光弹性（英语：Photoelasticity）是某些透明材料（主要是塑料、玻璃、环氧树脂等非晶体）在承受载荷出现应变的状态下由各向同性变成各向异性并展现出对光的双折射的现象。基于这种材料性质发展出的描绘物体应力应变分布的试验物理学方法称为光测弹性学。相比于应力-应变的分析学方法（数学方法）的局限，光弹性法对于描绘复杂几何结构以及复杂载荷下的物体的应力应变尤其有效，即使对于材料的突然断裂处也能够给出相对准确的应力分布图像，是用于检测临界应力点和应力集中的重要方法。

Photoelasticity is an experimental method to determine the stress distribution in a material. The method is mostly used in cases where mathematical methods become quite cumbersome. Unlike the analytical methods of stress determination, photoelasticity gives a fairly accurate picture of stress distribution, even around abrupt discontinuities in materials. The method is an important tool for determining critical stress points in a material, and is used for determining stress concentration in irregular geometries.