Experimental techniques and design in composite materials (ETDCM6)

This special issue contains a selection of the papers presented at the sixth international seminar on Experimental Techniques and Design in Composite Materials (ETDCM6), which was held at the University of Padova in June 2003. The series ETDCM began in 1992 as an occasion for friends and colleagues doing research and design with composite materials, to get together and discuss about the latest developments in materials, advances in experimental techniques and new design methodologies. As for the previous editions held in Cagliari and Sheffield, the Seminar received the enthusiastic attention of many researchers and scientists both from academia and industry, as witnessed by more than seventy papers which were presented and discussed during the three days of the Seminar. Four keynote lectures focused the attention of the participants on subjects of topical interest like nanocomposites, impact, durability and fatigue design. Special thanks are due to the keynote speakers, namely, professors Tsu-Wei Chou, Pierluigi Priolo, Karl Schulte and Ramesh Talreja for their excellent and comprehensive talks. The papers selected for publication provide a good indication of the conference themes and also a wide coverage of the most important topics in the design of composite structures currently under the attention of scientific community and industry. I really do hope that this issue can be of help to scientists and researchers interested in knowing the latest advances in design methodology, materials and testing but could also provide preliminary guidelines and useful suggestions to the designers who are going to use composites in their applications. Grateful thanks are expressed to all the Authors, the Members of the Scientific and Organising Committees and the Colleagues who agreed to serve as reviewers for their invaluable contribution to the success of the Seminar.