Material Identification Using Mixed Numerical Experimental Methods: Proceedings of the Euromech Colloquium Held in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, 7 - 9 April 1997

Euromech 357 took place in the nice authentic monastery 'Rolduc' in Kerkrade, Holland. The objective was to bring together researchers to present their latest advancements in the relatively new domain of Material properties identification by Mixed Numerical Experimental Methods (MMM). MMM are a modem and increasingly powerful way to determine the values of unknown parameters in a numerical model by observations made on real physical test structures. Starting from the measurement of output values (like displacements, stresses, velocities, vibrations, .. ) of the real physical test structure, MMM try to update parameters in the numerical model in such a way that the computed observations match the experimental observations. It was shown clearly at the colloquium that the combined use of numerical analysing tools and sophisticated measurement techniques has created an extra degree of freedom for the design of experiments and has led to new approaches for material characterisation. The colloquium was attended by 39 participants coming from 12 different European countries. We had 23 oral presentations on the different topics of the above mentioned sessions. Each presentation was followed by an intensive discussion. Du~ to the informal atmosphere and the limited number of participants, the discussions were very lively and fruitful. The opportunity to continue to discuss common problems after dinner in a reserved place was also offered to the Euromech participants. This opportunity and the fact that the monastery was isolated (nobody could escape!) created an excellent platform for discussions and personal contacts.