Basics of Engineering

Measurements
(AGE 2340)

Dr. Nasser Mohamed Shelil

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dept.,
College of Applied Engineering, King Saud University

B.Sc. & M.Sc. , Suez Canal University; PhD, Cardiff University/UK

 Course Contents
Chapter 1: Basic Concepts of Measurement Methods
Chapter 2: Uncertainty Analysis
Chapter 3: Electrical Devices and Measurements
Chapter 4: Measurements of Length, Time and Mass
Chapter 5: Temperature Measurements
Chapter 6: Pressure and Velocity Measurements
Chapter 7: Flow Measurements
Chapter 8: Strain and Force Measurements
Chapter 9: Power and Energy Measurements
Applied Mechanical Engineering Program
Basics of Engineering Measurements Contents
Chapter 6:

Pressure and Velocity Measurements

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Chapter 6:
Pressure and Velocity Measurements

6.1 Pressure Concepts

6.2 Pressure Reference Instruments
6.3 Pressure Transducers
6.4 Fluid Velocity Measuring Systems

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Basics of Engineering Measurements Pressure and Velocity
 Pressure

P = F/A ≡ N/m2 (Pa)

Pabs = Patm + Pgage

Pvac = Patm – Pabs

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Pressure Units

1 bar = 105 Pa = 0.1 MPa = 100 kPa

1 atm = 101,325 Pa = 101.325 kPa = 1.01325 bars
1 kgf/cm2 = 9.807 N/cm2 = 9.807x104 N/m2 = 9.807x104 Pa
1 atm = 14.696 psi = 760 Torr
1 Torr = 1 mmHg

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Hydrostatic-equivalent pressure head and pressure

P = gh
= h ≡ N/m2 (Pa)

Pabs = Patm + gh

 : density [ kg/m3 ]
 : specific gravity [ N/m3 ]
g : gravitational acceleration = 9.81 m/s2.

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Example:
Determine the absolute and gauge pressures and the equivalent pressure
head at a depth of 10 m below the free surface of a pool of water at 20 oC.

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Pressure Reference Instruments

Barometer

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Pressure Reference Instruments

Manometer

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 U-tube manometer
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 Inclined tube manometer
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Bellows

Potentiometer pressure transducer

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Pressure Sensors

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1. DEFLECTION TYPE PRESSURE SENSOR

 This sensor uses an elastic material to convert pressure to

displacement
 The displacement will be proportionate to the value of pressure
exerted.
 Suitable to be used in an automatic control system.
 The main element used is in the shape of Bourdon tube, bellow
or diaphragm.
 The secondary element is the element that will convert the
displacement to electrical signals where the displacement can be
detected through resistivity change, inductance or capacitance.

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Pressure Transducers

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Basics ofElastic elements
Engineering used as
Measurements pressure sensors P & v Measurements
Bourdon Tube

Bourdon tube pressure gauge

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Example :
i. Bellow-resistance pressure sensor
• The pressure is proportionate to the resistivity.
• The resistance change is detected by displacement of sliding
contact in the resistance element.

Bellows Calibrated spring Sliding contact

Resistance Output Signal

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Example :
ii. Bellow-inductance pressure sensor
• The pressure is proportionate to the inductance change which is
detected from the displacement of the core in the wire coil.
• The core movement will produce AC signal output which will give
the value and direction of inductance.
• LVDT (linear variable differential transformer) demodulator is
used to convert the AC output to DC.

Bellows Core Output Signal

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iii. Diaphragm-capacitance pressure sensor
• The pressure is proportionate to the capacitance change at the
output through dielectric change.
• Pressure from the sensor element causes the diaphragm to
move towards the plate and produces dielectric change.

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 Capacitance Type Resistance Type

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2. STRAIN GAUGE PRESSURE SENSOR

• Strain gauge is a type of resistive transduction.

• Pressure measurement is obtained from displacement of
elastic element.
• Pressure is measured through force that is exerted on the
diaphragm where the force will be detected by the strain
gauge and resistance change will be produced.
• Wheatstone Bridge circuit is used to detect the change in
pressure and an amplifier is used to amplify the small output
signals.

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Applied Mechanical Engineering Program Chapter 6
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 FLUID VELOCITY
MEASURING SYSTEMS

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Pitot - Pitot static and impact probes

The basic principle of the Pitot and Pitot static tube is that the pressure
of a flowing fluid will increase when it is brought to rest at a stagnation
point of the probe.

The pressure at the stagnation point is the stagnation pressure.

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Applied Mechanical Engineering Program Chapter 6
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