def read_file_info(filename):
    """
    Read an info file.

    Parameters
    ----------
    filename : string
        The name of file with cross-sectional area and length information.

    Returns
    -------
    info : dict
        The values of cross-sectional area and length of the specimens,
    """
    fd = open(filename, 'r')
    info = {}
    for line in fd:
        if line and (not line.isspace()) and (line[0] != '#'):
            key, val = line.split()
            info[key] = float(val)
    fd.close()
    return info