37515 - Mechanical and Thermal Measurements

Learning outcomes

The main objectives of the course are to introduce and discuss the main issues related to measurements on mechanical and thermal systems, to the acquisition, analysis, processing and interpretation of measurement results, and to the understanding and selection of sensors most widely used for physical quantities measurements.

Course contents

Basic principles

Measurement concept: definitions and standardisation. General measurement systems configurations. Examples of application to different application areas.

Static characteristics of measuring instruments

Static calibration and calibration curve. Statistical data analysis. Metrological specifications: accuracy, sensitivity, treshold, resolution, hysteresis, linearity. Uncertainty: definitions and standardisation, analysis and determination.

Dynamic characteristics of measuring instruments

Introduction and general equation. I and II order instruments and response to typical inputs. Experimental measurement of dynamic parameters.

Analog-to-digital conversion

Quantisation and coding. Analog signal acquisition and conditiong. Sequential and simultaneous multi-channel acquisition configurations.

Dimension, displacement and velocity measurements

Callipers, potentiometres, eddy-current, capacitance, piezoelectric and optical proximity sensors. Incremental and absolute encoders.

Deformation measurements

Strain gages. Resistance strain gages: types, applications, manufacturing and fixing of sheet strain gages, Wheatstone bridge, temperature effect, strain measurement configurations.

Force, torque and power measurements

Scales and piezolelectric and strain gage load cells. Torquemeters. 

Temperature measurements

Thermometers e thermocouples.

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts for the course are available on the virtual learning platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it), as well as the copies of the presentations used in the classroom. The teaching material is sufficient to prepare the examination. The presentations copies alone are useful to take notes or as schemes to support studying, which must however be deepened on the handouts. The books reported in the following list are useful for further deepenening of the course contents.

Reference books

G. Rossi, Misure meccaniche e termiche: basi teoriche e principali sensori e strumenti, Carocci

Other references

R. Figliola, D. Beasley, Theory and design for Mechanical Measurements, Wiley&Sons

G. Minelli, Misure meccaniche , Patron

Teaching methods

Teaching is divided into lectures and hands-on activities and seminars held in the classroom. Hands-on lessons and seminars are useful to get a deeper insight of some of the topics treated in the course.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the learning outcomes is done through a written examination. The latter aims at verifying the knowledge acquired during the course with respect to the execution and related issues of measurements under both static and dynamic conditions, and the operation and calibration of the instruments analysed during the course.

The written test consists of three open questions, composed of some sub-questions, of which at least one is focused on the first part of the course, i.e. static and dynamic performance of measurement systems.

In the event of full pass of the written exam, the obtained grade can be confirmed or an oral examination taken.

A two-points bonus will be granted for the participation to all hands-on and seminars activities. A further bonus point will be granted for replying correctly to an additional question on hands-on activities and seminars held.

Teaching tools

Video Projector, pc

Office hours

See the website of Raffaella Di Sante