Notre Dame University(Louaize)

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Cen 361

Pressure Measurment
H30-Pressure Measurement Bench

Prepared by:
Mario Yazbeck
20121092

Submitted to:
Dr. Fady Mourani
29-2-2016

Part 1: Results
Table 1: Bourdon tube calibration for increasing pressure
Mass of dead
Weight
(Kg)
1
1.5
2
3
4
5

Gauge Pressure
(KN/m2)
34
46
61
89
120
148

Theoretical
Pressure
(KN/m2)
31.14
46.71
62.28
93.42
124.57
155.71

Error
(%)
9.18
1.52
2.05
4.73
3.66
4.95

Table 2: Bourdon tube calibration for decreasing pressure

Mass of dead
Weight
(Kg)
5
4
3
2
1.5
1

Gauge Pressure
(KN/m2)
148
122
93
64
50
36

Theoretical
Pressure
(KN/m2)
155.71
124.57
93.42
62.28
46.71
31.14

Error
(%)
4.95
2.06
0.45
2.76
7.04
15.6

Sample Calculations:
P=(M x g)/A where M is mass(kg), g=9.81 (N/kg) and A=area of cylinder(m 2)
P=(1 x 9.81)/0.315 = 31.14

Error(%)= (Theoretical P Gauge P)/(Theor P) x 100=(155.71-148)/(155.71) x

100= 4.95%

Theoretical & Measured

Pressure vs Weight
200

Theoretical
Pressure(KN/m2)

150
Pressure(KN/m2)

100

Gauge Pressure(KN/m2)

50
0
0

Weight(Kg)

Graph 1 for Table 1(Experiment 1)

Percent Error vs Weight

10
8
6
Error

Error(%)

4
2
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
weight(Kg)

Graph 2 for Table 1(Experiment 1)

Theoretical & Measured Pressure vs Weight

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Pressure(KN/m2)

Theoretical
Pressure(KN/m2)
Gauge Pressure(KN/m2)

Weight(Kg)

Graph 3 for Table 2(Experiment 2)

Percent Error vs Weight

20
15
10

Error(%)

5
0
5.5 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5
Weight(Kg)

Graph 4 for Table 2(Experiment 2)

Error(%)

Table 3: Gauge Pressure Measurement

L(mm)

2xL(mm
)

L(mm)

Gaug
e
Press
ure(m
m)

(rad
)

11

22

12

41

56.44

21.82

Inclined Vertical
tube
Tube
manom manom
eter
eter
reading reading(
(Pa)
Pa)
214.05 215.82

27

54

30

68

53.13

54.55

535.13

529.74

51

102

55

98

58.70

100.02

981.19

1000.62

82

164

92

180

51.5

167.30

1641.2
1

1608.84

Avera
ge =

H(m
m)

54.94

Sample Calculations:
=sin-1((2L-L)/L)=sin-1((22-12)/12)=56.44
For vertical tube manometer reading: Pvertical= .g. H= 1 x 9.81 x
22=215.82 Pa
For inclined tube manometer reading: Pinclined= .g. H= 1 x 9.81 x 21.82=
214.05 Pa
For Gauge Pressure: Pgauge= .g.Pgauge(mm)= 1 x 9.81 x 41 = 402.21 Pa

Gaug
e
press
ure(Pa
)
402.2
1
667.0
8
961.3
8
1765.
8

Pressure vs L(For Gage Pressure )

2000
1500
H(Pa)
Pressure(Pa)

1000

H'(Pa)
Gauge pressure(Pa)

500
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
L(mm)

Graph 5

Table 4: Vacuum Pressure Measurement

L(mm)

2xL(mm
)

L(mm)

Gaug
e
Press
ure(m
m)

(rad
)

H(m
m)

-16

-32

-18

-22

51.05

-33.169

-30
-60

-60
-120

-32
-66

-50
-120

61.04
54.9

-58.97
-121.6

-85

-170

-90

-170

62.73

-165.85

Inclined Vertical
tube
Tube
manom manom
eter
eter
reading reading(
(Pa)
Pa)
-325.39 -313.92

-578.47 -588.6
-1177.2
1193.0
9
-1667.7
1626.9
5

Avera 57.43
ge =
The sampe calculations for table 4 are the same equations mentioned above
for table 3.

Gaug
e
press
ure(Pa
)
215.8
2
-490.5
1177.
2
1667.
7

Pressure vs L(Vacuum Pressure)

0
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20
-200 0
-400
-600
-800
Pressure(Pa)
-1000
-1200
-1400
-1600
-1800

H(Pa)
H'(Pa)
Gauge Pressure(Pa)

L(mm)

Graph 6

Part 2: Discussion
2.a Description of Data
For the first 2 experiments, the bourdon tube calibration device was used in
order to measure different pressures for different weights. As we increased
the weight in experiment 1, the values of the pressure also increased. This
description also was verified while calculating the theoretical pressures. In
experiment 2, as we decreased the weight, the values of the pressure also
decreased and where verified in the calculation of the theoretical pressures.
Concerning the error, we can say that it is somehow not very large. The error
reached a maximum of 9.18% in experiment 1 with a 15.6% in experiment

2.However this error must be limited to a maximum of 5%. As we can see in

graphs 1 and 3, the measured pressure is almost overlapping the theoretical
pressure. Graphs 2 and 4 show that the error alternates with weight.
For experiments 3 and 4, a vertical tube manometer, an inclined tube
manometer, and a bourdon type gauge where used to measure gage and
vacuum pressures. Graphs 5 and 6 show and overlapment in results for the
inclined and vertical tubes manometer readings, while the gauge reading
differs a little bit. For the vacuum, the obtained results were negative. We
can also observe that as L increases the pressures all also increase.

2.b Analysis of Data

The overlapping of the theoretical and measured pressure in graphs 1 and 3
mean that our reading we very close to the real ones with a little bit of error.
Furthermore, we can conclude that the weight and pressure are directly
proportional, since as the weight decreases or increases, the pressure also
decreases or increases. Such outcome was expected of course. The results
are accurate since they are close, however they are not very precise since
there is change in value between the increasing experiment and the
decreasing experiment. Concerning experiments 3 and 4, as we can see from
the respective graphs, the vertical and inclined pressure readings are very
close but not exactly the same. This certain difference is due to the angle
found in the inclined tube, which makes the fluid need more pressure in
order for it to move and equal amount comparing to the vertical one. Here
we can analyze that if the inclined angle is small, the accuracy would be
better. (The smaller the angle, the better the accuracy). The possible sources
of error are that the equipment used are old and dont give precise readings
between several trials. Furthermore, a small error comes from humans as a
result of misreading the value or not reading the exact correct value. The
arrow in the gauge reading was not set to zero which also leads to an error.

These errors affect the precision and accuracy of our conclusions. Limitations
are that the machine is very old and not frequently calibrated. A useful
suggestion for improvement is a new machine or better frequent calibration
and maintenance.