A fire testing device for testing fire-resistance properties of a test subject includes a cavity, a heat source adapted to heat the cavity, and a removable separation plate configured to subdivide the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The heat source is arranged in the first changer and adapted to preheat the first chamber. The second chamber includes an opening adapted to receive the test subject. A fire-resistance test of the test subject may include activating the removable separation plate to subdivide the cavity into the first chamber and the second chamber, arranging the test subject at an opening of the second chamber, preheating the first chamber to a defined temperature using the heat source, deactivating the removable separation plate to provide an undivided cavity, and sustaining a heat supply to the cavity using the heat source.

A fire testing device for testing fire-resistance properties of a test subject includes a cavity, a heat source adapted to heat the cavity, and a removable separation plate configured to subdivide the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The heat source is arranged in the first changer and adapted to preheat the first chamber. The second chamber includes an opening adapted to receive the test subject. A fire-resistance test of the test subject may include activating the removable separation plate to subdivide the cavity into the first chamber and the second chamber, arranging the test subject at an opening of the second chamber, preheating the first chamber to a defined temperature using the heat source, deactivating the removable separation plate to provide an undivided cavity, and sustaining a heat supply to the cavity using the heat source.

A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

Disclosed is a testing apparatus and a testing method using the same, the apparatus having soil in a vacuum chamber includes: a buffer chamber having an entrance/exit opening through which an object to be inspected is inserted, and a first door for opening and closing the entrance/exit opening; a testing chamber divided at one side of the buffer chamber so as to be separated therefrom, and having a connection passage communicating with the buffer chamber; a shutter unit for opening and closing the connection passage; a soil storage part disposed inside the testing chamber, and accommodating soil for testing the object to be inspected; and a vacuum generation means for suctioning air inside the buffer chamber and the testing chamber so as to create a vacuum state.

Disclosed is a testing apparatus and a testing method using the same, the apparatus having soil in a vacuum chamber includes: a buffer chamber having an entrance/exit opening through which an object to be inspected is inserted, and a first door for opening and closing the entrance/exit opening; a testing chamber divided at one side of the buffer chamber so as to be separated therefrom, and having a connection passage communicating with the buffer chamber; a shutter unit for opening and closing the connection passage; a soil storage part disposed inside the testing chamber, and accommodating soil for testing the object to be inspected; and a vacuum generation means for suctioning air inside the buffer chamber and the testing chamber so as to create a vacuum state.

Disclosed is a testing apparatus and a testing method using the same, the apparatus having soil in a vacuum chamber includes: a buffer chamber having an entrance/exit opening through which an object to be inspected is inserted, and a first door for opening and closing the entrance/exit opening; a testing chamber divided at one side of the buffer chamber so as to be separated therefrom, and having a connection passage communicating with the buffer chamber; a shutter unit for opening and closing the connection passage; a soil storage part disposed inside the testing chamber, and accommodating soil for testing the object to be inspected; and a vacuum generation means for suctioning air inside the buffer chamber and the testing chamber so as to create a vacuum state.

Disclosed is a testing apparatus and a testing method using the same, the apparatus having soil in a vacuum chamber includes: a buffer chamber having an entrance/exit opening through which an object to be inspected is inserted, and a first door for opening and closing the entrance/exit opening; a testing chamber divided at one side of the buffer chamber so as to be separated therefrom, and having a connection passage communicating with the buffer chamber; a shutter unit for opening and closing the connection passage; a soil storage part disposed inside the testing chamber, and accommodating soil for testing the object to be inspected; and a vacuum generation means for suctioning air inside the buffer chamber and the testing chamber so as to create a vacuum state.

A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

A system and method for stress testing a sample, the system comprising a high-intensity laser unit and a target for laser-matter interaction, wherein the high-intensity laser unit delivers an intensity of at least 10.sup.13 W/cm.sup.2 on the target, and resulting laser-accelerated particles generated by the target irradiate the sample.

A vacuum system and method for inspecting a workpiece that can include use of the vacuum system, where the vacuum system can include a housing defining at least a portion of a vacuum chamber, a piston within the housing that oscillates to vary a volume of the vacuum chamber, a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, and a hood in fluid communication with the second valve and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum system can include high-speed valves that enable vacuum system cycling and thus vacuum pressure cycling at a rapid frequency.