Instrumentation, Measurements, and Experiments in Fluids

Mechanical engineers involved with flow mechanics have long needed an authoritative reference that delves into all the essentials required for experimentation in fluids, a resource that can provide fundamental review, as well as the details necessary for experimentation on everything from household appliances to hi-tech rockets. Instrumentation, Measurements, and Experiments in Fluids meets this challenge, as its author is not only a highly respected pioneer in fluids, but also possesses twenty years experience teaching students of all levels. He clearly explains fundamental principles as well the tools and methods essential for advanced experimentation. Reflecting an awe for flow mechanics, along with a deep-rooted knowledge, the author has assembled a fourteen chapter volume that is destined to become a seminal work in the field. Providing ample detail for self study and the sort of elegant writing rarely found in so thorough a treatment, he provides insight into all the vital topics and issues associated with the devices and instruments used for fluid mechanics and gas dynamics experiments. Extremely organized, this work presents easy access to the principles behind the science and goes on to elucidate the current research and findings needed by those seeking to make further advancement. Unique and Thorough Coverage of Uncertainty Analysis The author provides valuable insight into the vital issues associated with the devices used in fluid mechanics and gas dynamics experiments. Leaving nothing to doubt, he tackles the most difficult concepts and ends the book with an introduction to uncertainty analysis. Structured and detailed enough for self study, this volume also provides the backbone for both undergraduate and graduate courses on fluids experimentation.

Table of Contents:
NEED AND OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDY Some Fluid Mechanics Measurements Measurement Systems Some of the Important Quantities Associated with Fluid Flow Measurements FUNDAMENTALS OF FLUID MECHANICS Properties of Fluids Thermodynamic Properties Surface Tension Analysis of Fluid Flow Basic and Subsidiary Laws for Continuous Media Kinematics of Fluid Flow Streamlines Potential Flow Viscous Flows Gas Dynamics WIND TUNNELS Low-Speed Wind Tunnels Power Losses in a Wind Tunnel High-Speed Wind Tunnels Hypersonic Tunnels Instrumentation and Calibration of Wind Tunnels Wind Tunnel Balance Calibration of Supersonic Wind Tunnels Calibration and Use of Hypersonic Tunnels Flow Visualization Hypervelocity Facilities Ludwieg Tube FLOW VISUALIZATION Visualization Techniques Compressible Flows HOT-WIRE ANEMOMETRY Operating Principle Hot-Wire Filaments Constant Current Hot-Wire Anemometer CCA Constant Temperature Hot-Wire Anemometers Relation between Flow Velocity and Output Voltage Hot-Wire Probes Hot-Wire Bridge for Classroom Demonstration Effect of Compressibility Limitations of Hot-Wire Anemometer ANALOGUE METHODS Hele-Shaw Apparatus Electrolytic Tank Hydraulic Analogy Hydraulic Jumps (Shocks) Velocity Measurement Experimental Study Application of the Hydraulic Analogy to Supersonic Airfoils Experimental Study PRESSURE-MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Barometers Manometers Dial-Type Pressure Gauge Pressure Transducers Pitot, Static, and Pitot-Static Tubes Pitot-Static Tube Characteristics Factors Influencing Pitot-Static Tube Performance Pitot Probes Static Probe Pitot-Static Probes Yaw Effect in Compressible Flow Static Pressure Measurement in Compressible Flows Determination of Flow Direction Low-Pressure Measurement Preston and Stanton Tubes Sound Measurements Dynamic Pressure Gauges VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS Velocity and Mach Number from Pressure Measurements Laser Doppler Anemometer Measurement of Velocity by Hot-Wire Anemometer Measurement of Velocity Using Vortex-Shedding Technique Fluid-Jet Anemometer TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT Temperature Scales Temperature Measurement by Thermal Expansion Temperature Measurements by Electrical Effects Practical Thermocouple Measurements The Resistance Temperature Detector Temperature Measurement with Pyrometers Temperature Measurement in Fluid Flows Temperature-Measuring Problems in Fluid Flows Dynamic Response of Temperature Sensors MEASUREMENT OF WALL SHEAR STRESS Measurement Methods MASS AND VOLUME FLOW MEASUREMENTS Direct Methods Indirect Methods Volume Flow Meter SPECIAL FLOWS Geophysical Flows Experiment on Taylor-Proudman Theorem Experiment on Ekman Layer Experiment on Spin-Up and Spin-Down Transition and Reverse Transition Measurement in Boundary Layers DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING Data Acquisition Principle Data Conversion Personal Computer Hardware Data Acquisition Using Personal Computers Digitization Errors Due to A/D Conversion UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS Estimation of Measurement Errors External Estimate of the Error Internal Estimate of the Error Uncertainty Analysis Uncertainty Estimation General Procedure