Editorial – ICSI2023

In the last two years, since the virtual ICSI2021, research activity in Structural Integrity has seen an exponential increase, spilling over several exciting areas in materials, methods, and applications. For the most part, this has been fueled by both the necessity of diversifying energy sources and the societal pressure to cope with climate change and the issues brought about by the required technological development. Research into metal (mis)behavior in the presence of Hydrogen, to cite an example, which has long been an important topic in Structural Integrity, gradually came under the focus of a growing number of scientists due to its importance in Hydrogen storage. In testimony of the importance of this topic, nearly one-fourth of all ICSI2023 accepted abstracts focusing on Hydrogen Embrittlement-related topics. Concomitantly, the experimental activity related to experimental validation in new simulation concepts and applications, and novel applications for validated simulation models which, for instance, enable sensor virtualization, together with disruptive sensing technologies from the realm of science fiction a mere couple of years ago, are paving the way for a revamped R&D arena, with implications in most Engineering fields.

From the very start, five editions ago, ICSI has focused on all aspects and scales of structural integrity, ranging from basics to future trends, with special emphasis on multi-scale and multi-physics approaches, and applications to new materials and challenging environments. Current research topics in the realm of Structural Integrity targeted by ICSI2023 include, but are not limited to Fracture and Fatigue, Stress Analysis, Damage Tolerance, Durability, Crack Closure, Joining Technologies, Nanomechanics and Nanomaterials, Ageing, Coatings Technology, Environmental Effects, Structural Health Monitoring, New materials, Surface Engineering, Integrity of biomechanics structures in and many other exciting research topics.

In 2023, the ICSI organization focused on inviting lecturers related to topics that dominate the contemporary status in Structural Integrity, such as Prof. Frank Cheng from the University of Calgary, working in the field of corrosion engineering and pipeline reliability, Prof. Su Taylor from Queen's University in Belfast, devoted to the development of structural health monitoring of sustainable infrastructure; Prof. José Correia from Porto University, fully engaged in Structural Integrity of energy infrastructure; Prof. César Azevedo well known for his contribution in structural failure and Prof. Zagorac, from Belgrade University, working in the field of material behavior under extreme conditions. Like previous editions, ICSI2023 has been organized into a general track and a number of thematic symposia. Apart from Procedia Structural Integrity, a special issue from Engineering Failure Analysis will cover ICSI2023.

The response to the organization's efforts has been outstanding: Thirteen symposia were proposed; the number of abstract submissions was kept at a similar level to previous editions, with around 200 approved for oral communication.

These are very challenging times for the organization of meaningful conferences, but the organizers strived to make this 5th Edition a memorable one, which will stimulate both young and well-known researchers in the field to contribute further to ICSI.