FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H.

Al-Marj

Chapter Two
Pressure Measurement

2-1&2 Fluid Pressure in Statics State

'Pascal's law'

"The fluid pressure intensity at a point is of equal magnitude in any direction"

Consider differential element of static fluid shown below

For equilibrium

∑FX=0

F3=F4

∑FY=0

F1+W1=F2

P1 A+ ρ. g . A. h =P2. A

P2 - P1= ρ. g .h
P2-P1= γ h

2-3 Absolute And Relative (Gauge) Pressure

The figure below shows that the pressure is expressed in two ways:

One is relative to atmospheric pressure and the other to the absolute zero.

Absolute zero is defined as the pressure that would only occur in perfect
vacuum. The pressure measured relative to the absolute zero is called absolute
pressure.

The atmospheric pressure varies in value according to location: it is

measured at sea level to be about 101.325kN/m2abs.: the abbreviation "abs"
indicates that the pressure is absolute. The value of the atmospheric pressure, in
British units, would be 14.695psia( pound per square inch absolute) where the
letter "a" refers to absolute pressure.

13
 FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H. Al-Marj

The pressure measured relative to the atmospheric pressure is known as

the relative pressure or gauge pressure . the letter "g" is normally used to refer
to gauge pressure. The pressure gauge typically reads relative pressure : that is,
the zero mark on the instrument is equivalent to the atmospheric pressure value.
However, some gauge are calibrated to read absolute pressure values directly.

The pressure below atmospheric is called Vacuum. The value of vacuum

will be negative, if measured relative to atmospheric pressure, and positive if
measured relative to the absolute zero.

In figure below the value of absolute pressure at A is 60 kN/m2 abs. while

its equivalent value, as relative pressure, is equal to -41.4kN/m2. At B we can
also see the two values of pressure indicating that :

14
 FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H. Al-Marj

2-4 Measurement Of Pressure

*Meassurement Devices of Pressure:

A- Tube gauge

 Piezometer (column)

 Manometer

B- Bourdon gauge

A- Tube gauge:

1- Piezometer(column): is a simple device which using for measuring moderate

pressure of liquids. It consist of a tube in which the liquid can freely rise
without overflowing .

PA= P atm. + γh

Since Patm.= 0

PA= γ .h

2- Manometer

a- U – Tube Manometer (simple manometer)

press. at C = press. at D

PA+ γ1h1= Patm.+ γ2h2

PA= γ2h2 - γ1h1

15
 FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H. Al-Marj

b- Inclined Manometer:

sin ϴ= h2/L

h2= L sin ϴ

PC = PD

γ1 . h1 = γ2 . h2 + Patm.

B- Bourdon Gauge

NOTE

The static pressure is equal at number of points which lie at a horizontal

line in a fluid.

16
 FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H. Al-Marj

Example2-1 : The water in a tank is pressurized by air and the pressureis

measured by a multi-fluid manometer as shown in figure below. Determine the
gauge pressure of air in the tank if h1= 0.2m , h2= 0.3m, & h3= 0.46m, take
densities of water, oil, & mercury to be : 1000 kg/m3 , 850 kg/m3,& 13600kg/m3
respectively.

P1 = P air + ρ water . g. h1

P2 = P1 , P3 =P2 =P1

P4 =P3+ ρ oil. g . h2

P4 = P5

P5= P atm. + ρ mercury .g . h3

= 0 +13600*9.81*0.46

= 61.37kN/m2.

P4=P3+ ρ oil. g . h2

61.37= P3+ 850* 9.81*0.3

P3= 58.86kN/m2

P3=P2=P1

Pair = P1- ρ water . g. h1

=58.86- 1000*9.81*0.2

=56.9=57kN/m2

17
 FLUID MECHANICS A.L. OHOOD K.H. Al-Marj

Example 2-2 As shown in figure below. Calculate the difference head (h)
in the manometer.

Solution:

PC=PD

Pair1 +0.8 γ w (4.5)+ 1.6 γ w h=

0.2 *105 + γ w (2+h)………….(1)

PE=PF

Pair1 + 13.6 γ w (0.2) = 0.2*105

Pair1= 0.2*105 -13.6* γ w (0.2)= -6683.2 Pa…………….(2)

From eq.1

h = 1.866m

18