A heavy bench top unit for studying the stress and strain in a thin-walled cylinder under internal pressure. A thin-walled cylinder is mounted between two support blocks. Internal pistons and seals create oil sealing. A handwheel at one end of the apparatus enables the cylinder end conditions to be adjusted to either open or closed.

The internal pressure is adjusted by means of a hydraulic hand pump on the apparatus. An analogue pressure gauge displays the internal pressure whilst a pressure transducer gives feedback to the Data Acquisition Interface and Software supplied. Strain gauges are arranged on the external surface of the cylinder to measure the radial and circumferential surface strain. The strain gauges are at various angles.