PSI - Issue 10

Stavros K. Kourkoulis et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 10 (2018) 1–2 S. K. Kourkoulis and D. Triantis / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2018) 000 – 000

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The GSEMM is already representing Greece in the European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS). The members of GSEMM encompass a unique group of experimentalists, development engineers, design engineers, test engineers and technicians, and research and development scientists from industry and educational institutions. According to its Statutes the GSEMM aims at production, promotion, gathering and dissemination of scientific knowledge on matters related to the field of Experimental Mechanics of Materials. Moreover, it aims at training, education and know-how transfer at all levels concerning Experimental Mechanics of Materials. In order to achieve its goals the GSEMM intends to: • Organize national and international scientific conferences and workshops. • Organize schools and seminars in the direction of training young scientists on subjects related to experimental research techniques. • Contribute in the organization of post-graduate courses in fields related to Experimental Mechanics of Materials. • Disseminate and promote the scientific work and achievements of its members. Provide to its members information concerning research directions of high priority for the development of the country. • Participate in the implementation of national and international research projects. • Promote collaboration between Greek and international scientific societies of similar scope. • Become member of European and international scientific associations of similar statutory purposes. In this direction, the GSEMM organized its “ 1 st International Conference of the Greek Society of Experimental Mechanics of Materials ” (Athens, May 10 -12, 2018). In this first Conference, organized under the aegis of ESIS, more than 100 articles were submitted for consideration, out of which 78 were finally accepted by the scientific committee for presentation, on the basis of their scientific soundness and the relevance of their content to Experimental Mechanics of Materials. The extended two-page abstracts of the papers accepted were published both electronically and, also, in a hard-copy volume (ISSN 2623-3541). The present special issue of “Procedia Structural Integrity” is an attempt to further disseminate the scientific papers presented during the “ 1 st International Conference of the Greek Society of Experimental Mechanics of Materials” . It is believed that this issue provides a comprehensive overview of the research work implemented in Greece in the field of Experimental Mechanics of Materials. In addition, it contains indicative contributions coming from abroad (such as, for example, UK, USA, Russia). All papers submitted were reviewed by two independent reviewers and finally forty four (44) papers were accepted to be included in this issue, again on the basis of their scientific soundness. The papers cover a wide scientific area of Experimental Mechanics of Materials, ranging from concrete and rock materials to metals and polymers. Papers dealing with novel sensing techniques, corrosion and degradation, experimental biomechanics, mechanical properties and simulation of materials used in restoration/conservation of monuments of Cultural Heritage are, also, included in this issue. Moreover, papers are included dealing with design and implementation of novel or improved experimental protocols, in the direction of characterizing materials, structures and systems. The editors would like to sincerely thank the reviewers of the papers. Their work guarantees the high scientific level of this issue. A special “thank you” goes to the Secretary of the GSEMM Board of Directors, Dr. Ermioni Pasiou, for taking excellent care of the final editing of the manuscripts. Based on the experience gathered during the “ 1 st International Conference of the Greek Society of Experimental Mechanics of Materials ” , and the full support of the European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS), it is anticipated that the next conference of GSEMM ( “ 2 nd International Conference of the Greek Society of Experimental Mechanics of Materials ” ) will appear as an important event in the forum of international scientific conferences, with significant contributions from many researchers from different countries, focusing on critical areas of special interest to re searchers and design engineers working in all areas of Structural Dynamics, Solid Mechanics and Materials Research.

Athens, August 2018

Stavros K. Kourkoulis Dimos Triantis