First International Fracture Mechanics Summer School (IFMASS 1) "Introduction to fracture mechanics and fracture-safe design" had been organized in 1980 by Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade and GOŠA Institute, Smederevsska Palanka on the initiative of Prof. Michael Wnuk (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee), and Prof. Stojan Sedmak (Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade). It happened that Prof. Wnuk was the guest of Prof. S. Sedmak at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy for his sabbatical in 1980, and by the end of the visit he proposed to organize IFMASS 1. The School attracted 63 participants, and 20 lectures, followed by one invited discussion had been presented. IFMASS 1 staff included 6 lecturers from abroad:
Prof. M. Wnuk (2 lectures), Dr. M. Ratwani - Northrop Co, U.S.A (5 lectures), Prof. A. Mazur – Academy of Minning and Metallurgy, Krakow (2 lectures), Doc. J. Orkish – Technical University, Krakow, Doc. A. Javorski, Technical Faculty, Warszaw, Dr. A. Neimitz, Technical University, Kielce, and
7 lecturers from Yugoslavia:
Prof. A. Radović, Military Technical Institute, Belgrade (2 lectures), Prof. Lj. Nedeljković, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Dr. M. Berković, Aircracft Technical Institute, Belgrade, Prof. J. Pirš, Technical Faculty, Rijeka, Prof. S. Sedmak, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Doc. J. Jarić, Faculty of Scences, Belgrade, prof. M. Radojković, Civil Engineering Faculty, Belgrade,
and invited discussion had been given by Đ. Dobi, Steelworks Ravne.
The industry strongly supported the organization of IFMASS 1 and the basic budget had been obtained by GOŠA Holding Co and its Institute. This was the time of penstock construction of Bajina Bašta pumping-up hydroelectrical power plant. The most stressed part of the penstock has been constructed of SUMITEN 80P steel (SM 80P weldable steel of 700 MPa nominal yield stress). The experience with welding of this class of steel was not sufficient, and the fracture resistance of SM 80P steel and its weldments was not properly defined. This situation explains the interest of industry for fracture mechanics, that is confirmed by number of participants to IFMASS 1. The monograph, entitled as IFMASS 1, has been published in Serbian. Thanks to the support of this kind, fracture mechanics has been introduced in local industry broadly, as this can be concluded from the presentation given in a monograph about fracture mechanics development in the word, edited by G. Sih in 1981.
The demand from industry supported the organization of IFMASS 2 "Modern aspects of design and construction of pressure vessels and penstocks", 1982, IFMASS 3 "Fracture mechanics of weldments", 1984, IFMASS 4 "Prospective of fracture mechanics development and application", 1986, with continuously increased number of participants and extended number of lecturers, both from abroad and from Yugoslavia. The round table discussions and significant number of participants, presented by invited young experts from Yugoslavia, contributed to the extended introduction of fracture mechanics to its practical application for structural integrity assessment. Monographs, published in Serbian after each IFMASS, also contributed to extended application of fracture mechanics. The next School, IFMASS 5, "The application of fracture mechanics to residual life assessment of thermoelectrically power plant components" had been organized in 1989. This was the biggest IFMASS, with 142 participants, the monograph has been published in English, and only shortened version in Serbian.
So, five IFMASS"s had been organized in eighties of the past century. It is to mention that in time period 1982-1992, joint Yugoslav – U.S. research project "Fracture mechanics of weldments" had been realized, with contribution of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from U.S.A. and six research&development institutions from Yugoslavia.
Unhappy events, started by secession of Slovenia from Yugoslavia in the days of IFMASS 6 ("Service cracks in pressure vessels and storage tanks" organized in June 1991), reduced the activities in fracture mechanics, and consequently the IFMASS. The IFMASS 6 monograph had been published three years later, in 1994. Next three years passed before it was possible to organize next, IFMASS 7 "Experimental and numerical methods of fracture mechanics" in 1997. Again, the activities had been stopped due to NATO aggression on our country in 1998, and the monograph has been published in the year 2000.
The appearance of the IFMASS 7 monograph revealed the possibility to continue the activity in fracture mechanics, accounting for critical situation with the equipment in local industry, especially destroyed and damaged by NATO bombardment, and necessity to assess structural integrity of equipment. The experts from Serbia & Montenegro, previously engaged in IFMASS, decided to organized the Society for structural integrity and life (DIVK) in 2001. New established DIVK journal "Structural integrity and life" also attracted many experts to contribute in this area. After consolidation of DIVK, the renew of IFMASS had been required by the members. On the other hand, new situation in South-Eastern Europe offered the possibility the experts from regional countries to take part in IFMASS. After consideration, the experts from our country, Bulgaria and Greece, decided to organize jointly next IFMASS.
The IFMASS 8 had been supported by Ministry for Science, Technologies and Development and Ministry for Urban Planning and Construction of Gouverment of Serbia, GOŠA FOM, Institute for Material Testing, Company NBGH –ŽIKS HARD and Company Zwick – Roell.
Prof. Dr. Dragan Domazet, Minister of Science, Technolgies and Development, opened IFMASS 8.

Previous seven International Fracture Mechanics Summer Schools (IFMASS) had been organized from 1980, the last one took place in 1997. After that, there was no possibility to organize IFMASS, due to well known situation in former Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, in 2001 the Society for Structural Integrity and Life (DIVK) has been established in Belgrade. The DIVK members had been the organizers and participants in previous IFMASS. The success of previously organized IFMASS and its importance motivated DIVK to continue with IFMASS 8 in 2003. On the meetings, held during 14th European Conference on Fracture (ECF 14) in September 2002 in Cracow, with the participation of Prof. L. Toth (Hungary), the chairman of ESIS Comission TC13: Education and Training , Prof. E. Gdoutos (Greece), Prof. D. Angelova (Bulgaria) and Prof. S. Sedmak  (Srbija) it has been decided to organize IFMASS 8 for South-Eastern European countries.
The title ²From Fracture Mechanics to Structural Integrity Assessment² enables to review the development and practical application of fracture mechanics. The participants can be acquainted with structural integrity problems in different stages (design and material selection, man­u­facturing and quality assurance, service, maintenance, repair) through the lectures, selected for the program.
Joint organization of IFMASS of South-Eastern Europe countries, under the auspece of European Structural Integrity Society  (ESIS) could be considered as the first step in founding the regional Forum for Structural Integrity of South–Eastern European Countries. Recently, at the regional meeting, held in Belgrade, the cooperation in this region is strongly recommended by the gouverments and encouraged by European Union. The organizers of the Forum can account in future with the help of gouvermental institutions and of European Union.

Scientific Advisory Board

Organizing Committee

Registration fee:
· 150 EUR
· 100 EUR for ESIS members, 50 EUR for students
Accomodation
The accomodation is awailable in the hotels in the vicinity of  City Hall at prices 25 to 60 Euro.
For further information please visit our web site: divk.org.yu or contact:
Mr. Ljubica Milović and Dr. Marko Rakin
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy
Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Beograd, Serbia
Tel. + 381 11 337 0 391
Fax. + 381 11 337 0 387
E- mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Prof. Dr. Stojan Sedmak
Society for Structural Integrity and Life (DIVK)
11000 Beograd, Milana Rakića 35, Serbia
Tel. +381 11 413 332 ,+ 381 11 413 422
Fax. + 381 11 410 977
E -mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1. J. Jarić, A. Sedmak: "Physical and mathematical aspects of fracture mechanics"
2.  E.  Gdoutos: " Fracture mechanics under mixed -mode loading"
3.  M. Wnuk: "Enhancement of fracture toughness due to energy screening effect in the early stages of non-elastic failure"
4.  D. Krajčinović, D. Šumarac: "Basic principles of damage mechanics"
5.  A. Radović, N. Radović: " A contribution of fracture mechanics to material design"
6.  R. Nikolić, J. Veljković: ‘Interfacial cracks ‘
7.  D. Angelova: "Basic fatigue conceptions and new approaches to fatigue failure"
8.  V. Grabulov: "Static and impact tests (tensile, drop weight, explosion bulge) and result analysis"
9.  G. Lenkey: "Charpy impact testing and its application in fracture mechanics"
10. J.Landes: "Development of experimental testing of crack behavior"
11.  S. Sedmak, Z. Burzić: "Fracture mechanics standard testing"
12.  K. Gerić, I. Blačić: "Fractographic analysis"
13.  V. Šijački-Žeravčić: "In-service failure of structures: examples"
14.  P. Agatonović: "Fracture case studies – basic principles"
15.  V.T.Troščenko: "Fracture toughness of metal under cyclic loading"
16.  L. Toth: "The role of fracture mechanics parameters in reliability assessment of engineering structures operating under different loading conditions"
17.  G. Pluvinage: "Fracture transferability problems and mesofracture"
18.  S. Vodeničarov: "Fracture testing in nuclear power stations"
19.  D. Dražić, B. Jegdić: "Corrosion and stress corrosion"
20.  T. Maneski: "Stress analysis for structural integrity assessment"
21.  Gui-Rong Liu: "Meshfree methods (in numerical analysis)"
22.  N. Gubeljak: "SINTAP-Structural INTegrity Assessment Procedure"
23.  M. Kojić, M. Živković: "Numerical programs for life assessment of thermoelectrical power plants"
24.  Karl-Heinz Schwalbe:"Structural assessment under elastic-plastic conditions with particular reference to mechanically heterogeneous structures"
25.  M. Ognjanović: "Reliability and safe service of structures"
26.  V. Gliha: "Prediction of fracture and fatigue properties of welds by simulated HAZ"

Realized program is slightly different from announced one. Due to unexpected problems, Prof. M. Wnuk and Prof. E. Gdoutos cancelled, so their lectures (2 and 3 from the announced list) had been omitted. Having in mind the general IFMASS 8 title, a new lecture is included (Nr 25).

The workshop had been organized as a satelite event after IFMASS 8, by Society for Structural Integrity and Life (DIVK), Belgrade Chamber of Economy, GOŠA Institute and Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy.
European Union (EU) and its institutions in many cases support the organization of  workshops, devoted to specific topics. Taking into account further cooperation in South-East Europe, supported by EU, and proposed establishment of Forum for Structural Integrity in this region, workshops can be convenient form for the cooperation. The Forum will organize the activity toward and on the benefit of the industry, as it is the case with Society for Structural Integrity and Life (DIVK) in Serbia and Montenegro. IFMASS 8 was the place for meeting of experts in structural integrity and fracture mechanics, not only from South-East Europe, offering the possibility to start with organization of workshops. Up to thirty experts in fracture mechanics and structural integrity assessment from all countries of the region are invited to take part in the Workshop.
The interess of practical application of fracture mechanics is extended in last years to many new sectors. Two of them are selected for this Wrokshop and the world known experts in the field are invited to present state of the art and govern the discussion:
Section A: Development of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)
Dr. Petar Agatonovic, Germany, will present the development of CMC for high temperature application, interesting for the advancement in space program. 
Section B:  Mesoscopic approach of mechanical properties of materials
Prof. Guy Pluvinage, University of Metz, Metz, France proposed European project under given title. It is assumed that after material science approach based on "micro to macro", future developments in material science in general, and of nano and multi materials in particular, need a new paradigm mainly based on mesoscopic approach, in order to solve the problem of transferability of mechanical properties.

1. Pashnjari Armand, Albania
2. Vukojevic Nedeljko, B&H
3. Posavljak Strain, B&H (Republika Srpska)
4. Prof. Angelova Donka, Bulgaria
5. Doc. Gočev Jovan, Macedonia
6. Petzek Edward, Romania
7. Gido Anca, Romania
8. Dr. Burzić Zijah, S&MN
9. Dr. Grabulov Vencislav, S&MN
10. Mr. Milović Ljubica, S&MN
11. Prof. Sedmak Stojan, S&MN
12. Prof. Katarina Gerić, S&MN
13. Prof. Nenad Radović, S&MN
14. Bedkowski Wlodimierz, Poland

The idea to establish the Forum for Structural Integrity for South-Eastern European Countries is explained in the Memorandum, accepted by representatives of counties participated in IFMASS 8.

The participants from Balkan and South-East European countries in Eight International Fracture Mechanics Summer School (IFMASS 8), held from 23rd to 27th June 2003, and at the Workshop New Trends in Fracture Mechanics Application, held on 27th June in Belgrade, gathered on the meeting after these events, discussed the achievements in development of fracture mechanics and its application to structural integrity assessment in the region. It is concluded that the organization of IFMASS 8 has shown:
- clear interest of the experts from the region in further development and research in structural integrity assessment;
- wish of all participants to contribute to more close and extended cooperation between the experts in the region; 
- the need to find convenient form for exchange of results in achievements in fracture mechanics and structural integrity assessment through better links between the countries in the region, as well as with European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS).
The aim of formal organization, e.g. in the form of Forum for Structural Integrity, can be to put together individuals, institutions and countries, interested in cooperative actions for further development of structural integrity, based on scientific achievements and solutions of failures in service and requirements for equipment life extension. In this way the benefit for all parties involved in such an organization can be reached in the most convenient way. In  addition, formal organization can also help in proposing standards and codes of interest for the regional industry, e.g. regarding the safety and reliability of equipments, having in mind also the environment protection. This kind of regional cooperation is broadly accepted and involved in Europe.
In order to prepare the proposal for establishing best form of future regional organization the committee of five members is selected, as follows:
Representative of Serbia  & Montenegro
Representative of Bulgaria
Representative of Macedonia
Representative of Albania
Representative of Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Committee shall prepare its proposal in next four months (up to November, 1st, 2003), in close contact with ESIS president Prof. Alberto Carpinteri and its office. The experts from the countries, not presented at the meeting, will be also invited to join this action (Croatia, Greece, Hungary).
International Fracture Mechanics Summer School (IFMASS) is considered as one of already established form of future cooperation. It is recommended to organize next School (IFMASS 9) in Bulgaria in 2004, together with Workshop as a satellite event.
The experts, taking part in this meeting, express their wish and readiness to help the committee in its activity and promote the proposal among the experts and institutions in their countries.

Albania
Pashnjari Armand
Affiliation: Technical University – Politechnics Tirana
Address: RR. Elbasanit 118 (GJUHET E HUAJA), Tirane, Albania

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vukojevic Nedeljko (Federation of BiH)
Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Faculty Zenica
Address: Fakultetska br. 1, 72000 Zenica, B&H
Posavljak Strain, M. Sc. (Republic Srpska)
Affiliation: Vazduhoplovni zavod "Orao", Research & Development Department, Head
Address: Šabaačkih đaka bb, 76300 Bijeljina, B&H

Bulgaria
Prof. Dr. Angelova Donka
Affiliation: University of Chemical Technology & Metallurgy
Address: Kl. Ohridski 8, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria

Macedonia
Prof. Dr. Gočev Jovan
Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Faculty Skopje
Address: Karpoš II bb, 11000 Skopje, Macedonia

Romania
Petzek Edward
Affiliation: Technical University, Politechnica Timisoara, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Department of Steel Structures
Address: Str. I. Curea Nr. 1, Ro-1900 Timisoara, Romania

Serbia and Montenegro
Prof. Dr Sedmak Stojan
Affiliation: Society for Structural Integrity and Life
Address: Milana Rakića 35, 11000 Beograd, Serbia


Slovenia
Doc. Dr. Gliha Vladimir
Affiliation: Faculteta za strojništvo Maribor
Address: Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Turkey
Murat Buyuk, M.Sc.
Affiliation: Gebze Institut of Technology, Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Address: Istanbul C. NO:101 Gebze – Kocaeli, Turkey