Book excerpt: The authors realized that there are currently no books in the marketplace that include sufficient solved examples, along with the ability to cover theories of experimental technique, in such a way as to promote self-teaching by the reader. The authors' objective is to allow the reader to review the materials before stepping into a laboratory situation. Chapters are written in a very concise, easily understandable manner and features the inclusion of ample solved equations, designed to test the understanding of featured topics. Chapter topics include: Stress, Strain, and Stress-Strain Relationships; Metal-Foil Resistance Strain Gages; Strain Gage Circuitry, Transducers, and Data Analysis; Photoelasticity; Photoelasticity-Coating Method; Geometric Moiré Techniques in Strain Analysis; Holographic Interferometry; and Computer Data Acquisition and Control Systems. For self-study in Experimental Stress Analysis.