Piezometer

A piezometer is an instrument for measuring high mechanical (usually hydrostatic ) pressures. The name derives from the Greek word πιέζειν ( German: press ) from.

Operation

During the measurement of high pressures usually a sensor based on the piezo effect or electrostriction is used, one used in the inspection of pipes and in Geotechnics ( in boreholes, beds and foundations ) instruments that detect the dishing of a membrane which the is subjected to pressure to be measured.

Between the membrane and the sensor housing is a taut wire is vibrated by electrical pulses applied to vibrate. Measured parameter is the resonance frequency, which depends on the mechanical wire tension and thus the curvature of the membrane from the ambient pressure.

Applications

The piezometer was constructed for the first time in 1820 by the Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted.

Langguth & Voigt describe different methods in which a piezometer is used to determine the permeability coefficient of an aquifer.