About ESIS

European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS)

ESIS is an organization of European experts concerned with research and development in the area of the fracture of materials. Its membership takes in most European countries and its formal aims are defined as follows:

  • to foster research in the mechanics and mechanisms of fracture phenomena for possible amendments and development of design methods to prevent fracture and for assessment and development of fracture-resistant materials
  • to promote European co-operation between scientists and engineers in the field of reliability of structures and integration of the many disciplines involved in such research
  • to provide means whereby results of such efforts may be publicly communicated.

These aims are achieved by organizing conferences, symposia and seminars and by forming Technical Committees for specific tasks.

Technical Committee 4 (ESIS-TC4) on Polymers and Composites

ESIS-TC4 was set up in 1985. It is at present led by Joint Chairmen, Professors J. G. Williams (Imperial College, London) and A. Pavan (Politecnico di Milano) and holds twice yearly meetings at Les Diablerets, Switzerland. The activities of ESIS-TC4 have centred on the development and standardization of techniques for the determination of fracture mechanics parameters for polymeric materials.

Major tasks considered previously were to develop standards for Kc & Gc testing of polymers, composites and adhesives under both quasi-static and impact loading conditions and the “J” testing of ductile polymers. Standards developed in this early work have now progressed to full ISO standards.

Activities have moved on to consider the development of methods and standards for multi-directional and cross-ply laminates, structural adhesive joints via either LEFM or EPFM test specimens and for fatigue and very high speed fracture in polymers. The development of the “essential work of fracture” test and the “Jc” test for polymers is ongoing, and work on a new “reversed Charpy” test devised to measure energy dissipated during the ductile tearing of polymers has started.

Most recently, methods to characterize high speed fracture in short fibre composites and in continuous fibre laminates have become new work areas.

Technical Committee Meeting

The Conference will be followed by a one and a half day meeting, finishing at 12 noon on 16 September 2005, of the TC4 Scientific Committee who are organizing the conference.

Conference delegates are most welcome to attend this meeting, and should make arrangements directly with the hotel to extend their period of accommodation. Those interested in attending are asked to contact Dr Bamber Blackman, TC4 Secretary at
(Delegates are reminded not to email credit card information in any circumstances.)

Sponsoring Journal Link to: Engineering Fracture Mechanics journal page (opens in new window)

 

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