Eighth International Conference on Computer Methods and Experimental Measurements for Surface and Contact Mechanics

 Overview

The Conference was held for the first time in Southampton in 1993, followed by Milano (1995); Oxford (1997); Assissi (1999); Seville (2001); Crete (2003); and Bologna (2005).  The Meeting is unique in encouraging interplay between applied physics, materials science, computational mechanics and mechanical engineering.

The combination of surface treatment and contact mechanics is an important one. The surface of a component is usually the most important engineering factor.  While it is in use, it is often the surface of a piece that is subjected to wear and corrosion.  The complexity of the tribological properties of the materials and the economic aspects of friction and wear justify an increased research effort.  The search is on for surface modification techniques which can increase the wear resistance of materials.

 Opening Address

The Conference was opened by Professor Brebbia who welcomed the delegates to WIT’s campus and explained the objectives of the Institute.  He also described some of the research projects currently being carried out by WIT and invited the delegates to contact the senior member of staff in charge of these projects.

WIT, Professor Brebbia stressed, acts as a focus for the exchange of knowledge at international level.  This is done through a series of training activities in conjunction with other institutions around the world.  WIT supports several such initiatives at international level including several Doctoral and Master training programmes.  

Another important activity is the research collaboration with other institutions in such programmes as those supported by the EU.  WIT, Professor Brebbia said, always welcomes participation in such programmes and would be happy to discuss future consortia with any of the colleagues attending Surface/Contact 2007.  

Amongst other topics, Professor Brebbia referred to the commitment of WIT to the solution of environmental and ecological problems as evidence by some of the projects the Institute is now undertaking.  Furthermore, more recently WIT has been involved in a series of trans-disciplinary activities, trying to bridge the current gap between physical sciences and humanities.  

The recently launched Patagonia Declaration is an example of this policy.  The Declaration was a product of the Conference held by the Institute in collaboration with the Universities of Rome and Siena, in Patagonia.  The meeting was called in order to highlight the environmental and ecological dangers faced by that region, as well as other parts of the developing world.  As a consequence of the Declaration a science advisory group is now being formed and Professor Brebbia invited the participants to join it.  The Group will provide scientific advice to communities and organisations in need.

 Keynote Address by Professor Jeff de Hosson

The keynote address was given by Professor Jeff de Hosson on the topic of Surfaces in Contact, highlighting the challenges and opportunities.  At the end of his presentation, Jeff presented current areas of research in surface mechanics.

 Conference Sessions

Following Jeff’s excellent keynote address there was a series of sessions dealing with the following topics:  

• Surface problems in contact mechanics
• Surface treatments
• Contact mechanics
• Thin coatings
• Fracture and fatigue
• Material surfaces in contact

 Invited Presentations

The invited presentations were as follows:  

• “Ionic migration behaviour in minute writing on flexible substrate”, by Y. Kimura, Kogakuin University, Japan
• “Numerical analysis of the physical phenomena in the working zone in the rolling process of the round thread”, by L. Kukielka, Koszlin University of Technology, Poland
• “Optimal shape of fibers in composite structure using inverse variational principles”, by P. Prochazka, Czech Technical University, Prague
• “Fatigue strength improvement by plastic surface deformation” by S-I Nishida, Saga University, Japan
• “Microstructural evolution of TiC/a-C nanocomposite coatings with pulsed magnetron sputtering”, by Y.T. Pei, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
• “Fatigue strength improvement of Ti alloy with DLC coating”, by N. Hattori, Gifa University, Japan

Prof Shin-Ichi Nishida of Saga University in Japan gave a keynote address on the topic Fatigue Strength Improvements.  The talk was based on a large number of experiments carried out in Shin-Ichi’s laboratory and produced some interesting results of how residual stresses affect the fatigue life of the pieces.

 ISAC Meeting

The International Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) met during the Conference to discuss reconvening the meeting in 2009.  A series of new topics were revised and it was decided to stress experimental techniques, including those involved in material characterisation and nanoscale tests.  Another important topic is experiments and simulation of indentation problems.  A list of new members for the ISAC was proposed and WIT was asked to investigate several possible locations in Europe for the 2009 Conference.

 Lunchtime Excursions

During one of the lunch breaks, participants visited Buckler’s Hard, a site of historical interest and most picturesque.  Ships were built there for nearly 100 years and launched directly into the Beaulieu River.  The place was established in 1722 and originally intended to be a trading post rather than a shipyard.  The idea was to process sugar imported from the West Indies.  A war versus the French foiled this attempt and it was decided to build ships instead.  At its height, there were five shipways and around 20 cottages which were to be the first of a future town.  Only two rows of cottages now remain with a broad village street separating them and sloping towards the river.  At the end of one now stands a hotel, which was the Master Builder’s home and one of the builder’s cottages is now a tiny chapel.  An excellent display at the entrance to the village describes the activities that took place there.  

Many fine modern ships were built there including the famous Agamemnon, commanded by Nelson during the siege of Calví in which he lost his right eye.  This ship, together with others built at Buckler’s Hard, took part in the Battle of Trafalgar.  Buckler’s Hard was a major ship-building centre in the area, with 53 ships being launched from there from 1740 to 1820.

 Conference Dinner

The Conference dinner took place at Rhinefield House, one of the most interesting buildings in the New Forest.  Although of comparatively recent construction, around 1890, the architecture follows the neo-gothic style of the time.  It is an impressive stone clad building with many unique features, including a beautiful main hall with a roof resembling the one in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament.  Another room is called the Alhambra as its interior resembles the famous Palace in Granada with the walls and ceilings made of gesso in the Mudejar style.  The participants had an excellent meal in unique surroundings.  At the end of the meal, Professor Brebbia thanked the delegates for having participated in the Conference and the banquet and presented them with a ceramic bowl specially commissioned from a local potter.  They were also offered a copy of the book “Patagonia – a forgotten land” that Professor Brebbia has recently written on the occasion of the first Ravage of the Planet Conference, which took place in that region of the world.  

The Conference will be reconvened in 2009, the date and location soon to be decided.

 Publication of Papers

The Proceedings of Computer Methods and Experimental Measurements for Surface Effects and Contact Mechanics VIII, 352pp (ISBN: 1-84564-073-6) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £115/US$225/€172.50. Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via the WIT Press web site at www.witpress.com

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as volume 55 of WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences (ISSN: 1743-3533). For more details visit the WIT eLibrary at www.witpress.com