ME 123 REPORT TEMPLATE
[Edit 10/04/2013]
The following template, including the title page, has been prepared to guide the
students for writing good experimental lab reports in mechanical engineering lab
courses. The students are advised to note the following rules regarding the labs and lab
reports:
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The posted safety rules in the labs must be strictly observed.
Must come to the lab on time.
Must be prepared prior to the lab by reading the lab manual and completing all
assigned pre-lab work for the experiments.
Unless otherwise stated, the lab reports are to be written in groups with
contribution of each member clearly identified in the report.
Must actively participate in performing the experiments, and should also take an
active role in writing a group report.
Primary and secondary contributors must be indicated in each section of the
report.
For each lab experiment, a peer and self evaluation form must be prepared by
each team member and submitted to the lab instructor separately.
The report must be submitted by a team leader selected for each report. The
team leadership must rotate during the semester.
Unless otherwise stated, all reports are 100 points.
Unless otherwise instructed, lab reports are due two weeks from the date the
experiment is performed.
No lab final lab grade will be assigned unless all reports are submitted.
Presenting Equations, Figures, and Tables
This only notes on how to properly format your tables and figures. These techniques
apply to usage in Word or an equivalent word processor. Students are very welcome to
type-set their reports in Latex. When referencing an equation, figure, or table always
use capital letters, i.e. “The Bernoulli equation can be rearranged to determine velocity
as shown in Equation 1.”
Equations
All final equation forms need to be numbered. One recommended way to handle
equations is to set up a simple two column table in Word (or equivalent word processor).
Place the equation in the left cell and the appropriate equation number in the right.
2(𝜌𝐿 𝑔|ℎ𝑡 − (ℎ𝑠 )𝑖 |)
𝑣𝑖 = √
𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟
(1)
Clean up the equation by removing the table borders:
2(𝜌𝐿 𝑔|ℎ𝑡 − (ℎ𝑠 )𝑖 |)
𝑣𝑖 = √
𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟
(1)
This can easily be copied and pasted to other locations within your report for additional
equations
Figures
Figures include images and data plots. An example of properly set figure is
demonstrated below. In Word (or equivalent word processor) set up a two row table
and use the upper table cell to place your figure. In the lower cell add your figure
caption. Your figure should be of a size where all labels are legible. Your caption needs
to give a quick and concise description of the figure but should NOT include additional
information that is not mentioned in the body of the report.
Figure 1: This is a sample figure caption
For neatness, remove the border walls:
Figure 1: This is a sample figure caption
Another example of a properly formatted figure is illustrated in Figure 2 illustrating how
multiple plots can be contained in one figure environment.
50
Bernoulli
Mass Flow
Velcoity [m/s]
45
40
35
90% Setting
30
25
60% Setting
Local Area[m2]
20
0.10
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
0
10
s1
20
s2 s3 s4
30
40
s7
s6
s5
50
s8
60
s9
70
80
s11
s10
90
s12
Flow Direction
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
s [cm]
Figure 2: This is a sample figure caption
Tables
Tables can be set up in a similar fashion with the only difference that the table caption is
to be placed above the table. Just like with the figures, your caption needs to give a
quick and concise description of the table but should NOT include additional
information that is not mentioned in the body of the report.
Table 1: Locations of Pitot and static pressure tap stations
Citing/Referencing
When you cite a reference (book, article, webpage, etc.) use the form as follows:
“Equation 1 was derived in class from the Bernoulli equation [4].”
Citing in a figure or table caption is to follow the same format (used if image or data in
table is taken from another source):
Figure 1: Illustration of hydrostatic experiment [4].
When referencing a table, figure or equation within your report ALWAYS use a leading
capital letter:
“The velocity relation in Equation 1 was derived from the Bernoulli equation in class [4].”
“Data in Table 1 is needed to plot the x-distribution of the measured static pressure
distribution.”
“An experiment to study hydrostatic forces is illustrated in Figure 1.”
DELETE THESE FIRST FIVE PAGES AND USE THE FOLLOWING
FORMAT FOR YOUR REPORT (Remove any text in color!!!!)
TITLE PAGE OF LAB REPORT
Course Number and Name:
Semester and Year:
Name of Team Leader:
Name of Lab Instructor:
Lab Section and Meeting Time:
Experiment Number:
Title of Experiment:
Date of Experiment Performed:
Instructor Comments:
Date of Report Submitted:
Names of Group Members:
Grade:
Abstract (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
Place your abstract here. This is a stand-alone summary of the report. Abstracts are
commonly encountered in electronic library databases. The primary function of the
abstract is to allow the reader to obtain an understanding of what the report is about
and what was accomplished. *Tips
The abstract should answer the following questions:
 What is the objective of the experiment?
 Why is this objective significant?
 What type of experiment is performed to achieve the objective?
 What are the major results of the experiment?
 What conclusions can be made from these results?
The abstract should never be more than one page long and should not include any
references to the body of the report.
Tips: From this abstract, the reader can make an informed decision as to whether or not
the report applies to what they are researching or what they are interested in. The
reader can then decide whether or not to devote more time to reading the full report.
Keep abstract on 1 page! Start introduction on next.
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Nomenclature (new page)
Copy these three tables and fill in the symbols used in your report. Units of respective unit is to
be displayed in square brackets. If no unit (like with Reynolds’ number, use [-]). The symbol is to
match the exact symbol font and size used in your equation. Use the same equation editor you
used to create your equation in Word (or equivalent). Use the “$A$” inline command for LaTEX.
Latin
𝐴
𝑑
𝐷
𝑔
𝐿
Re
Area [m2]
Orifice diameter [m]
Pipe inside diameter [m]
Gravitational constant [m/s2]
Pipe length [m]
Reynolds’ number [-]
𝜌
𝜇
Density [kg/m3]
Viscosity [kg/(s-m)]
Greek
Subscripts
𝑎𝑡𝑚 Atmospheric
𝑒
Entrance
𝑖
Inlet
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1. Objective and Introduction (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
Place your objective and introduction here. State the objective clearly in a complete
sentence. A few explanatory sentences may be included, if needed.
1.1 Objective
The objective should answer the question: What is the experiment designed to
determine?
1.2 Introduction
The introduction must start in a separate paragraph; it provides explanation of the
engineering problem. It explains the significance as well as any significant background
information of the problem.
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2. Theory and Experimental Method (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
2.1 Theory
The theory should explain all equations, theoretical principles, and assumptions that are
used in the experiment and the analysis. The primary purpose of the theory section is to
show how the raw data is manipulated to become results. Relevant equations used are
to be presented and described to illustrate their basis and origin. This section should
include diagrams where needed. Define all variables used in the equations. Write
equations using an equation writer in a word processor and maintain same font size
with body text.
2.2 Experimental Set-up
The experimental methods should give a detailed description in your own words of how
YOU accomplished the experimentation. *Tips This should include equipment used in
the experiment as well as how it was used. The description should have sufficient detail
so that another experimenter could duplicate your efforts.
Use sketches, diagrams or photos, to describe the experimental set-up. Label the main
components. Provide dimensions and material of test samples where applicable.
The equipment listing in the Appendices is the appropriate place for model numbers
and serial numbers. In this section, it is adequate to use generic names for the
equipment, e.g., the fluid network apparatus.
Tips: Any information copied directly or verbatim from Lab manual or other references
should stated within quotes and referred, otherwise, it is considered plagiarism.
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3. Results and Discussion (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
3.1 Results
Place your results and discussion here. This is the most important part of the report.
Summarize your results in the introductory sentence. Relate your results to your
objective. Present the results in the easiest way for your reader to understand: graphs,
tables, figures, etc. Spreadsheets are often an ideal tool for organizing the data,
analyzing the data, and generating graphs and tables. All tables and figures should be
accompanied by comments or discussions in the text of report; use a numbering system
for identification of each one. All figures and tables must have numbers and captions.
While the table captions should be placed over the table, figure captions should be
placed below the figure.
Calculations and formulas are not presented in this section. Your calculations should be
detailed in the Appendices under SAMPLE CALCULATIONS. Formulas should be
discussed in the THEORY section.
3.2 Discussion
Explain the results of the experiment, comment on the shapes of the curves, compare
obtained results with expected results, give probable reasons for discrepancies from the
theory, answer any questions outlined in the instructions and solve any problems that
my have been presented. Tell why things happened, not only that they did happen.
3.3 Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis
Experimental errors and uncertainties should be discussed here. All final form
uncertainty equations will be listed here with their respective derivations worked out in
the Appendix. Also, a sensitivity analysis will be performed and discussed here to
determine where the largest error sources are coming from.
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4. Conclusions (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
Place your conclusions here. State your discoveries, judgments and opinions from the
results of this experiment. Make recommendations for further study. Suggest ways to
improve the results of this experiment. *Tips
Tips: Consider that in the real world, after graduation, upper management is very likely
to read only your RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS. Beyond that, the chances are that only
your figures will be skimmed. Make the most of these sections.
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References (new page)
Place your references here. Itemize any books, publication or websites that you
referenced in compiling your report. Provide authors, publisher, date of publication,
page number, etc. *Tips
Tips: Follow the standard format for typing a reference:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Little, P., and Cardenas, M., “Use of Studio Methods in the Introductory
Engineering Design Curriculum,” Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 90, No. 3,
2001, pp. 309-318.
Nunally, J., Psychometric Theory, 2nd ed., New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 1978.
Lister, B., “Next Generation Studio: A New Model for Interactive Learning,”
www.ciue.rpi.edu/pdfs/nextGenStudio.pdf.
J. M. Meyers, “Hydrostatics Lecture Notes,” ME 123, Mechanical Engineering Fluid
Dynamics Laboratory, University of Vermont, Fall 2013.
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APPENDICES (new page)
[Primary Contributor: ; Secondary Contributors: ]
A1. Data Tables
A2. Sample Calculations
A3. Equipment List
A4. Raw Data Sheets
A5. Derivation of Uncertainty Relations
Any additional material can be added as need in extra appendix sections
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A1. Data Tables (new page)
Place your data tables here. Data tables are for the convenience of the extremely
interested reader. These tables may contain any additional comparisons or calculations
that you have prepared. RESULTS may contain only summaries of your work. Data
Tables are the place to show everything that you did.
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A2. Sample Calculations (new page)
Place your sample calculations here. Demonstrate how you performed the calculations
made in the experiment. Include tabular results of computations where such are made.
Show the generic calculations to support all your work. Provide any computer or
calculator program listings, along with sample input and output. Use equation writer in
Microsoft Word or neatly write the equations by hand. Final derived equations will be
listed in the body of your report at the appropriate location.
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A3. Equipment List (new page)
Place your equipment list here. Every piece of equipment used in the experiment
should be listed.
Unique identification numbers should be provided, when possible. (i.e. the FlowTek
Wind Tunnel’s proper name and model number… not just “Wind tunnel”)
The accuracy and/or the readability of the instruments should be given.
Specimens are not equipment.
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A4. Raw Data Sheets (new page)
Attach your raw data sheets to the end of the report. Data sheets must be completed in
ink and signed by the instructor at the completion of the laboratory period.
In the case of an error, simply line through the mistake, initial the mistake, and continue.
The name of the recorder and the group members should be indicated on the raw data
sheets.
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A5. Derivation of Uncertainty Relations (new page)
Show your derivation of uncertainty equation(s) here.
The final form(s) are to be placed in the discussion section of your report where you are
discussing your uncertainty analysis.
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PARTICIPATION INFORMATION (new page)
In this section information on the contributions of each team member must be
summarized.
This is not equivalent to handing in the peer evaluation forms!
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PEER AND SELF EVALUATIONS
For all group reports, each student must fill out the peer and self evaluation form and
submit it to the lab instructor separately from the report.
These are not a part of the report itself.
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