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Joint organization of IFMASS of South-East European countries, under the auspice
of the European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS) could be considered as the first step
in founding the regional Forum for Structural Integrity of South-East European coun-
tries. Recently, at the regional meeting, held in Belgrade, the cooperation in this region
is strongly recommended by the governments and encouraged by European Union.
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. All participants wish to contribute in more close and extended cooperation
between the experts in the region, with a 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 the European
Structural Integrity Society (ESIS).
The aim of the Forum for Structural Integrity shall 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, the formal organization can also help in proposing standards and codes of
interest for the regional industry, regarding the safety and reliability of equipment,
having in mind also the environmental protection. This kind of regional cooperation is
broadly accepted and involved in Europe.
We wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Serbian Ministry of Science
and Environmental Protection, and through the National Project No.1793 (2002–2004):
‘Fracture and Damage Mechanics’.
Belgrade, June 2004
Stojan Sedmak and Zoran Radaković