This collection contains raw data and code for the research article "Topological barriers to defect nucleation generate large mechanical forces in an ordered fluid" to be published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS). The mechanical response of a cholesteric liquid crystal film with planar anchoring conditions was investigated using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). The film showed a strongly asymmetric response during compression and dilation. Notably, very large repulsive forces were generated during compression. The asymmetry was explained using a simple model of elastic deformation including line tension of dislocation defects, reminescent of nucleation theory in first order phase transitions.