A substantial benchtop device for studying stress and strain in a pressure-filled cylinder with thin walls. A cylinder with narrow walls is positioned between two support blocks. Internal pistons and seals produce oil sealing. Using a handwheel at one end, the apparatus's cylinder end conditions can be switched from open to closed. The device has a hydraulic hand pump for adjusting the internal pressure. An analogue pressure gauge displays the internal pressure, and a pressure transducer feeds feedback to the Data Acquisition Interface and Software. Strain gauges are affixed to the exterior of the cylinder to measure the radial and circumferential surface strain. The strain gauges can be positioned at various angles.