Study Guide | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (MLA 3000) | January 2019

Table of Contents

Contents
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3
2. Contact Information........................................................................................................ 4
3. Module Information ........................................................................................................ 4
4. Textbook & Reading Material ......................................................................................... 6
4.1 Prescribed textbook ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Recommended Reading............................................................................................................................................... 6

5. Module Outcomes .......................................................................................................... 6

6. Module Plan ................................................................................................................... 8
7. Practical Laboratory Work .............................................................................................. 9
8. Plagiarism .................................................................................................................... 11
9. Participation and Final Mark ......................................................................................... 12

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 Study Guide | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (MLA 3000) | January 2019

1. Introduction

In essence, engineering science is based on numbers. These numbers are not abstract values but
relate to physical quantities in the real world. Typical examples include length, velocity, stress and a
myriad of other examples. A design or system is fundamentally described by a set of specific physical
quantities. These have to be measured to realize and verify the design or system. Remember the old
carpenter’s saying “Measure twice and cut once”. This is just as relevant to the carpenter as it is to the
engineer or scientist with the only difference being that the engineer or scientist also measures to check
or investigate system performance which the carpenter may not necessarily do to any large extent.

The measurement and assessment of the accuracy and therefore the relevance of the measured
quantities are one of the biggest challenges faced by engineers. Contrary to what one may think,
measuring and the reporting thereof are much more involved than typically thought. It involves firstly
setting clear objectives as regards to what needs to be measured and why. An experimental design is
then conducted which plans and lays out the work to be done. Measurements of the physical quantities
are then done. These may involve various different technologies, each with their own properties and
difficulties. Also, the accuracy and relevance of the data must be ascertained. Calibration of the
measurement tool is of vital importance in order to establish the correct output scale for the measuring
instrument or system.

The last step usually involves the reporting. The reporting must clearly show the route followed by the
experimental designer outlining the aim, experimental matrix, protocol, equipment used etc. The data
is then presented in a clear and concise manner. This data must then be interpreted and in most cases
compared to other data found in the literature or at the very least put in context with theory or other
published data. This then implies that a literature review should have been or must be conducted.

This course consists of formal lectures that will introduce in a structured manner the science and
technology of experimental measurement and other related topics. The formal assessment will consist
largely of laboratory work that needs to be conducted throughout the year. This module will then
hopefully lay the foundation as regards to the art and science of experimental measurements that you
as an engineer or applied scientist will need and use for the rest of your career and especially in the
final year project investigations course.

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2. Contact Information
The course will be lectured by various lecturers (outlined in the Module Plan) and will be administered
by Dr. S Kruger during the 2023 academic session. Her details are listed below. You are welcome to
come and discuss the course or related issues at any time provided that you schedule an appointment
via the email address provided below.

Course Co-coordinator: Dr S Kruger

Office 206 B3 Lab | Kingsway, APK

Tel: (011) 559-2066

E-mail: skruger@uj.ac.za

Departmental secretary: Siziwe Mthembu

Tel: (011) 559-2386

E-mail: smthembu@uj.ac.za

3. Module Information

Lectures days: Tuesday

Time: 12:10 – 12:55 am

Lecture Venue: C Les 308

Practical Venue: C Les 307 / Scheduled by lecturer

Important information:

Please, note that this module is a continuous assessment module, there will be no final exam and no
supplementary examination will be conducted. If students are allowed back on campus, only a semester
test will be conducted and it will cover all the aspects covered by all the lecturers involved in the module.
It is a requirement that for a student to pass this module, he/she must score at least 50% in the
semester test.

- Laboratory work will be arranged by the relevant lecturers and scheduled on ULink.
- A timeslot and venue are available if the lecturer requires its use
o Thursday
o 9:40 – 12:55
o Venue: C Les 307 / arranged by relevant lecturer.

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Incase students are not allowed back on campus this entire year due to the COVID pandemic, another
approach will be followed. This will be discussed when applicable.

SPECIFIC ECSA EXIT LEVEL OUTCOME OF THIS MODULE

This is an Exit Level Outcome course. The following exit level is addressed in the course:

Exit-level Outcome 4

Investigations, experiments and data analysis. Demonstrate competence to design and conduct
investigations and experiments.

Assessment Criteria (ECSA document E-02-PE Rev2)

The candidate executes an acceptable process including but not restricted to:
1. Plans and conducts investigations and experiments;
2. Conducts a literature search and critically evaluates material;
3. Performs necessary analyses;
4. Selects and uses appropriate equipment or software;
5. Analyses, interprets and derives information from data;
6. Draws conclusions based on evidence;
7. Communicates the purpose, process and outcomes in a technical report.

Range statement (ECSA document E-02-PE Rev2)

The balance of investigation and experiment should be appropriate to the discipline. Research
methodology to be applied in research or investigation where the student engages with selected
knowledge in the research literature of the discipline.
Assessment of outcomes

ELO 4 is assessed and demonstrated in MLA3000 by the introduction, study and application of
experimental design, measurement technique and data acquisition and interpretation as applicable
to the discipline specific area of mechanical measurements. The range statement is addressed by
the inclusion of the following applicable content: Objectives of engineering and scientific
measurements, Experimental design and matrix, Research methodology, Accuracy and reliability,
Data correlation, Presentation and interpretation of results, Report writing and publication,
Introduction and general structure, Literature searches, Journal publications-guidelines for authors,
Tolerances in Engineering, Measurement techniques and data acquisition as regards to fluid
pressure and speed, solar radiation, temperature, stress and strain; and Data acquisition.

Practical application is assessed by completion of assignments (literature review and practical

writing) and practical sessions (temperature measurement, strain measurement, flow measurement
and data acquisition) incorporating the various aspects of the range statement.

Satisfactory performance

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The course contains sufficient and focused scope and content that a successful completion of the
course demonstrates compliance with ELO4 as regards to the range statement and discipline of
Mechanical Engineering. Satisfactory performance on the ability to design and implement an
experiment is demonstrated by conducting 6 experiments which in total amount to 40% of the year
mark. An average of at least 50% for the first 4 experiments must be achieved in order to write the
semester test. A written semester test containing elements of the range statement is then written that
makes up the additional 60%. A minimum of 50% for the semester test is required.

Please, note that this exit level outcome will be examined through the
semester test that will be written at the end of the second semester.

4. Textbook & Reading Material

4.1 Prescribed textbook

Figliola R.S and Beasley D.E. Theory and design of mechanical measurements. John Wiley
and Sons, Fifith edition. 2011. This is available online in google.

4.2 Recommended Reading

Beckwith TG, Marangoni RD, and Lienhard JH. Mechanical Measurements 5th edition.
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. ISBN 0-201-56947-7. 2011.

Kirkup L and Frenkel RB. An introduction to uncertainty in measurement using the GUM
(guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement). Cambridge University Press. 2006.

5. Module Outcomes

The aim of this module is to lay the foundation as regards to the art and science of experimental
measurements and the subsequent reporting thereof. It is also to ensure that students have an
appreciation, including both theoretical and practical applications, of the methods and relevance of
experimental techniques in Mechanical Engineering.

Having completed MLA 3000 you should be able to:

- Realize and comprehend the objectives of engineering/scientific measurements.

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- Generate an experimental design including an experimental matrix.

- Be conversant with various measurement techniques including:
o Fluid velocity and pressure measurement.
o Fluid and solid temperature measurement.
o Strain measurement in solids.
o Electrical potential difference (voltage) and current measurement.
o Solar radiation.
- Be conversant with data acquisition.
- Assess the reliability and accuracy of experimental measurements.
- Adequately report in writing of said data either in experimental reports, dissertations or journal
publications.
-

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory is a year module presented in the third year of the B Eng. -
Mechanical Engineering Program. The content in this module is designed to prepare you for the
practical aspects of this program, especially for final year project investigation.

It is important to note that the contact time (physical lecture time) for this course consists of only one
lecture per week. It is therefore important that certain parts of the course content be studied as self-
study according to your own time schedule. Please note the following:

- Attend lectures. During lectures difficult concepts will be discussed and introduced. It is also
the duty of the lecturer to bring the academic content of the course into context with the real
world and industry. This can only happen during lectures.
- Work diligently and continuously. Experience has shown that it is very difficult to master the
content of any course within a few days before the test or exam. As this course has no exam
attendance and laboratory related performances are key to passing the course.

Also, remember that this course consists largely of experimental work. If these are not formally
scheduled for you, do so as soon as possible and timeously.

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6. Module Plan

Week Course Content Lecturer

13 Feb 1 Introduction & general structure Dr. S Kruger
Objectives of engineering and scientific measurements
21 Feb 2 Experimental design and matrix Prof RF Laubscher
Research Methodology
Accuracy and reliability
28 Feb 3 Data correlation Prof RF Laubscher
Presentation and interpretation of results
7 Mar 4 Tolerances in Engineering Prof RF Laubscher
Thermodynamics – temperature – thermometers, thermocouples,
14 Mar 5
thermisters. Prof D Madyira
27 Mar 6 Thermodynamics – interferometry
Solar Radiation – Direct Irradiance (Pyrheliometers), Global Irradiance
11 Apr 7 Mrs N Janse van Rensburg
(Pyranometers), Spectroradiometers, Photo-Voltaic cells
18 Apr 8 Materials – strain measurements, strain gauging, photoelasticity. Prof RF Laubscher
25 Apr 9 Materials – diffraction techniques, residual stress

2 May 10 Labview/ Data Acquisition

9 May 11 Labview/ Data Acquisition

16 May 12 Labview/ Data Acquisition

18 Jul 13 Labview/ Data Acquisition
24 May 14 Labview/ Data Acquisition Prof J Ren
25 Jul 15 Labview/ Data Acquisition
1 Aug 16 Labview/ Data Acquisition
8 Aug 17 Labview/ Data Acquisition
15 Aug 18 Labview/ Data Acquisition
22 Aug 19 Labview/ Data Acquisition
29 Aug 20 Fluids – pitot tubes, orifice plates, venture meters
12 Sep 21 Fluids – hot wire anemometry
TBA
19 Sep 22 Fluids – Laser Doppler methods
26 Sep 23 Fluids - Laser sheets
43Oct 24 Literature searches
10 Oct 25 Journal publications – guidelines for authors Dr. Zach Simpson
17 Oct 26 Measurement design
TBA SEMESTER TEST/GA ASSIGNMENT Dr. S Kruger

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7. Practical Laboratory Work

The mark allocation in a specific field is left to the discretion of the relevant lecturers and includes lecture
attendance. Please hand in your reports to the respective lecturers handling a particular section or to
the student assistant.

Laboratory work Lecturer Weight

Fluids
TBA 7%

Thermodynamics Prof. D Madyira 7%

Materials Prof RF Laubscher 7%

Data acquisition Prof J Ren 7%

Labview Prof J Ren 6%

Literacy Dr. Z Simpson 6%

Your practical sessions are scheduled for Thursday mornings and will take place in the various
laboratories as designated by the lecturer involved with the specific practical and/or scheduled on Ulink.
Attendance of the laboratory sessions is compulsory. Failure to do so will result in immediate
course failure.

Each student is to hand in a final report on each of the experiments. This implies that students must
attend the laboratory sessions prepared. Each student must familiarize his or herself with the relevant
theory beforehand. During or before the laboratory sessions, an oral examination may be conducted
in which at least the keywords of each experiment must be satisfactorily discussed.

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The reports must be written according to the following guidelines.

o Title Page
o Plagiarism Statement
o Abstract
 Give a brief description of the practical and the most important results.
o Table of contents
o List of Figures
o List of Tables
o List of Symbols and units
o Introduction
 Brief introduction to practical
o Aim of practical
o Literature Review: Theoretical background and literature review. Do not plagiarize.
This will lead to immediate academic disciplinary steps.
o Experimental design
o Experimental matrix
o Setup
o Experimental protocol
o Results and Discussion
 Report and discuss your results
o Conclusions
o References
 List the references that were used. Refer in-text to references. (Use IEEE
reference style).
o Appendixes
o Anything that you do not want to include in the main body of the report. Refer in-text
to appendixes.

Hard copies of the reports should be submitted to the lecturer involved. Your reports will be marked
according to the exit level outcomes.

An electronic copy should be submitted via TurnItIn on ULink in order to check for plagiarism.
The hardcopy of the report will not be marked if an electronic copy was not submitted. Results may take
some time to generate, so do not leave your submission until 10 minutes before the deadline. If students
are not allowed back on campus, only the electronic copy will be marked.

Please make sure that your plagiarism index is as low as possible. Problems with the submission via
Ulink can be discussed with Dr. S Kruger.

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PLEASE NOTE: You are not allowed to resubmit work that has already been submitted for evaluation
in another course (for example the literature review for certain practical experiments might be similar to
experiments conducted in other courses)

Specific dates as regards to the practical sessions will be communicated to you via ULink.

ALL LATE SUBMITTED REPORTS WILL BE PENALIZED BY 5% PER DAY

8. Plagiarism

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the plagiarism policy of the University of
Johannesburg as stipulated in the Academic Regulations:

“Plagiarism” means the act of representing the ideas, writings, works or inventions of others as the
fruits of one’s own original intellectual endeavors without adequately acknowledge the author or source.
With the copyright law, provision is made for only a limiting or legitimate curtailment of the copyright of
the holder of the right if the infringement qualifies as “fair dealing” which presupposes adequate and full
acknowledgement of the source. Any contravention is not merely immoral and unethical but a
contravention of the law.

“Fair dealing” includes research or private study, criticism or review of what work or for the purpose of
reporting on current events in a periodical, provided that the source of the work as well as the name of
the author is mentioned in full. If a student or researcher’s work is not authentically his/her own, such
work does not qualify as an academic output, whether this is a student assignment or employee
research, and will be viewed as plagiarism, which is defined as the appropriation of another’s work,
whether intentionally or unintentionally without proper acknowledgement. Copyright is the specific
intellectual property right that an author acquires in accordance with the Copyright Act, No. 98 of 1978
in respect of a protected work. Copyright infringement includes the infringement of the economic rights
of the right holder and the moral rights of the author. Academic dishonesty is a denial of ethical values.
It undermines the credibility of research results and is a negation of sound academic practice. No value
is added if copyright is infringed or where unethical research practices are used. Material gained
through dishonesty adds nothing to existing knowledge: there is no growth in the independence of the
writer’s intellectual involvement and the writer’s academic integrity is compromised. Unethical research
practices undermine the purpose of education by casting doubt on the institution’s ability to promote
sound and efficient scholarship and will not be tolerated.

Any form of dishonesty, including plagiarism, in relation to any assessment event will be dealt with in
accordance with the University’s disciplinary code.

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9. Participation and Final Mark

To facilitate the learning experience and benefit the most from the course, it is crucial to attend the
theoretical lectures. For this reason, class attendance is compulsory. If a student fails to attend more
than 80% of the theoretical lectures, he/she will automatically fail the course. The administration of
class attendance will be handled by the individual lecturers.

A SINGLE SEMESTER TEST WILL COUNT 60% TOWARDS THE FINAL MARK, WHILE THE SIX
DIFFERENT PRACTICAL MARKS WILL AMOUNT TO 40% OF THE FINAL MARK. AN AVERAGE
OF AT LEAST 50% FOR THE FIRST FOUR EXPERIMENTS MUST BE ACHIEVED IN ORDER TO
QUALIFY FOR THE SEMESTER TEST. THERE WILL BE NO WRITTEN FINAL EXAM. A
SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE SEMESTER TEST. TO PASS
THE MODULE, EACH STUDENT MUST SCORE AT LEAST 50% IN THE SEMESTER TEST.

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