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MECH 380 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS

Spring 2014
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASK
(Update: Jan. 13, 2014)
Prerequisites:
ELEC 231 Electrical Engineering Laboratory
JGEN 300 Technical Communication
MECH 310 Fluid Mechanics (or parallel)
MECH 350 Intro. to Dynamics and Control of Engr. Sys. (or parallel)
IMSE 321 Appl. Engr. Probability and Statistics or STAT 380 (or parallel)
Lecture:
Class Time
Tu/Thr 08:30 am-09:20 am

Class Location
Scott Engineering Ctr. 357

Instructor
Jay Kim, Ph.D.

Instructor:
Jay Kim, Ph.D.
E-mail
: jkim13@unl.edu
Office
: W342 NH
Office Ph : 402-472-2375
Office Hrs : Tu/Thr 09:30 am-10:30 am or by appointment
Lab TAs:
John Davison (Lab SEC: TBA)
Email:jdav.nexus@gmail.com
Zesheng Zhang (Lab SEC: TBA)
Email: zzszidane@gmail.com; Office: NH 150 F
Musa Norouzian Reykandeh (Lab SEC:TBA)
Email: mnorouzian@huskers.unl.edu; musa.norouzian@gmail.com; Office: NH 150 D
Akankshya Shradhanjali (Lab SEC:TBA)
Email:s.akankshya88@gmail.com; Office: NH 150 F
Textbook:
Mechanical Measurements, 6th edition by T.G. Beckwith, R.D. Marangoni, and J.H.Lienhard
Objectives:
1. Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of mechanical measurement systems (basic
concepts and terminology, generalized measurement system, dimensional standards).
2. Develop an understanding of the procedures for the collection, statistical analysis, and
graphical presentation of experimental data (types of error, statistical properties, probability,

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uncertainty and confidence statements, goodness-of-fit test, sample mean comparison test,
propagation of uncertainty, least square curve fitting, coordinate transformation).
3. Develop an understanding of the principle of operation and application of measurement
readout devices (multimeter, analog and digital oscilloscopes, electronic counter, computer-based
data acquisition system).
4. Develop an understanding of the principle of operation and application of measurement
signal conditioning devices (current sensitive circuit, ballast circuit, bridge circuits, amplifier,
filter).
5. Develop an understanding of the time response of measurement systems and the analysis of
time-varying data (Fourier series analysis, discrete Fourier series analysis, frequency spectrum,
FFT, frequency response function, phase response function).
6. Develop an understanding of the principle of operation and the application of
sensors/transducers for the measurement of common mechanical engineering measurands
including length and displacement, rate of rotation, stress and strain, pressure, fluid flow rate,
fluid flow velocity, temperature, vibration, and sound.
Homework:
1. Due in class, two class meetings after assigned, no late homework. One problem that is
randomly selected will be graded.
2. Homework Problem Format
Use 8 1/2 by 11 inch Engineering paper; only one side of the paper should be used and
only one problem should be included per page; if more than one page is needed for a
problem, all pages should be stapled together, in order.
At the top of the engineering paper there are 5 boxes. Starting from the left:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Box 1: leave blank

Box 2: put your name (last, first, middle) (e.g., Smith, Joe e; not Joe e. Smith)
Box 3: put the problem number, i.e. Prob. 10.24
Box 4: leave blank
Box 5: put the page number of the problem/total pages for this problem, i.e. 1/3 or
3/3
3. Homework solutions and grading will be posted on the course web page (Black Board).
4. Collaboration on homework is strongly encouraged but should be limited to general
discussion of the approaches.
Laboratory:
Attendance and participation in laboratory sessions are mandatory.
Exams:
1. There will be one final (2 hrs) and two midterm exams (50 min. each)

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Two midterm exams (8:20 am to 9:20 am, a two-week advance notice will be given)
Final exam (7:30 am to 9:30 am on Monday, May 05)
2. Each exam will consist of two parts:
First part: a short answer closed book, closed notes part
Second part: a problem solution open book, closed notes part
One scrape paper (both sides of the paper) with your choice-of-equations is allowed
for both parts of the exam.
3. Only clearly written answers will be graded. All work, which you deem incorrect, must
be clearly crossed out. Fortuitously correct answers without correct solution methods
will receive no credit. (This part is valid for the homework grading as well)
4. NO MAKEUPS will be given unless in unexpected circumstances such as illness,
documents authorizing excused absence are produced, or for justified reasons, special
arrangements are made with the instructor sufficiently in advance.
5. The final exam is comprehensive with emphasis on the end-of-the-semester material.
Evaluation and Grades:
Grade
A score ( )
A+
94.00%
A
90.00%
A86.67%
B+
83.33%
B
80.00%
B76.67%
C+
73.33%
C
70.00%
C66.67%
D+
63.33%
D
60.00%
D56.67%
F
less than 56.67%

Weighting:
Lab Reports & Participation:
Homework:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Final Exam:
Total

40%
5%
15%
15%
25%
100%

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Course Outline:
Chapter 1 The Process of Measurement: An Overview
Chapter 2 Standards and Dimensional Units of Measurements
Chapter 3 Assessing and Presenting Experimental Data
Chapter 9 Readout and Data Processing
Chapter 11 Displacement and Dimensional Measurement
Chapter 10 Measurement of Count, Events per Time, Time Interval, and Frequency
SEMESTER EXAM #1
Chapter 4 The Analog Measurand: Time-Dependent Characteristics
Chapter 5 The Response of Measuring Systems
Chapter 7 Signal Conditioning
Chapter 12 Strain and Stress: Measurement and Analysis
Chapter 14 Measurement of Pressure
Chapter 15 Measurement of Fluid Flow
SEMESTER EXAM #2
Chapter 16 Temperature Measurements
Chapter 17 Measurement of Motion
Chapter 18 Acoustical Measurements
FINAL EXAM: 7:30 am to 9:30 am on Monday, May 05
Statement of Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is essential to the existence and integrity of an academic institution. The
responsibility for maintaining that integrity is shared by all members of the academic
community. To further serve this end, the instructor of this class supports a Student Code of
Conduct which addresses the issue of academic honesty.
Diversity Statement:
The University of Nebraska is committed to a pluralistic campus community through Affirmative
Action and Equal Opportunity. This instructor assures reasonable accommodation under the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact me for a
confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to
students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course
activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, student must be
registered with the Services for Student with Disabilities (SSD) office, 132 Canfield
Administration, 472-3787 voice or TTY.