ME3901 - Engineering Experimentation

This course was designed to develop experimental (and to a lesser extent, analytical and numerical) skills in modern engineering measurement methods, based on electronic instrumentation and computer-based data acquisition systems. The lectures are concerned with the engineering analysis and design as well as the principles of instrumentation, whereas the laboratory periods afford the student an opportunity to use modern devices in actual experiments. Lecture topics include: review of engineering fundamentals and, among others, discussions of standards, measurement and sensing devices, experiment planning, data acquisition, analysis of experimental data, and report writing. The analysis of experimental data includes detailed discussions of error analysis and statistical representation of data. Laboratory experiments address both mechanical and thermal systems and instrumentation in mechanical engineering (heat transfer, flow measurement/visualization, force/torque/strain measurement, motion/vibration measurement).

Recommended background: mathematics through a first course in integration and differentiation, thermo-fluids addressing heat transfer and fluid flow, mechanics through a first course in statics, dynamics, and strength of materials, and an introductory course in materials.