Extended versions of selected papers submitted at the Iberian Conference on Fracture and Structural Integrity (CIFIE'2010) conference are included in this special issue of the International Journal of Structural Integrity. The conference brought together researchers and professionals, who during three days, shared their knowledge and experience in such fields as analytical and numerical methods; case studies of fracture, fatigue and durability; durability of structures; experimental techniques; fatigue of materials and structures; deformation and fracture of materials (metallic alloys, ceramics, composites, polymeric and bio) and interaction with the environment.

This special collection of 59 peer-reviewed papers covers topics related to the fracture and fatigue of all types of materials and structures, including biological tissues, metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and thin films. This wide range of coverage will make this work of interest to those studying almost any sort of material.

The aim of this major reference work is to provide a first point of entry to the literature for the researchers in any field relating to structural integrity in the form of a definitive research/reference tool which links the various sub-disciplines that comprise the whole of structural integrity. Special emphasis will be given to the interaction between mechanics and materials and structural integrity applications. Because of the interdisciplinary and applied nature of the work, it will be of interest to mechanical engineers and materials scientists from both academic and industrial backgrounds including bioengineering, interface engineering and nanotechnology. The scope of this work encompasses, but is not restricted to: fracture mechanics, fatigue, creep, materials, dynamics, environmental degradation, numerical methods, failure mechanisms and damage mechanics, interfacial fracture and nano-technology, structural analysis, surface behaviour and heart valves. The structures under consideration include: pressure vessels and piping, off-shore structures, gas installations and pipelines, chemical plants, aircraft, railways, bridges, plates and shells, electronic circuits, interfaces, nanotechnology, artificial organs, biomaterial prostheses, cast structures, mining... and more. Case studies will form an integral part of the work.

The current special issue contains papers presented at the 3rd International Conference of engineering Against Failure (ICEAF-III), which took place during the period 26-28 of June 2013. The Conference, co-organised by the Laboratory of Technology & Strength of Materials (University of Patras) and the Hellenic Metallurgical Society (HMS), was held under the auspices of FEMS (The Federation of European Materials Societies) and the EASN Association.