Semester I 2018/2019 Assessment: Assignment 1

BMM3532 Date: 23-November-2018

Measurement &
Instrumentation Section: M01, M02 & M03

CO1: Explain in details the basic

element in measurement and Mark: 100
instrumentation system.

1. Consider the voltmeter calibration data in Table 1. Plot the data by using a suitable scale. Specify the
percent maximum hysteresis based on full-range range. Input X is based on a standard known to be
accurate to better than 0.05 mV.
(10 Marks)

Figure 1

2. A Linear Variable Displacement Transducer (LVDT) senses displacement and indicates voltage output,
which is linear to the input. Figure 1 shows an LVDT set-up used for static calibration. It uses a
micrometer to apply the known displacement and a volt meter for the output. A well-defined voltage
powers the transducer. What are the independent and dependent variables in this calibration?
(10 Marks)

Figure 2
3. A round member having a cross-sectional area of 3 cm2 experiences an axial load of 10 kN. Two strain
gauges are mounted on the member, one measuring an axial strain of 600  (in./in.), and the other
measuring a lateral strain of 163 . Determine the modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio for this
material. (20 marks)

4. A platinum RTD (alpha = 0.003920C-1) is to be calibrated in a fixed-point environment. The probe

itself is used in a balanced mode with a Wheatstone bridge, as shown in Figure 3. The bridge resistances
are known to an uncertainty of 0.001 Ohm (95%). At 0°C the bridge balances when Rc = 100 kOhm.
At 100°C the bridge balances when Rc = 139.200 Ohm. Find the RTD resistance corresponding to 0
and 100°C. (20 Marks)

Figure 3

5. Figure 4 shows a thermocouple circuit J-type used in one temperature measurement system.
a) If the reference juntion having T2 = 0ºC and the output emf is 13.777 mV, what is the
temperature of the measuring junction, T1?
b) If the circuit produces an emf of 15 mV for T1 = 750ºC, what is T2?
(20 Marks)

Figure 4
6. An axial strain gauge and a transverse strain gauge are mounted to the top surface of a steel beam that
experiences a uniaxial stress of 2222 psi. The gauges are connected to arms 1 and 2 of a wheatstone
bridge. Initially Rgauge = R2 = R3 = R4 = 120 ohm. With a purely axial load applied, determine the bridge
constant for the measurement system. If Eo = 250 V and Ei = 10 V, estimate the average gauge factor
of the strain gauge. For this material, Poisson’s ratio is 0.3 and the modulus of elasticity is 29.4 x 10 6
psi.
(20 Marks)