G. V. Akimov GCTC has all necessary facilities to carry out full-scale researches for assessment of reliability of a wide nomenclature of hi-tech civil and dual-use products. Equipment and test conditions correspond to the following State Standards: GOST 6992, 24813, 28198, 9.014, 9.039, 9.040, 9.053, 9.066, 9.401, 9.407, 9.509, 9.707, 9.708, 9.710, 9.905, 9.906, 9.909, R 51804, etc.

Climatic field testing ground includes:

• the open atmospheric ground equipped with 34 test benches providing exposure up to 8000 specimens at the same time;

Open atmospheric ground of GCTC

• the atmospheric ground of 288 sq. m. under shed  equipped with benches for exposure up to 1000 specimens; equipment for studies of simultaneous attacks of climatic factors and loadings, an influence of sea water both on specimens and on structures is located there as well;

Atmospheric ground under shed

Units for corrosion tests of materials under loading

Alternating immersion units

• the load-bearing floor of 200 sq. m. equipped with benches for tests of large-size structures and with special equipment intended for tests of structural assemblies and components under simultaneous impact of climatic factors and static or dynamic loads.

General view of load-bearing floor

The load-bearing floor is equipped with a unique stand for tests of large-size structures from PCM developed by Walter+Bai AG (Switzerland) according to VIAM technical assignment. This bench allows to carry out tests under combined impact of the seaside atmosphere and static and cyclic loads up to 250 kN.

Tests of large-size composite structures on Walter+Bai AG bench

G. V. Akimov GCTC is the user of a seawater area adjacent direct to the territory of GCTC. It is intended for carrying out climatic tests of specimens, assemblies and components of structures in the natural marine environment of the Black Sea at depths up to five meters, and for studies of a combined influence of naturally acting factors on change of parameters, properties and characteristics of materials and articles during their operation.

Seawater area of G. V. Akimov GCTC

The tube-testing bench for material tests in running water allows simulation of real operating conditions of ship-purposed materials and materials used for manufacturing of different pipes.

The tube-testing bench for material tests in running water

METEOROLOGICAL FACILITIES FOR CLIMATIC TESTS

As for climatic region, G. V. Akimov GCTC belongs to temperate warm climate with mild winter (according to GOST 16350) and enhanced corrosivity of the atmosphere (number 9 in accordance with GOST 9.039). 

In 2002, G. V. Akimov GCTC has been equipped with complex automatic weather station, which provides continuous monitoring both standard meteorological characteristics and surface temperature of specimens and structural components. Microclimate control inside structures is carried out additionally. 

Research of corrosivity of the atmosphere on the base of metrological data and availability of corrosive impurities (deposition rate of chlorides) is conducted systematically according to GOST 9.039 and ISO 9223. 

The category of corrosivity of the atmosphere around G. V. Akimov GCTC can be determined as «С3» (medium) by ISO 9223. 

Results of long-term measurements are used for mathematical simulation of formation of phase film of moisture and temperature of specimens and structures. Methodological works on creation of uniform standards for collecting and processing meteorological data intended for national network of climatic testing centers are carried out.

Climatic field-testing ground is equipped with СКМP-2 weather station operating in continuous automatic mode. The main measured weather parameters are given in the table below.

The period of sensors value sampling is 4 s. The weather data averaged for 20 min. are registered in the database of the station and then are subjected to processing; their correctness is checked automatically. As a result, graphic and tabular information on average, maximum and minimum values of the above-mentioned weather parameters for any period of measurements (day, week, month, year etc.) with demonstration of the time needed to achieve extreme values can be printed. 

Climatic field-testing ground  of G. V. Akimov GCTC