The　possibilities　of　testing　real　constructions　strength　are　often　limited,　especially　in　case　of　large　constructions.　Testing　on　the　model,　instead　of　the　actual　construction,　results　in　a　great　saving　of　money　and　time.　Sub　-scaled　model　of　the　construction　of　the　substructure,　the　slewing　platform　and　the　lower　part　of　the　pylons　of　the　bucket　wheel　excavator　SchRs630　is　made.　Numerical　calculations　(using　Finite　Element　Method)　and　experimental　testing　of　the　model　were　performed.　Experimental　testing　is　performed　using　classical　strain　gauge　method　and　Digital　Image　Correlation　Method　(Aramis　system).　Once　again,　advantages　of　Digital　Image　Correlation　method　compared　to　classical　measurement　methods　are　confirmed.　The　negative　impact　of　conventional　manufacturing　methods　in　some　zones　is　noticed.　(C)　2018　The　Authors.　Published　by　Elsevier　B.V.