SYLLABUS

EMAE 285 Mechanical Engineering Measurements Laboratory

Instructors: Paul Barnhart and Joseph M Mansour
Office Hours: TBA
Teaching Assistants: TBA
Web Page: Blackboard
Lectures: M-W 9:30 to 10:20
Labs (when scheduled): M 2:00-4:00, Tues 1:15-3:15, Fri 8:30-10:20 and 2:00-4:00
Lab Groups: Labs will be performed in groups that are typically four to five students.

Measurements and Lab Scheduling

We will have four hands-on labs, one lab demonstration and one measurements design
assignment during the semester. Attendance in all lab sessions is mandatory.
Students must attend their scheduled lab sessions unless the instructor approves other
arrangements at least 72 hours in advance of the lab. Any student not attending the
complete lab will be given no credit for the assignment.

Laboratory Reports
Most, but not all assignments will include written reports with detailed calculations in an
appendix. Groups, not individuals, submit all reports.

The first page of all reports must include the title of the lab, your group number and the
names of all group members.

Calculations, in the appendix of a report, are intended to show details of data analysis,
such as statistical tests, propagation of uncertainty, and values of physical quantities
derived from measurements. Calculations will also include values of measured variables
and their units. These might be displayed in tables or graphs. You must show samples
of each calculation used to analyze your data, including the literal form of the equations
you are using, a written description of each variable, and explicit, sample numerical
calculations with units. All plots must have their axes labeled with the name of the
plotted variable and units.

Each Report may include an assigned set of questions focused on analyzing and
presenting data you’ve collected or that is given to you, and questions related to material
covered in lectures.

Guidelines for preparing written reports will be discussed in class.

All reports must include a “Group Function” section where you will briefly summarize all
group meetings outside of scheduled class time. Include the meeting agenda, place,
time, what actions were taken, and who attended. This must be brief. This section must
also include a statement outlining each person’s contribution to the work, and will
conclude with the statement "This report is based on work performed by the members of
Group _. Each member of the group contributed as described above." Each member of
the group must sign-off on this statement before the report is submitted. Incomplete
reports will be graded as if they were turned in late.
Text, tables and graphs must be created using a word processor, spreadsheet or other
software. All text must be 12 point Times Roman or Arial font. Figure and table captions
may be as small as 8-point font, but all text must be clear and easily readable. Reports
must be double-spaced. There are no rewards for lengthy reports. Please
concentrate on making reports factual, clear and concise.

Textbook
A text is not required. Some books that you might find useful are:
 PR Bevington and DK Robinson, 2003, Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the
Physical Sciences, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston
 JP Holman, 2001, Experimental Methods for Engineers, 7th Edition, McGraw Hill,
Boston
 RS Figliola and DE Beasley, 2000, Theory and Design for Mechanical
Measurements, 3rd Edition, Wiley, New York

Grading
Grades will be based entirely on lab reports. Each group will complete lab reports, and a
group grade will be given. All assignments will be handed in on a pre-assigned due
date. Exceptions require the instructor’s approval at least 72 hours in advance.
Assignments handed in late without approval will lose 20%, plus ten percentage
points for each additional day they are late. There is no final exam in this class.

Catalog Description
Techniques and devices used for experimental work in mechanical engineering. Lecture
topics include elementary statistics, linear regression, propagation of uncertainty, digital
data acquisition, characteristics of common measurement systems, background for
measurement laboratories, and elements of report writing. Hands-on laboratory
experiences may include measurements in solid mechanics, dynamics, and fluid and
thermal sciences, which are summarized in group reports. At least one report will focus
on design of a measurement. Recommended preparation: EMAE 181, ENGR 225 and
ECIV310.

Course Purpose and Objectives

There are two sets of course objectives associated with EMAE 285. The first are the
broad objectives associated with how this course fits into your training as mechanical
and aerospace engineers. These are the ABET criteria listed below. The second set of
objectives describes what you should have the capability to do at the conclusion of this
course.

The educational goals of the program are to produce graduates who:

1. Have a strong technical foundation in the fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
2. Can solve engineering problems by using their knowledge of design, analysis and
experimentation
3. Can apply their understanding of the arts, humanities and social sciences to the
solution of engineering problems
4. Can communicate engineering and technical concepts
5. Can use computer based skills in the analysis and solution of engineering problems

These overall program goals include but are not limited to the ABET criteria:
B. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

Detailed Content Objectives

Data Analysis I: Uncertainty, Error, and Simple Statistics

1. Define (loosely) error, uncertainty, accuracy and precision
2. Describe the types and origins of errors that arise in experiments
3. Calculate the propagation of uncertainties from raw data to results
4. Describe how uncertainties can be minimized and how this impacts the design of
experiments
5. Describe what level of precision is reportable
6. Define the mean and standard deviation of a data set both mathematically and
conceptually
7. Define the error of the mean both mathematically and in terms of uncertainty. (In
particular, what is the difference between error of the mean and standard deviation?)
8. Define statistical significance and compute Student’s t statistic as a measure of
significance, hypothesis testing

Data Analysis II: Linear Regression

1. Define linear regression and describe what it provides
2. Define nonlinear regression
3. Describe the process that generates the formulae for the coefficients in a linear
regression and apply these formulae to data to obtain best-fit parameters
4. Describe the origin of the best-fit parameters’ uncertainties, calculate these
uncertainties for a given data set, and described how they can be minimized
5. Describe and compute a goodness-of-fit metric for a particular data set

Computerized Data Acquisition

1. Describe the key components and processes of computerized data acquisition
2. Define the key parameters of data acquisition
3. Describe why it is (usually) essential to use a computer
4. List and describe typical components and functions of analog signal conditioning
5. Determine the frequency content of an analog signal
6. Determine the computer sampling rate needed to acquire an analog signal
7. Describe the sort of errors computerize data acquisition produces and how to account
for and minimize these errors

Background for Specific Measurements

1. Strain Gages
2. Wheatstone Bridges
3. Temperature measurements
4. Pressure measurements
5. Velocity measurements

Spring 2011 Laboratory Experiences

Calibration: Calibrate a linear variable differential transformer to obtain a relationship
between voltage and displacement

Fluid velocity measurement: Demonstration

Engine lab: Performance testing of various engines and alternative fuels

Convective Heat Transfer: Measurement of heat transfer coefficient for a heated

circular cylinder in airflow

Strain gages and material properties: Attach a strain gage to a beam and determine
Young’s modulus using three point bending

Design for a measurement: Specifications for equipment, experimental conditions,

evaluation of uncertainty, for a measurement. This will be assigned mid-semester and
will be due early during finals week.