Issue 31

Fracture and Structural Integrity, 31 (2015); ISSN 1971-9883 IV Fracture mechanics in Portugal ear Friend, this issue is focused on the research activities on fracture mechanics and structural integrity in Portugal. It is a pleasure to warmly acknowledge our guest editors, Abílio Manuel Pinho de Jesus and Manuel de Freitas, for their help and their efforts: seven very interesting papers offer an overview of the intense research activities on fracture mechanics and structural integrity in this wonderful country. Just a few words about the next IGF activities in 2015. First of all, IGF will organize two workshops in Urbino on two important topics: - Characterization of Crack Tip Fields , april 20-22, 2015 - Challenges in Multiaxial Fatigue , april 22-24, 2015 In addition, IGF will organize the XXIII National IGF Conference - 1 st International Edition (June 22-24, 2015). All our friends from all over the world are warmly invited to join us and participate to this conference that will be held in the little but wonderful island of Favignana (near Sicily). The official language of the event will be English and proceedings will be published on Procedia Engineering (abstract deadline: 28/02/2015. Submission procedure is published in the IGF website). Looking forward to meeting you soon, Francesco Iacoviello F&IS Chief Editor D