Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering

Engineering Measurement Lab (ENMC3151)

Report of Experiment 5

“Pressure Measurements”

Prepared by:
Abdallah Musaffar – 1201680
Group members:

Samara Sleibi - 1191559

Mohammad Sleme – 1201094

Instructor: Dr. Sameh Abu Awwad

TA: Eng. Diaa Almahmoud

Section: 1
Date performed: November 2nd 2024
Date submitted: November 10th 2024

1
 Index

Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------- 3

Objective --------------------------------------------------------- 4

Theory ------------------------------------------------------------ 5

Experimental Procedure -------------------------------------- 8

Calculations ----------------------------------------------------- 11

Results ------------------------------------------------------------13

Discussion of Results -------------------------------------------20

Conclusions ------------------------------------------------------21

Appendices -------------------------------------------------------22

References --------------------------------------------------------25

2
Abstract
Pressure is a mandatory concept in the world, and must be very well understood by engineers
and how it works in order to be able to conduct its principles when it comes to real-life
applications. The purpose of this experiment is mainly revolved around how pressure tends to
act and differentiate for three separate equipment in the lab, each part with a different set of
variables; such as weight and pressure for the Bourdon Tube Gauge, head and velocity for
Pitot-static tube, and pressure and voltage for a pressure sensor device. The conduction of this
experiment is done for three different parts, the classic normal pressure measurement is done
through the Bourdon Tube set, by placing increasing set of weights on a piston sitting on top
of hydraulic fluid for accurate pressure measurements. Then, Pressure difference measurement
∆𝑃, in mm, for the Pitot-static tube using the wind tunnel fan, and recording the velocity as it
increases by the performers. For the final part, the pressure is measured electrically using a
variety of pressure sensors, with different pressure values on the piston connected to the circuit,
the output voltage is then recorded for deeper analyzation. The readings, as well as the results
and the numerical values recorded for each part were reasonable and correct, it turned out for
each part that the values increase linearly; as one value increases, so does the other one.

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Objective
The main objective of the experiment is to get to know different techniques and devices used
in order to measure the pressure and how to use them. With three different sets of equipment
and three different parameters and objectives, performers are expected at the end of the
experiment to know how the devices are used, when they’re used, and for what purpose they
can be applied for.

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Theory
The experiment is divided into three separate parts, when it comes to the first part, it talks about
the basic principle of pressure when weights are added to the Bourdon Gauge Tube. The piston
placed on top of the hydraulic fluid creates over the cross-sectional area of the tube creates
pressure; as shown in the following equation:
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑃=
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
Where:
P: Pressure (kPa).
Force (F): Applied force from the weights (N) or (𝑘𝑔𝑓 ).

Area (A): Area of the tube (m2).

The Bourdon Tube measures relative pressure between 0.6 – 7000 bar, or 60 kPa to 0.7 MPa,
where the tube is considered to be a mechanical pressure measuring instrument; because it
operates without the need of any electrical power. Figure 1 shows the Bourdon Tube Gauge.

Figure 1: Bourdon Tube Gauge.

The working principle of the Bourdon Tube Gauge is achieved by using a C-shaped Bourdon
tubes, making an angle of 250°, where the end of the C-shaped Bourdon tube connected to a
gear-like mechanism allowing the measuring arrow to be turned clockwise the more weights
are added on the piston. Figure 2 shows the operation principle of the Bourdon tube pressure
gauge.

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 Figure 2: Operation principle of the Bourdon tube pressure gauge.

The experimental values of the practical work of the experiment will lead to error; as there
might be some human, systematic, or random error occurring while taking the readings and
installing the setup. The following equation represent the error percentage:

𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑢𝑏𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 − 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒

% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒

For the second part of the experiment, the Pitot-static Tube measurement instrument is used in
order to record the readings using a digital micro manometer. The main purpose of it is to
measure the flow velocity (m/s) of the fluid, which is air, and the pressure difference (∆𝑃)
displayed in the inclined manometer. Figure 3 shows the tube used for the experiment. The
velocity of air inside the air tunnel can be read from the digital micro manometer, as well as
calculated using the following equation:

𝛾𝑜
𝑉 = √2𝑔∆𝑃 (( ) − 1)
𝛾

Where:
V : Velocity of air (m/s)
g : Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m2/s)
∆𝑃: Pressure difference (kPa)
𝛾𝑜 : Unit gravity force of manometer fluid (0.784 N)
𝛾 : Unit gravity force of air (1.2 x 10-3 N)

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In order to check if the values recorded in the experiment are accurate, the calculation of error
shall be taken into consideration. The percentage of error equation:

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙

% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙

Figure 3 shows a simple diagram of the Pitot-static tube.

Figure 3: Pitot-static tube Diagram

As for the third part of the experiment, pressure will be adjusted on the piston chamber, where
the cylinder is connected to a pressure sensor measurement set-up. An index instrument is
installed on top of the cylinder; for pressure to be checked. On the cylinder (chamber), there is
an exhaust valve installed next to it; so that atmospheric pressure, or zero value, can be achieved
when the zero value must be obtained. Figure 5 shows the pressure sensor measurement set-up
used for the 3rd part of the experiment.
After the pressure is adjusted (bar), the output voltage can be read through a multimeter
connected to the set-up. The voltage is taken both before heating the transducer and after
heating it for 3 minutes; so that the voltage can be compared when heat is taken into
consideration. Figure 4 shows the pressure generator diagram.

Figure 4: Pressure Generator Diagram

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Experimental Procedure
Part I: Bourdon Tube Gauge
• The experiment starts by placing a piston and rotating it on top of a hydraulic liquid
inside a cylinder, which is considered as the zero pressure point when recording the
values.
• Weights are added gradually on top of the piston, 0.5 kg for the first 4 runs.
• The pressure is then shown on the Bourdon Tube Gauge in kN/m2 or kPa.
• Pressure on the cross-sectional area is recorded for 8 runs; with 0.5 kg addition for the
first 4 runs, then 1 kg for the rest 4 runs.
• Weights and piston are removed, and any excess hydraulic liquid should be cleaned.
• After the 8 Gauge readings are recorded, they can be compared with the theoretical
value of pressure using Pascal’s law; in order to check for the percentage of the error.
Figure 5 shows the Bourdon Gauge used to accomplish the experiment.

Figure 5: Bourdon Gauge

Part II: Pitot-Static Tube

• The second part starts by connecting the Pitot-static tube to both the inclined manometer
& the digital micro manometer.
• Plug in the electricity for the fan that will be used for increasing or decreasing the flow
of the air into the wind tunnel.
• By starting at a low speed, the velocity (m/s) and pressure difference ∆𝑃 (mm) are
recorded for the first run, by rotating the wheel of the fan. The velocity & pressure
difference are both measured from the digital micro manometer.
• The fan speed is increased by a small value for each run.
• The measuring steps are repeated for each run, which are about 10 runs.
• In order to calculate the error for an individual fan speed, the wheel shall be turned
quickly to another high value and then back to the chosen fan speed.

8
 • The above step is recorded five times so that the accuracy and error can both be
determined.
• The system is shut off, then the head, and unit gravity force in the inclined manometer
are measured (∆𝑃, 𝛾𝑜 ) respectively. Figure 6 shows the Pitot-static tube used in the
experiment.

Figure 6: Pitot – static tube fitted on Wind Tunnel

Part III: Pressure Sensor Measurement

• The final part of the experiment starts by applying the pressure needed using a piston
inside a chamber, controlled by a screw valve and a handle.
• A digital multimeter is connected to the Pressure Sensor Measurement Set-up, shown
in Figure 7, so that the output voltage that is generated due to the pressure, can be read
and recorded for further comparison.
• The index instrument shows how the pressure increases the more the handle is
tightened, which the value can then be read and recorded for the first run.
• When tightening the screw and reading the values, the exhaust valve must be closed
until all of the readings are done.
• After all the output voltage values are recorded from 0 – 2 bar, the exhaust valve is
open to match the atmospheric pressure.
• Return the piston to the zero position, and turn on the incandescent lamp attached to the
set-up to heat up the transducer for about 3 minutes.
• Repeat the above steps for the heated transducer, and record the output voltage for
pressure applied inside the chamber. Figure 9 shows the linearity between the pressure
applied and the output voltage.

9
 Figure 8: Pressure Sensor Measurement Set-up

Figure 9: Linear relation between pressure & voltage

10
Calculations
Part I: Bourdon Tube Gauge
The first part of the experiment is focused on calculating the pressure applied on the piston,
that will be measured using the Bourdon Gauge using Pascal’s Law:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑘𝑔𝑓 ∗ 9.81
𝑃= =
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
An example run:
Run Weight added to piston (kgf) Gauge Reading (kN/m2)
2 0.5 32

Theoretical pressure calculation, with an area of cylinder = 333 mm2:

0.5∗9.81 4.905
𝑃= = + 15 ➔ 𝑷 = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟕𝟑 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐
0.000333 0.000333

The addition of 15 kN/m2 is because in the first run, when no weight is added to the piston, the
pressure read on the gauge was 15 kN/m2. As no weight is added onto the piston, the piston
itself will exert some pressure on the gauge. The 15 kN/m2 might not be the true pressure; but
it was added in order to make a reference point with the experimental pressure.
The difference between the theoretical and experimental value is because of the error; which is
both human and systematic. The percent error formula for the Bourdon Tube:
𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑢𝑏𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 − 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
32 − 29.73
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
29.73
%𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝟕. 𝟔𝟑𝟓%

The error is essential in the calculation phase; because it shows how accurate was the
performance of the experiment by the performers.
The error differs from one reading to another, this is an error for the 2nd run only.

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Part II: Pitot-Static Tube
In the pitot-static tube part, the theoretical velocity must be calculated; so that it can be
compared with the experimental value in order to check for any error occurrence. Air velocity
through the air tunnel equation:

𝛾𝑜
𝑉 = √2𝑔∆𝑃 (( ) − 1)
𝛾

An example run:
Run Inclined Manometer mm H2O Digital Micro Manometer m/s
4 10 12.83

Theoretical velocity calculation:

0.784
𝑉 = √2 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.01 ((0.0012) − 1) ➔ 𝑉 = √0.1962 ∗ 652.33 = √127.987

𝑽 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟏 𝒎/𝒔

The theoretical velocity is fairly close to the experimental value, which leads to an existence
of an error, an inevitable cause in every experiment done. Percent error equation for the tube:

𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 − 𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
12.83 − 11.31
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100%
11.31

%𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟒𝟏%

Part III: Pressure Sensor Measurement

In the pressure sensor measurement part, there was no calculations involved; because it was
about taking readings for the output voltage before and after heating the transducer. Here’s an
example run for the pressure applied vs voltage output before and after heating:
Before Heating After Heating
P (bar) Vout (Volt) P (bar) Vout (Volt)
1.5 5.43 1.5 5.36

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Results
Part I: Bourdon Tube Gauge
Table 1
Experimental Data (Weight added in kgf, Gauge Reading in kN/m2)
Run Weight added to Piston Gauge Reading
1 0 15
2 0.5 32
3 1 45
4 1.5 65
5 2 80
6 3 110
7 4 137
8 5 165

Table 2
True Pressure applied on the piston (Weight added in kgf, True Pressure in kN/m2)
Run Weight added to piston True Pressure
1 0 15
2 0.5 29.73
3 1 44.46
4 1.5 59.19
5 2 73.92
6 3 103.38
7 4 132.84
8 5 162.3

Table 3
Error table for each run (Run vs Percentage of Error)
Run %Error
1 7.64
2 1.22
3 9.82
4 8.23
5 6.41
6 3.13
7 1.67
8 7.64

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Part II: Pitot-Static Tube
Table 4
Experimental Data (Inclined Manometer H2O in mm, Digital Micro Manometer in m/s)
Run Inclined Manometer H2O Digital Micro Manometer
1 2.5 6.52
2 5 9.05
3 7.5 11.13
4 10 12.83
5 12.5 14.26
6 15 15.62
7 17.5 16.86
8 20 18.16
9 22.5 19.14
10 25 20.17

Table 5
Random Error calculations for the 3rd Run (Inclined Manometer H2O in mm, Digital
Micro Manometer in m/s)
Run Inclined Manometer H2O Digital Micro Manometer
1 7.2 10.84
2 7.1 10.83
3 7.2 10.91
4 7.3 10.96

Table 6
Error table for each run (Run vs Percentage of Error)
Run %Error
1 15.26
2 13.13
3 13.60
4 13.41
5 12.74
6 12.73
7 12.66
8 13.51
9 12.79
10 12.76

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Part III: Pressure Sensor Measurement
Table 7
Experimental Data (Pressure Changing in bar, Output Voltage in volts)
Pressure Output Voltage
0 0.00
0.1 0.06
0.2 0.46
0.3 0.82
0.4 1.22
0.5 1.64
0.6 2.03
0.7 2.41
0.8 2.77
0.9 3.16
1 3.54
1.1 3.93
1.2 4.31
1.3 4.67
1.4 5.05
1.5 5.43
1.6 5.81
1.7 6.19
1.8 6.56
1.9 6.88
2 7.29

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 Table 8
Experimental Data (Pressure Changing in bar, Output Voltage in volts) After Changing
Temperature
Pressure Output Voltage
0 -6.59
0.1 -6.45
0.2 -4.5
0.3 0.69
0.4 1.16
0.5 1.52
0.6 1.98
0.7 2.32
0.8 2.73
0.9 3.11
1 3.47
1.1 3.89
1.2 4.25
1.3 4.65
1.4 4.99
1.5 5.36
1.6 5.74
1.7 6.11
1.8 6.48
1.8 6.86
2 7.23

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Part I: Bourdon Tube Gauge

Figure 10: Experimental Pressure vs. Theoretical Pressure

Figure 11: Error Percentage at Every Weight Added

17
Part II: Pitot-Static Tube

Figure 12: Velocity measured on the Digital Micro Manometer vs. Velocity from the
Inclined Manometer

Figure 13: Error Percentage at Every Inclined Manometer Reading

18
 Figure 14: Random Error for the 3rd Run in “Table 4”

Part III: Pressure Sensor Measurement

Figure 15: Pressure Applied vs. Output Voltage, Before & After Heating

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Discussion of Results
The results and calculations mentioned above gave a detailed explanation for each part of the
experiment, as can be seen for reach table and figure. For the first part, Table 1 showed the
pressure reading for each for increasing weights, as the weight on the piston increases, so does
the pressure, which makes sense according to Pascal’s law. When compared with the true
pressure shown in Table 2, it can be witnessed that there is an error occurring in the experiment,
which is both human & systematic error; human due to the non-accuracy of the readings, and
systematic because of the pressure gauge itself, it might not give 100% accurate readings as
well, where it can be seen in Table 3. Figures 10 & 11 also prove the point of the relation
between the experimental & theoretical pressure with their error. The second part of the
experiment, the data recorded for the velocity and pressure difference in Table 4 show that as
the velocity of the air sucked in the fan increases, so does the pressure difference that can be
seen in the inclined manometer. According to the instructions of the lab’s instructors, the
possibility of a random error from the pitot-static tube must be checked. Table 5 show that
random & human error occurred in the experiment, which is very normal to happen in such
experiments in the laboratories. Table 6 also shows the systematic & human error due to also
the inaccuracy of both the device and the human. Figure 12 show the relation between digital
micro manometer and the inclined manometer, while the errors can be seen both in Figures 13
& 14, for the systematic & human, and random & human, respectively. As for the final part of
the experiment, the results obtained from the pressure sensor measurement made sense before
heating the transduce, but it can be seen in Figure 15 that the readings after transduce was
heated, it was not accurate for the first couple of readings. This can be explained as a systematic
error; because the 3rd part is about plugging the digital multimeter into the pressure sensor
measurement set up in order to read the output voltage of the pressure generated. The
systematic error in Figure 15 is very beyond the zero point of the output voltage, which can
also be seen in Table 8. In Table 7, the voltage output starts at zero and works its way up as the
pressure in “bar” increases, but after heating it up, it had a weird exponential rise at the first 4
runs. This part explains that as the pressure applied on the piston increases, so does the output
voltage, where it was proven in the experiment done in the laboratory. While every part of the
experiment had different types of errors, they were conducted correctly according to the
instructors’ explanation, so the toll on the human error is not that heavy, but should be on the
equipment.

20
Conclusions
The experiment explains in many ways different types of pressures for each part of it, and how
they make a difference on other factors as they change with time. Each part of the three different
parts of the experiment talks about a specific concept; for example, the first part about pressure
and force, second part about the velocity of air in a pitot-static tube, and the third part about
the relation between pressure and voltage. After conducting every experiment in the correct
way, the relations between the variables gives the performers a better idea of how important
concepts, like pressure and velocity of fluids, work and operate in real life scenarios. Errors
were destined to occur in each part of the experiment, but they were due to the equipment and
human inaccuracy. These errors can be reduced and enhanced by fixing some of the small parts
in the equipment and making sure everything operates more accurately and systematically
correct. The first part worked correctly; as the weights increase, so does the pressure, the same
thing goes for the second part; as the velocity of the wind increases, the pressure difference
increases, for the final part, it was concluded that pressure actually generates voltage when
connected to a pressure sensor measurement device. In the future, the equipment can be more
accurate and give more information if they did not have high systematic error for some parts,
and this explains that the human error is not the main factor of error in some parts of the
experiment. But the experiment in general was very informative and will make a good
explanation of different ideas and theories for students and performers in the future with a bit
more enhanced error-less equipment.

21
Appendices
Table 9
Characteristics of Different Types of Pressure Transducers

Figure 16: Pressure Generation Device Diagram

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References
ENME321 Engineering Measurements Laboratory Manual:
Page 46 - 59

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