Universal Calibration Device for Pressure Transducer Calibration

Abstract

Measurement of pressure using earth pressure transducer or pore pressure transducer is crucial task in experimental geomechanics. Calibration of transducers is very important and would give an idea about actual stresses at the point of measurement. In absence of such relationship, interpretation of data obtained using transducers is questionable. Present study describes details of indigenously developed universal pressure transducer calibration device developed by modifying conventional triaxial apparatus. Calibration of earth pressure transducers with 6.5mm and 40mm and pore pressure transducer with 5mm diameter have been performed using the device. Control over applied pressure is achieved by applying cell pressure through pneumatic constant pressure system of triaxial set up with an accuracy of 0.1 kPa. The data is acquired using data acquisition system (cDAQ) which showed linearity with the pressure applied for loading, unloading and repeated loading cycles. Calibration constants are obtained for earth pressure transducers and pore-pressure transducer.