DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MESB 203/333 ENGINEERING MEASUREMENT & LAB

COURSE OUTLINES SEMESTER 1 2008/2009

Credit Hours
Instructors

:
:

3
1. Dr. Shahida Begum (Subject Coordinator)
Office: BN1-021 Ext. No. 2274 e-mail: Shahida@uniten.edu.my
2. Dr. Hanim Salleh
Office: BN -1-12 Ext No. 7295 e-mail: hanim@uniten.edu.my

Lecture times

2-hour lecture, 3 hours lab a week

Course Outcomes (CO):

At the end of the course, the student should be able to :
CO1.
Be able to explain the terminology, standards and units used in measurements.
CO2.
Be able to analyze error, precision, uncertainty and general validity of the experimental measurements.
CO3.
State the fundamental relationship between the physical parameters and electronic devices and explain
basic relationship between current-voltage and electronic circuits
CO4.
Be able to measure dimension and displacement by using the proper measuring technique
CO5.
Be able to take decision to choose the right devices for measuring pressure under static or dynamic condition
of the process.
CO6.
Be able to calculate flow of fluids by different flow measurement devices commonly used and the influence of
temperature and pressure on the flow.
CO7.
To familiarize the students with various techniques of temperature measurements and the relationship of
temperature with various physical properties.
CO8.
Would be able to measure force and torque resulted from mechanical systems by using proper measuring
device.
CO9.
Determine the motion or vibration for a specified state i.e. velocity, displacement, acceleration and
independent of location.
CO10. The students are expected to develop the skill to apply all the theories learnt in the measurement classes
into application where design and fabrication are needed.
Text Book
:
th
Holman, J.P, Experimental methods for engineers, 7 edition. McGraw hill, 2001
Engineering measurement Laboratory Manual (Compulsory)
Other Reference Texts

Wheeler, A.J and Ganji, A. R., Introduction to engineering experimentation, 2nd edition, Prentice hall, 2000
R.S. Figliola and D.E. Beasley, Theory and design of mechanical measurements, 3rd edition, Wiley,
E.R. Doebelin, Measurement systems; Application and design, 5th edition, McGraw Hill Higher Education,2003
Assessments

:
Quiz

10%

Assignment/Project

10%

Lab

20%

Tests

20%

Final Exam

40%

Attendance :
Attendance is compulsory. Each student is required to sign an attendance sheet in every lecture and lab.
Students who are absent from the lecture/lab without concrete reason will be panelized. If a student
misses class for 3 times, a letter will be sent to his/her parent and sponsor. If a student misses more than
20% of the class without valid reason, he/she shall be barred from taking the final exam. Students must
provide valid reasons for late arrival. Absence due to illness should be informed within 24 hours from the
missed class/lab and it should be proven by medical certificates (MC).

Tests :
There will be 2 tests as stated in the lesson plan each worth 10%.
Assignments & Projects :
10 % of the total mark of the course will be from the assignments.
Plagiarism
:
Student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words or statements of another person without an appropriate
acknowledgement. Copying someone elses work or facilitating academic dishonesty constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism
will be heavily penalized.
Syllabus/Lesson Plan :

Week
No. (start
date)
1
th
(7 July)
2
(14th July)

3
(21th July)

4
(28th July)

Text
Sect.

Topic

Course Outline
Introduction
Chapter 2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Definition of Terms 5
2

Lab session

Introduction and safety

Session 1

2.3 Calibration 6
2.4 Standards 7
2.5 Dimensions and Units 11
2.6 The Generalized Measurement System
14
2.7 Basic Concepts in Dynamic
Measurements 18
2.8 System Response 31
Session 2
Chapter 3.1 Introduction 48
3.2 Causes and Types of Experimental
3
Errors 49
3.3 Error Analysis on a Commonsense Basis
50
3.4 Uncertainty Analysis 51
3.6 Statistical Analysis of Experimental
Data 62
3.7 Probability Distributions 67
3.8 The Gaussian or Normal Error
Distribution 71
3.14 Standard Deviation of the Mean 98
3.15 Students t-Distribution 99
Session 3
Chapter 4.1 Introduction 144
4.2 Forces of Electromagnetic Origin 144
4
4.3 Waveform Measures 148
4.4 Basic Analog Meters 151

4.5 Basic Digital Meters 157

4.6 Basic Input Circuits 158
4.7 Amplifiers 172
4.8 Differential Amplifiers 176
4.9 Operational Amplifiers 176
4.10 Transformers 180
4.12 Signal Conditioning 183
4.15 The Oscilloscope 197
4.18 CountersTime and Frequency
Measurements 204
4.19 Transducers 204
4.20 The Variable-Resistance Transducer
205
4.21 The Differential Transformer (LVDT)
205
4.22 Capacitive Transducers 209
4.23 Piezoelectric Transducers 211

5
(4 Aug)
th

Session 4

4.24 Photoelectric Effects 213

4.25 Photoconductive Transducers 214
4.26 Photovoltaic Cells 217
4.29 Hall-Effect Transducers 220
4.30 Digital Displacement Transducers 221

Test 1 Friday 8th August 5.00-6.30 pm

6
(11th Aug)

Chapter 5.1 Introduction 233

5.2 Dimensional Measurements 233
5

Session 5

5.3 Gage Blocks 235

5.4 Optical Methods 236
5.5 Pneumatic Displacement Gage 239
5.6 Area Measurements 241

Mid Semester Break 18 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008 (1 week)

7
Chapter
(25th Aug) 6

6.1 Introduction 255

6.2 Dynamic Response Considerations 258
6.3 Mechanical Pressure-Measurement
Devices 260
6.4 Dead-Weight Tester 265
6.5 Bourdon-Tube Pressure Gage 266

Session 6

6.6 Diaphragm and Bellows Gages 267

6.7 The Bridgman Gage 271
6.8 Low-Pressure Measurement 272
6.9 The McLeod Gage 272
6.10 Pirani Thermal-Conductivity Gage 274

8
(1st Sept)

Chapter
7

7.1 Introduction 287

7.2 Positive-Displacement Methods 288
7.3 Flow-Obstruction Methods 291
7.6 Flow Measurement by Drag Effects 306

Chapter
8

8.1 Introduction 355

8.2 Temperature Scales 355
8.3 The Ideal-Gas Thermometer 356

Session 7

9
Chapter
(8th Sept) 10

8.4 Temperature Measurement by

Mechanical
Effects 358
8.5 Temperature Measurement by Electrical
Effects 362
8.6 Temperature Measurement by
Radiation 383
10.1 Introduction 461
Project
10.3 Elastic Elements for Force
Measurements 465
10.4 Torque Measurements 469
10.5 Stress and Strain 473
10.6 Strain Measurements 474
10.7 Electrical-Resistance Strain Gages 475
10.8 Measurement of Resistance StrainGage
Outputs 479
10.9 Temperature Compensation 480

TEST 2 Friday 12th Sept 2008 5.30-7 pm

10
Chapter
(15th Sept) 11

11
(22th Sept)
12
(29th Sept)

11.1 Introduction 492

Project
11.2 Two Simple Vibration Instruments 492
11.3 Principles of the Seismic Instrument
494
11.4 Practical Considerations for Seismic
Instruments 501
Project
Project

Project
Project

Project
Project
Hari Raya 1-2 October 2008

13
th
(6 Oct)
(13th Oct)
14
(20th Oct)

Project /Review

Project

presentation & interview

presentation & interview
(27 Oct 2008 Deepavali) - Final 28 Oct 2008 - 8 Nov 2008 (2 weeks)

CO-PO Matrix :
Relationship of Course Outcomes (CO) to Program Outcomes (PO)
Course Outcomes (CO)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1 Slightly

2 Moderately

PO1

PO2

PO3

Be able to explain the terminology,

standards and units used in
measurements.

Be able to analyse error, precision,

uncertainty and general validity of the
experimental measurements.

State the fundamental relationship

between the physical parameters and
electronic devices and explain basic
relationship between current-voltage and
electronic circuits

Be able to measure dimension and

displacement by using the proper
measuring technique

Be able to take decision to choose the

right devices for measuring pressure
under static or dynamic condition of the
process.

Be able to calculate flow of fluids by

different flow measurement devices
commonly used and the influence of
temperature and pressure on the flow.

To familiarize the students with various

techniques
of
temperature
measurements and the relationship of
temperature with various physical
properties.

Would be able to measure force and

torque resulted from mechanical systems
by using proper measuring device.

Determine the motion or vibration for a

specified
state
i.e.
velocity,
displacement,
acceleration
and
independent of location.

The students are expected to develop

the skill to apply all the theories learnt in
the
measurement
classes
into
application where design and fabrication
are needed.

3 Total fulfillment of PO with formal assessment

Assessments Methods

PO4

3 Substansive
PO5

CO2

1. Lab report/logbooks (20%)

PO7

PO8

PO9

1 Related to PO without formal assessment

CO3

CO4

CO5

CO6

CO7

CO8

CO9

CO10

3. Quizzes (10%)

5. Final Exam (40%)

2. Project assignment (10%)

3. Test/(s) (20%)

PO10

2 Partial fulfillment of PO with formal assessment

CO1

PO6

UNITEN Engineering Programme Outcomes (CO) (Student Attributes Upon Graduation) :

Students graduating from the UNITEN engineering programme are expected to have the following outcomes:
PO1.

ability to acquire and apply knowledge of mathematics, sciences and engineering fundamentals

PO2.

acquiring in-depth technical competence in their respective engineering discipline;

PO3.

ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering related problems;

PO4.

ability to design a system, components or processes to meet desired needs within realistic constraints and
evaluate operational performance

PO5.

Aware of professional and ethical responsibilities

PO6.

ability to communicate effectively

PO7.

ability to function as an effective team player with the capability to lead

PO8.

Understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of a professional engineer and
recognize the need for sustainable development

PO9.

ability to undertake life-long learning and attain knowledge of contemporary issues

PO10.

ability to function effectively in the industrial environment

UNITEN Engineering Programme Educational Objectives (Graduate Attributes 5 Years After Graduation) :
PEO1.

Have strong fundamental engineering knowledge and technically competent in their respective fields.

PEO2.

Uphold professional attitudes and ethics necessary in fulfilling their responsibilities towards the Almighty,
clients and the society.

PEO3.

Are innovative and creative in conceiving, designing and executing broad range of engineering tasks locally
and globally.

PEO4.

Meet industry expectations with excellent communication and leadership skills and committed to life-long
learning.