Dear colleagues:
     We are organizing an international Symposium on strength theory
(ISSTAD'98). The symposium will be held in Xi'an, China next September
9-11.
     I herein send the First Announcement and Call for Papers to you. I
welcome you and your colleagues to contribute papers and participate the
symposium. The symposium will be a unique opportunity for scholars and
engineers to get together and discuss their opinions. We hope to meet
you in Xi'an next year.

Sincerely yours,
Yu Mao-hong
Professor and Chairman of ISSTAD'98


                         ISSTAD'98
     International Symposium on "Strength Theories:
              Applications and Developments"

          First Announcement and Call for Papers

Sponsored and Organized by:   Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
                              Nanyang Technological University,
Singapore
                              The University of Hong Kong, China
                              Tsinghua University, China

                       Objective
The objective of this symposium is to provide a forum for exchanging
information about the latest developments in the field of strength
theory. The symposium will be a unique opportunity for scientists,
engineers, academics and others to get together and discuss
different ideas and various applications of the strength theories.

                       Symposium Themes
Strength theories (Yield and Failure Criteria) under Complex Stress
State Theories, Tests, Applications, Developments and Trends, including
  ** Recent advances of strength theories and prospects for 21st century
  ** Experimental verification of strength theories
  ** Multi-axial test machines and experimental techniques
  ** Strength theories of Metals, Rocks, Soil, Concrete
  ** Strength theories of Composite Materials and others
  ** Implementations in computer modelling
  ** Numerical methods in the applications of strength theories
  ** Applications of strength theories in aerospace, civil,
geotechnical,
     mechanical & structural engineering, mechanics & materials sciences
  ** Theories and applications for high temperature and strain rate
cases
  **Damage, fatigue and fracture investigations

                       Symposium Chairmen
      Professor M.H. Yu (Xi'an Jiaotong University)
      Professor Y.K. Cheung (The University of Hong Kong)
      Professor S.C. Fan (Nanyang Technological University)
      Professor J.J. Jiang (Tsinghua University)

                       Important Deadlines
December 30, 1997             Submission of abstract
January 30, 1998              Acceptance of abstract
May 30, 1998                  Receipt of full papers
June 30, 1998                 Print of proceedings
September 9-11, 1998          Conference

                        Other Information
The official language of the symposium is English. All papers shall be
written and presented in English. The second Announcement containing
details of the symposium program, registration and accommodation will
be issued in January, 1998.

                        Registration Fee
The registration fee is US$450 if paid by April 30, 1998 or US$200 for
student. The fee covers the symposium proceedings, daily coffee breaks
and lunch, a banquet at Tang Theater Restaurant and tours.

                  Symposium Venue and Xi'an City
The symposium will be held in Xi'an Garden Hotel (****). The Xi'an
Garden Hotel captures the spirit of the Tang Dynasty. Standing beside
the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the hotel features a spacious garden, museum,
and theater restaurant.
Xi'an is an ancient city with a long history and a brilliant culture that
is well known to the world. The world renowned Silk Road had Xi'an as its
starting point, and the Terra-cotta Warriors of the First Qin Emperor is
often called one of the wonders of the world. From the 11th century B.C.,
Xi'an had served intermittently as capitals of the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui
Tang and other empires -- eleven dynasties all together, and spanned a
period of over 1100 years. Xi'an is the earliest capital and has the
longest history of the six ancient cities of China. It has lived through
various stages of the history of human society and has preserved the
culture marks of each historical period, so that the tourists of today
could see in the wonders of the ancient city and enjoy the cream of the
human culture. Now after many vicissitudes, this old and beautiful city
irradiates the vigour of its youth and has become one of the most famous
tourist attractions.

                         Call for Papers
Those interested in contributing a paper are invited to submit a 300-word
abstract, typewritten with double spacing, to the symposium Secretariat
by December 30, 1997.


                         Correspondence Address
        Professor M.H. Yu, Chairman of ISSTAD'98
        School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics
        Xi'an  710049, China
        Fax: 0086-29-3237910     Tel: 0086-29-3269424
        E-mail: MHYU@xjtu.edu.cn
                ISSTAD@sun20.xjtu.edu.cn