UNIVERSITY OF

PERPETUAL HELP CE3107L / 53222

SYSTEM DALTA FLUID MECHANICS

College of Engineering

Experiment No. 1: Measurement of Pressure Head Using Manometer

Bedeser, Rowell Joseph |CE3107L/53222| rowelljoseph.bedeser@perpetual.edu.ph
Bendicio, Jayvee |CE3107L/53222| jayvee.bendicio@perpetual.edu.ph
Beñosa, Jc Joy |CE3107L/53222| jcjoy.beñosa@perpetual@edu.ph
Bernese, Britch Gem |CE3107L/53222| britchgem.bernese@perpetual.edu.ph
Capistrano, Aimie |CE3107L/53222| aimie.capistrano@perpetual@edu.ph
Dela Cruz, Trisha Mae |CE3107L/53222| trishamae.delacruz@perpetual.edu.ph
Ramil, Vladimir |CE3107L/53222| vladimir.ramil@perpetual@edu.ph
Reyes, Gregg Jerik |CE3107L/53222| greggjerik.reyes@perpetual@edu.ph
Santos, Adrian John Lewis |CE3107L/53222| adrianjohnlewis.santos@perpetual@edu.ph
Tecbobolan, Donna Angeli |CE3107L/53222| donnaangeli.tecbobolan@perpetual@edu.ph
BS Civil Engineering|Civil Engineering Department

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta - Las Piñas Campus, Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City,

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ABSTRACT

A pressure applied at any point in a liquid at rest is transmitted equally and undiminished to every other
point in the liquid. Pressure is the force per unit area, its application for fluid comes from all directions
since it has no definite shape. The students involved in conducting this experiment determined the
pressure of a liquid at various depths with the use of a manometer. They found out that the pressure can
attain hydrostatic equilibrium, where the pressure at any point in a fluid at rest is equal when the height
of the fluids for both tubes is alike. All the pressure in the right tube is equal to zero as it is an open tube,
meaning it has no pressure. In contrast to that, the pressure varies in the left tube since the trials have
plenty of indifferences, i.e., the elevation, height of the fluids, and the use of Styrofoam. Furthermore, the
error came from the fact that the other manometer with no Styrofoam was not able to follow the
condition to achieve zero pressure. It could have been avoided if the elevation had been identical for both
tubes nonetheless, this was a learning experience for the students. Additionally, they have assimilated
from this undertaking and would be able to apply the knowledge they gained in the future as engineers.
Pressure plays an important role in engineering, such as in designing and operating machines and
structures, people from this field use these measurements to ascertain that the very same mechanism
used in hydraulic systems, pipelines, dams, and is working within safe and methodical criteria and
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA
guidelines. This experiment was proven to be successful and gave the students the opportunity to be
competent and knowledgeable in reading the pressure of a different liquid in varying depths.
Keywords: manometer, pressure, unit weight, specific gravity, liquid, atmospheric pressure
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I. INTRODUCTION
A manometer is an instrument that is
used to measure pressure. The pressure can
be of anything, which implies it can be of
liquid, gas, steam, etc. (Swain,2016) In this
paper, calculations of the pressure would
drop, and mass flow rates are done using a
variety of systems made up of various flow
measurement tools, including the U-shaped
manometer (Daood, 2007).
This experiment is all about the change
in height in the elevation of (tap water, air)
and (oil and water) that can result in a
change in pressure. Ting (2022), mentioned
in his book Thermofluids, that the difference
in the height of the heavier fluid between
the two arms of a U-shaped tube indicates
the static pressure difference in the flow
conduit. It must be the fluid in the
manometer is heavier than the moving fluid
in the tube to measure its pressure.
Using the instrument manometer, it
gives a visible amount of pressure and the
differential pressure of (p1 - p2) =pgh, if two
unknown pressures are applied respectively
to the left and right tube. This instrument
relies on using any type of liquid which may
depend on the pressure and the
characteristics of fluid being measured.
Using water is a very cheap and convenient
option, but it can evaporate easily and is
difficult to see. Yet, it cannot be used to
measure the pressure of fluids that can
dissolve in water and with high-pressure
measurements such as mercury and carbon
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FLUID MECHANICS
tetrachloride. Basically, using a U-shaped
glass tube can be subject to errors because it
is very difficult to see exactly the level of the
curve of the liquid in the left and right tubes
(Morris, 2021).
The amount of pressure at the point
where a liquid meets air is one atmosphere
on both sides, and the pressure where a
liquid meets water and oil is equal to the
pressure in water at the same height of the
water-only column. The pressure difference
between the air and the previously specified
location in the liquid is equal to the density
of the liquid (either oil or water) multiplied
by g times the height of the liquid column.
Because oil has a lower density than water,
the height of the oil column will be greater.
That means the oil side will have a larger
total column than the waterside. If there is
enough oil on top of the water column, one
can only observe the effect (Western
Washington University, 2023).
II. OBJECTIVE
The activity aims to determine the
pressure of a liquid at various depths.
III. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS
• U-Tube manometer
• Motor Oil
• Beaker
• Water
• Styrofoam
• Dropper
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP CE3107L / 53222
FLUID MECHANICS
SYSTEM DALTA
IV. PROCEDURES SAMPLE COMPUTATION:
Pressure Left side/Specific Weight + Specific
The procedure for the measurement of pressure Gravity of water (Height of water in left tube) +
inside the U-manometer is as follows: Specific Gravity of oil (Height of Oil in left tube) –
• Pour the liquid with higher specific Specific Gravity of water (Height of water in left
gravity (water) into the U-manometer tube) - Specific Gravity of oil (Height of Oil in left
using a dropper. tube) = Pressure in right side/Specific Weight
• Pour the liquid with lower specific
gravity (oil) into the U-manometer using Trials H1 (LEFT TUBE) H2 (RIGHT TUBE)
a dropper. (FLUIDS) meters meters
• Measure the height of the fluids. TRIAL 1 WATER OIL WATER OIL
• Tabulate the results. 0.060m 0.045m 0.060m 0.045m
TRIAL 2 WATER OIL WATER OIL
• Repeat the steps for other trials on the
0.045m 0m 0.005m 0.095m
U-manometer (3 with Styrofoam
TRIAL 3 WATER OIL WATER OIL
wedged into its left opening and 2
0.085m 0.025m 0.025m 0.125m
without a Styrofoam).
TRIAL 4 WATER OIL WATER OIL
0.020m 0.135m 0.125m 0.012m
V. RESULT
TRIAL 5 WATER OIL WATER OIL
0.102m 0m 0.020m 0.093m
This section observes the experiment results.
The experiment had no unexpected trials which
PRESSURE
affected its results. In a U-tube manometer, the
(KILOPASCAL)
difference between the pressure and
Left Right
atmospheric pressure is unknown, in this
0 KPa 0 KPa
experiment, we were given five trials with three
0.465 KPa 0 KPa
of the five manometers having a Styrofoam
0.133 KPa 0 KPa
wedged into its left opening. The specific gravity
-0.080 KPa 0 KPa
of oil is given as 0.92 while the specific gravity of
0.035 KPa 0 KPa
water was given as 1. The specific Weight of
Liquid and Water was given as 9.81 KN/m3. As
VI. DISCUSSION
seen in the results, only the first trial has
achieved Hydrostatic equilibrium where the In this section, we will provide an in-
pressure at any point in a fluid at rest is equal. depth analysis of the results obtained from our
Most of the trials have the oil shifted more to the experiment. Each group was given a different U-
right instead of staying equal on both sides. The tube manometer in this experiment. Three out
results give information on the difference in of five U-tube manometers have a Styrofoam
pressure for both sides of the manometer. This enclosed on its left opening. We were tasked to
gave the students the idea that liquid can be undergo five trials to conduct this experiment,
measured at various depths using a manometer. different trials correspond with different groups.
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP CE3107L / 53222
FLUID MECHANICS
SYSTEM DALTA
TRIAL GROUP NO. Specific Weight of Water = 9.81Kn/M^3
Trial 1 Group 3
Trial 2 Group 5
Trial 3 Group 1
Trial 4 Group 2
Trial 5 Group 4

The two liquids used are oil and tap water.

Each group had the freedom to determine how
much oil and water to put into the U-tube
manometer using a dropper.
In trial 1, there was no Styrofoam
enclosed on the U-tube manometer. As a result,
there was no pressure acting on the liquids
present in both tubes of the U-tube manometer.
When the pressure is equal to zero, the fluid at
rest is equal, which results in achieving
hydrostatic equilibrium.

We use 0.920 as the specific gravity of the

gasoline based on our instructor’s specifications
and the water’s specific gravity remains at 1.000
to compute the pressure of the liquid at various
depths. To gather the necessary data, we
measured the height of tap water and oil present In trial 2, there was a Styrofoam clog on
in the U-tube manometer of each group in their the opening of the left manometer, resulting in a
designated area. Furthermore, to compute the computed pressure of 0.465kPa in the left tube.
pressure, we use the formula: On the other hand, the right tube of the
manometer was open, so we assumed that there
Pressure Left side/Specific Weight + Specific was no pressure.
Gravity of water (Height of water in left tube) +
Specific Gravity of oil (Height of Oil in left tube) –
Specific Gravity of water (Height of water in left
tube) - Specific Gravity of oil (Height of Oil in left
tube) = Pressure in right side/Specific Weight

Specific Gravity of Water = 1.000

Specific Gravity of Oil = 0.920
 UNIVERSITY OF
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In trial 3, there was no Styrofoam
present in the U-tube manometer. Therefore,
the pressure should have been equal to 0 on
both sides. However, upon computation, we
found out that the pressure in the left
manometer was 0.133kPa. Hence, we concluded
that the results of trial 3 have an error.
In trial 4, the manometer used is one of
those with Styrofoam placed on the left tube.
Hence, the pressure on the left is computed and
its value is -0.080 kPa. Since the right tube of the
manometer is open, the pressure is equal to
zero.
In trial 5, there was a Styrofoam
confined at the left side of the manometer,
resulting in pressure in the left manometer. The
computed pressure of the left manometer was
0.035 kPa, while the pressure at the right tube
remained zero because of its open ends.
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FLUID MECHANICS
VII. CONCLUSION
To conclude this experiment, all the trials
done by the students were successful, except for
trial 3. If your manometer tube has no seal on
the right or left tube, we advise that you proceed
with trial 1. This is because, in trial 1, we
obtained hydrostatic equilibrium and, as a result,
obtained zero pressure; but, in other tests with
no seal, after performing the calculations, we
obtained some pressure. The results of this
experiment should be handled with caution due
to the small sample size and lack of laboratory
equipment, thus we also wish to recommend it
to the next group that conducts this type of
investigation.
VIII. APPLICATIONS
• Understanding the concept and
measurement of pressure provides
different engineering applications that
are frequently used either on day-to-day
activities or apparatuses that are being
utilized to improve the quality of living of
the masses. According to Gaur (2023),
“Pressure plays an important role in
engineering such as in designing and
operating machines and structures”. He
adds that engineers use these
measurements to ascertain that the very
same mechanism used in hydraulic
systems, pipelines, dams, etc., are
working within safe and methodical
criteria and guidelines. By scaling down
the gathered preliminary data through
the experiment, we can use the
information to relate these ideas to
further discuss the applications of
pressure in other fields.
 UNIVERSITY OF
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• Through demonstrating pressure head
measurement and using the principles of
pressure in this experiment, further
understanding of hydrostatic pressure
has been attained and advancements in
other complex disciplines can be applied
such as in transportation and storage,
learning atmospheric pressure,
healthcare and medicine industries,
submarines to maintain underwater
operations, and other engineering
specializations like mud engineering or
geophysics. For better results, the
inclusion of a “High-Pressure Test Unit”
equipment is advised to best observe
the pressure of stationary liquids (Dong
Su Manufacture, 2023).
• A differential manometer is one method
for measuring pressure head in oil and
water. Depending on the pressure
differential between the two ends, the
liquid inside the tube will rise and sink.
The determination of the measurement
pressure head at the base of a dam or
other water retention structure in
reality. Engineers can determine the
forces that will be acting on the
structure using this information, which is
essential for the design and study of the
structure.
• Head pressure measurement mistakes
can occur from a variety of sources,
affecting the precision and
dependability of the data acquired.
According to Asmuth (2013), precision in
head measurements is difficult to
estimate because of factors such as
equipment specifications, operator skill,
difficult-to-control field conditions, and
potential measurement variances. To
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minimize these sources of error and
assure the accuracy of pressure head
measurements in engineering and
scientific applications, and regular
instrument calibration.
IX. REFERENCES
Asmuth, V. (2013). Hydrogeogolgy Journal.
Review: Hydraulic Head Measurements -
New Technologies, Classis Pitfalls.
Daood, S. (2007). Study on a Concentric Tube
Bulb Manometer and its Performance
Compared to U-shaped Manometer.
Dong Su Manufacture. (2023). What Are The
Common Applications of Hydrostatic
Pressure?
Gaur, A. (2023). Pressure Definition, Formula,
Unit, Applications.
Jazaei, R. (2020). Pressure Management and
Hydrostatics. In Fluid Statics (pp. 27-44).
Morris, A. (2021). Pressure Measurement. In
Measurement and Instrumentation
Third Edition (pp. 469-497).
Swain, P. (2016). Fluid Mechanics. 9.
TIng, D. (2022). Fluid Statics. In Thermofluids
from Nature to Engineering (pp. 135-
160).
Western Washington University. (2023). Oil and
Water U-Tube Density and Pressure.