LESSON 3:

PRESSURE MEASURING DEVICE

AND PRESSURE AT A POINT
PIEZOMETERS AND MANOMETERS

Although a barometer can be used to measure atmospheric pressure,

it is often necessary too measure pressures of to the fluids. There are
a number of ways to accomplish this task. For liquids, a tube may
be attached to the wall of the container (or conduit) in which the
liquid resides so liquid can rise in the tube. By determining the height
to which liquid rises and using equations, the pressure of the liquid in
the container can be determined. Such a device is known as a
piezometer. To avoid capillary effects, a piezometer tube’s diameter
should be about ½ in (13mm) or greater.
PIEZOMETERS AND MANOMETERS

A somewhat more complicated device for measuring fluid pressure

consist of a bent tube (or tubes) containing one or more liquids of
different specific gravities. Such a device is known as a manometer.

In using a manometer, generally a known pressure (which may be

atmospheric is applied to one end of the manometer tube and the
unknown pressure to be determined is applied to the other end. In
some cases however, the difference between the pressures at the
end of the manometer tube is desired rather than the actual
pressure at either end. A manometer to determine this pressure
difference is known as a differential manometer.
MANOMETERS

A. Simple U-Tube Manometer

Using the principle of that the pressure at the

horizontal level in continuous fluid is the same
(Pascal’s law), the pressure at the left and the right
limbs of the manometer at the datum level Z-Z can
be calculated as follows:

𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾1ℎ1 = 𝛾2ℎ2 + 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚

B. Differential Manometer

𝑃𝑎 + + 𝛾1ℎ1 = 𝛾2ℎ2 + 𝛾3ℎ23 + 𝑃𝑎𝑡m

SAMPLE PROBLEM

For the pressure vessel containing glycerin,

with piezometer attached, shown in Fig. 2-
5, find the pressure at point A. 𝛾 = 78.5
SAMPLE PROBLEM

For the open tank, with piezometers attached on the side, containing two different immiscible
liquids as shown in Fig. 2-6, find (a) the elevation of the liquid surface in piezometer A, (b) the
elevation of the liquid surface in piezometer B, and (c) the total pressure at the bottom of the
tank.
SAMPLE PROBLEM
In Fig. 2-7 the areas of the plunger A and cylinder B are 6.00 and 600 𝑖𝑛2 , respectively, and
the weight of B is 9000 lb. The vessel and the connecting passages are filled with oil of
specific gravity 0.750. What force F is required for equilibrium, neglecting the weight of A?
SAMPLE PROBLEM
Oil of specific gravity 0.750 flows through the nozzle shown in Fig. 2-10 and deflects the
mercury in the U-tube gage. Determine the value of h if the pressure at A is 20.0 psi.
SAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the pressure difference between A and B for the setup shown in Fig. 2-17.
SEATWORK
Determine the pressure difference between pipes A and B for the differential manometer
shown.