Large Test Frame
Parent Body: Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), South Arm Site, Rosyth Royal Dockyard, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, KY11 2XR

Principal Functions
Testing of large and small scale marine/offshore structures.

Subsidiary Functions
Testing of most civil/engineering structures.

General Details
This facility is a large reaction frame allowing direct loads to be applied to a variety of marine structures and structural models. Point loads can be applied using hydraulic actuators. Pressure loads can be applied using rubber pressure bags. Additional testing equipment available consists of: a large grillage testing reaction frame; a small grillage testing reaction frame; and a vertical ship section slamming force rig. All of the frames can be used to test statically and to load ultimately, if required, a wide variety of model types, sizes and materials.

Specification
The internal dimensions of the large test frame are 21 m × 10 m × 11.9 m. The structure has an SWL of 500 tonnes in the centre of each cell in the six sides of the strong box, and 5,000 tonnes in the centre of the door and facing wall. Servo hydraulic actuators with computer control and a total capacity up to approximately 3,000 kN are available. Any form of electrical instrumentation can be monitored using a computer controlled data acquisition system. This system can be expanded to meet virtually any requirements for channel numbers.

Special Features
Operations Staff are available to operate the loading and data recording systems. They can also advise and if necessary design model fittings to allow testing. Full photographic support is available from the DRA Rosyth Photography Section.

Future Plans
All operations in the facility are to be accredited to the ISO9001 Quality Management Standard by June 1996.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the private and public sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility. The advance notice required when asking for time on the facility is negotiable. In allocating time on the facility vacant slots in the current work programme are available for repayment work.

Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to negotiation. There is the possibility of negotiating an exchange agreement. The minimum hire period for the facility is one day the maximum period is negotiable.

Site Access
The site has ready access for vehicles and local accommodation is available for the hirer’s staff.

Contact Information
Lynn Somerville
DERA South Arm
Rosyth Royal Dockyard
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 2XR
Scotland
Telephone:  01383 435239   Fax:  01383 435237
E-mail:  wlsomerville@dera.gov.uk