CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

MECH 411/T Instrumentation and Measurements

Professor: Dr. Ashok Kaushal (EV4.209)

Course Website: Access from your My Concordia portal
e-Mail: ashok_kaushal@hotmail.com
Lecture: T Wed./Fri. 11:45 13:00
Tutorials: TA Friday. 14:15 - 15:05
Laboratories: See schedule below
Office hours: Posted on my door or by appointment

Course Objectives
Unified treatment of measurement of physical quantities; static and dynamic characteristics of
instruments calibration, linearity precision, accuracy, and bias and sensitivity drift; sources of
errors; error analysis; experiment planning; data analysis techniques; principles of transducers;
signal generation, acquisition and processing; principles and designs of systems for
measurement of position, velocity, acceleration, pressure, force, stress, temperature, flow rate,
proximity detection, etc. The course includes demonstration of various instruments. Lectures:
three hours per week. Tutorial: one hour per week. Laboratory: two hours per week, alternate
weeks. (Prerequisites: ENGR 311 and MECH 370)
Course Content:
Introduction, Chapter 1 [1.1, 1.3]
General Characteristics of Measurement Systems, Chapter 2 [2.1, 2.2, 2.3]
Measurement Systems with Electrical Signals, Chapter 3 [3.1, 3.2 (3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4),
3.3, 3.4]
Computerized Data Acquisition Systems, Chapter 4 [4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5]
Discrete Sampling and Analysis of Time-Varying Signals, Chapter 5 [5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4]
Statistical Analysis of Experimental Data, Chapter 6 [6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6]
Experimental Uncertainty Analysis, Chapter 7 [7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.7]
Measurement of Solid-Mechanical Quantities, Chapter 8 [8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 (8.6.1)]
Measuring Pressure and Temperature, Fiber-Optic Devices, Chapter 9 [9.1, 9.2, 9.4]
Measuring Fluid Flow Rate, Fluid Velocity, Chapter 10 [10.1 (10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.1.4), 10.2
(10.2.1, 10.2.3)]
Textbook
Introduction to Engineering Experimentation by A.J. Wheeler and A.R. Ganji,3rd edition,
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010.

Other Textbooks of Interest

Measurement and Data Analysis for Engineering and Science by P.F. Dunn, 2nd edition,
CRC .Press, 2010
Experimental Methods for Engineers by J.P. Holman, 8th edition, McGraw Hill, 2012.
Assignments and Tutorials:
Will be posted on Moodle on a regular basis; You do not have to submit the
assignments
Dr. Ashok Kaushal MECH 411 - Page 1 of 4
Assignments and Tutorial Exercises:

Chapter Assignment Problems Tutorial Problems

2 2.1, 2.4, 2.16, 2.17, 2.29, 2.35,2.36,2.40 2.2,2.3, 2.7,2.15, 2.27, 2.43

3 3.1,3.3,3.4,3.14,3.17,3.19,3.24 3.2, 3.7, 3.13,3.16.3.18,3.20,3.25,3.26

4 4.1, 4.2,4.5,4.9,4.12,4.14,4.27 4.3,4.4,4.8,4.15,4.28

5 5.3, 5.16, 5.19, 5.26 5.4, 5.17, 5.20

6 6.3, 6.7, 6.45; 6.56, 6.59; 6.79, 6.80 6.1, 6.5, 6.46; 6.57, 6.81

7 7.5, 7.8, 7.12; 7.21, 7.32, 7.40, 7.41 7.13, 7.22, 7.37

8 8.8, 8.13, 8.19; 8.25, 8.45 8.7, 8.12, 8.34

9 9.18, 9.22, 9.37 9.17, 9.20, 9.39

10 10.1, 10.32, 10.40 10.2, 10.33. 10.42

Grading Scheme
Quizzes (two) 15%
Midterm exam 20%
Laboratories 15%
Final exam 50%

You do not have to submit the assignments.

Closed book and notes exam
Quizzes will be based on questions from assignments and tutorials
ENCS Faculty approved calculator only. Electronic communication devices (including
cell phones) will not be allowed in examination rooms
It is compulsory to obtain 50% marks in the laboratory component to obtain a passing grade
in the course.
Students with Disabilities

Student with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Access Centre for Students with
Disabilities as early as possible in order to efficiently accommodate their needs.
Code of Conduct

Students should be aware and become familiar with the Universitys Code of Conduct
located at: http://web2.concordia.ca/legal_counsel/policies/english/AC/code.html.
There will be a zero tolerance policy pertaining to violations of this code. In the event of an
offense, an Incident Report will be completed and submitted to the Dean. Plagiarism may
be punished by failure of the exam, or the course, and may lead to expulsion from
University.
Instructor generated course materials (e.g., handouts, notes, summaries, exam questions,
etc.) are protected by law and may not be copied or distributed in any form or in any
medium without explicit permission of the instructor. Note that infringements of copyright
can be subject to follow up by the university.
Dr. Ashok Kaushal MECH 411 - Page 2 of 4
MECH-411 Laboratory

Scope: This laboratory work consists of 6 different laboratory testing and measurement
exercises comprising data acquisition using Lab-View, accelerometer calibration,
mechanical impedance measurement and temperature measurement. The labs will
develop both practical skills and analytical skills.
Requirements: The lab work highly stresses on practical skills, soft skills and teamwork.
Division of labor is essential. EVERYONE should be at work in the team during the lab.
Attendance is mandatory.
Evaluation: Marking will be based on team work, participation, performance in carrying
measurements and report writing. This laboratory represents 15% of the course grade.
Preparation: Read the General Lab Manual and the Lab E-Manual specific to each
exercise.
Deliverables:
o Tasks specific to each lab completed.
o Lab reports completed and submitted on time to the lab instructor.
Schedule:

Dr. Ashok Kaushal MECH 411 - Page 3 of 4

Disclaimer

In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the content
and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.

Graduate Attributes (Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board)

1. A knowledge base for engineering: Demonstrated competence in university level

mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and specialized engineering
knowledge appropriate to the program.
2. Problem analysis: An ability to use appropriate knowledge and skills to identify, formulate,
analyze, and solve complex engineering problems in order to reach substantiated conclusions.
3. Investigation: An ability to conduct investigations of complex problems by methods that
include
appropriate experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information in
order to reach valid conclusions.
4. Design: An ability to design solutions for complex, open-ended engineering problems and to
design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate
attention to health and safety risks, applicable standards, and economic, environmental,
cultural and societal considerations.
5. Use of engineering tools: An ability to create, select, apply, adapt, and extend appropriate
techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools to a range of engineering activities, from
simple to complex, with an understanding of the associated limitations.
6. Individual and team work: An ability to work effectively as a member and leader in teams,
preferably in a multi-disciplinary setting.
7. Communication skills: An ability to communicate complex engineering concepts within the
profession and with society at large. Such ability includes reading, writing, speaking and
listening, and the ability to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation,
and to give and effectively respond to clear instructions.

Dr. Ashok Kaushal MECH 411 - Page 4 of 4