Engineering Department

ENGR 356 Lab Manual

Prepared by

Dr. Kifah Jawadi

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 Contents
1Hydrostatic Pressure and Manometry.......................................................................................

1.1 Experiment Safety Procedure...............................................................................................

1.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................................

1.3 Theory...................................................................................................................................

1.4 Experimental Set-up.............................................................................................................

1.5. Procedure and Measurements...............................................................................................

1.6. Appendix...............................................................................................................................

1.6.1 Safety Requirements.......................................................................................................

1.6.2 Datasheet.........................................................................................................................

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 1. Hydrostatic Pressure and Manometry

1.1 Experiment Safety Procedure

General Safety requirements in Appendix 6 MUST be read prior to running this experiment
otherwise serious harm or injury could result.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to study the following:

1. The use of manometric tubes to measure the differential pressure.

2. To establish the manometric head through a manometer with different angles of slope.
3. To demonstrate that the level of a free surface is not affected by the size or the shape of
the tube.

1.3 Theory

The module to study static fluids and manometry provides the user an introduction to the
behavior of liquids under hydrostatic conditions (fluids at rest) and to the application of
those principles in the pressure measurement by using different manometric tubes. Figure 1
below shows a schematic of applications where manometers are used to measure the
pressure. Vertical, U shaped and inclined manometers are commonly used.

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 Figure 1: Applications where different types of manometers can be used.

1.4 Experimental Set-up

The experimental setup consists of the following major components:

A vertical tank made of PMMA (methacrylate) that contains water and connected to
different vertical manometric tubes. The apparatus is shown in Figure 2. It includes two
parallel manometric tubes, one U shaped tube, one variable transverse section tube that
allows to demonstrate that the level of a free surface is not affected by the size or the shape
of the tube and a manometric tube with a rotation system from the base that allows to incline
its angle up to 90º. These tubes can be used either individually or combined for the diverse
demonstrations

A manual pump can be connected to both the water tank and each manometric tube,
allowing to vary positive or negatively the static pressure of the air as required for several
demonstrations. The manometers are equipped with valves such that each type of
manometers can be isolated from the other types when studied if needed.

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 Figure 2: The experimental set-up.

1.5 Procedure and Measurements

Experimental Procedure:
Part A: Pressurized tank:
1. Fill the water tank up to a specific level.
2. Open all valves of the manifold such that all manometers are connected to the tank.
Besides, open the upper valves of all tubes.
3. Observe and record the water level in all tubes. It should coincide with the level in the
water tank.
4. Use the manual pump to add pressure to the tank. Observe and record the level of water
in the tank and in all manometers; in specific the manometer with the enlargement in
cross sectional area.
5. Repeat the experiment for two more pressures.

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Part B: U tube manometer:
1. The U shape tube will be used to carry out this practical exercise. Let water enter this
tube and close its manifold valve so that water cannot leak.
2. Connect the manual pump to one of the upper valves of the U tube. Make sure that the
other valve is closed.
3. Introduce pressure with the pump so that the water head in the tubes varies, creating a
pressure difference in the tube.
4. Repeat the procedure for two more pressures.
5. Close the valve to which the pump is connected and disconnect the pump. Record the
pressure difference measured.

Part C: Inclinable manometer:

1. Before starting, make sure that only the valve of the manifold that corresponds to the
inclined tube is open.
2. Besides, open the upper valve of the inclined tube to let the air leak through that end.
3. Place the inclined tube in vertical position, where the measurement of the angle indicates
a slope of 0º. Record the water level in the tube.
4. Change the slope of the tube as instructed. Record the value of the water level.
5. Repeat the operation for three more angles. The last data point will be used for
validation.

Data and Calculations:

Part A: Pressurized tank:

1. Compare the level of water in the tank and in all manometers for the atmospheric
pressure.
2. Compare the level of water in the manometers for the higher pressures, in specific the
one with enlargement.

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Part B: U tube manometer:

1. Compare the level of water in both sides of the manometer for the atmospheric pressure.
2. Compare the level of water in both sides for the higher pressures.

Part C: Inclinable manometer:

1. Compare the level of water (vertically) in the manometer as the angle increases.
2. Find the level of water along the manometer, using cos(angle). Find a relation between
the level of water along the manometer and the angle of inclination.
3. Use the last data point to validate the relation you found in point 2 above.

The following questions/points need to be answered/explained in the lab report:

1. Does the enlargement in the manometer cross sectional area affect its measurement?

2. Does the vertical level of water in the inclinable manometer change by angle of
inclination?

3. What is the relationship between the manometer angle of inclination and the level of water
along the manometer?

4. What are possible sources of errors in the experiment?

5. What could you do to improve the experiment and minimize errors?

1.6.1 Safety Requirements

Students must run the experiment only as instructed within this manual otherwise serious harm
or injury could result. Please read and observe the following precautions:

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  Observe the safety regulations as stated in this manual and posted close to the
laboratory door.
 Always follow the safety guidelines listed in the Laboratory Guidelines Form.
 Safety glasses must be worn all the time while in the lab.
 Watch the apparatus all the time such that there is no water leak in the area or near the
power connections.
 Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while in the lab.

Experiment 1

Hydrostatic Pressure and Manometry

Group: _________
Date: ___________

Students Names (in-person): ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

Students Names (on-line): ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

Results
Part A:
Water level in tank and manometers (Unit: )
Trial Tank U-tube U-tube Parallel Parallel Enlarged Inclinable

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 4L 4R 3L 3R 2 1
P= atm
P1
P2

Part B:
Water level in U-tube manometer (Unit: )
U-tube U-tube
Trial 4L 4R
P= atm
P1
P2

Part C:
Water level in inclinable
Trial Angle (o) manometer (Unit: )
P= atm 0

P= atm
P= atm

P= atm
(also calculate this angle)

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