rapid takeup of slack or handling of specimens and equipment. Loading is accomplished hydraulically with instrumentation provided to control the applied loads within plus or minus 1% throughout the operating range.
