As fatigue and fracture mechanics approaches are used more often for determining the useful life and/or inspection intervals for complex structures, realization sets-in that all factors are not well known or characterized. Indeed, inherent scatter exists in initial material quality and in material performance. Furthermore, projections of component usage in determination of applied stresses are inexact at best and are subject to much discrepancy between projected and actual usage. Even the models for predicting life contain inherent sources of error based on assumptions and/or empirically fitted parameters. All of these factors need to be accounted for to determine a distribution of potential lives based on combination of the aforementioned variables, as well as other factors. The purpose of this symposium was to create a forum for assessment of the state-of-the-art in incorporating these uncertainties and inherent scatter into systematic probabilistic methods for conducting life assessment.

This book presents an experimentally validated probabilistic strength theory of structures made of concrete, composites, ceramics and other quasibrittle materials.

Structures that are essential for economy and security such as energy production, transportation and supply, water supply, buildings, are susceptible to failure, because of defects already present in the material, or created at fabrication, or appearing during service. Methods of assesment of the nocivity of these defects are needed, to predict the remaining service life and the eventual emergency of stopping service and repairing, if possible. To reach this objectives, this book presents the last methods derived from the classical linear, non-linear fracture mechanics concepts, including fatigue and notch fracture mechanics. Several examples of structures rehabilitations and repairing are given. This book gathers the presentation made during the Advanced Research Workshop held in Portoroz (Slovenia) in October 2008, under the auspices of NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. It is edited by Professor Guy Pluvinage from the University Paul Verlaine – Metz (France) and Professor Aleksandar Sedmak from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Both have a long and rich experience in analysis of theoretical and practical cases in safety and reliability of structures. Other contributors are all known as experts in the areas of fatigue, facture and reliability of structures.

KEY FEATURES: - Provides researchers in Ocean engineering with a thorough review of the latest research in the field - Lengthy reports by leading experts - A valuable resource for all interested in ocean engineering DESCRIPTION:The International Ship and Offshore Congress (ISSC) is a forum for the exchange of information by experts undertaking and applying marine structural research. These three volumes contain the eight technical committee reports, six Specialist Committee and 2 Special Task Committee reports which were presented for the 15th International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress (ISSC 2004) in San Diego USA, between 11th and 15th August 2003. Volume III will be published in 2004 and is to contain the discussion of the reports, the chairmen's reply, the text of the invited Lecture and the congress report of ISSC 2003.