Advances in the field of material science have resulted in the improvement of existing materials and the development of new materials. Most material branches of engineering, particularly, those involved in the design and construction of new mechanical or structural elements, depend on the results of mechanical tests for measurements of material properties.
For accurate analysis and use of test data, it is important that engineers, even those not engaged in actual testing work, process and general knowledge of common test methods and an understanding of the applicability, advantages, and limitations of a given test procedure. This course is intended to provide such an understanding; in it is detailed the maturing technical development of mechanical testing.