Defects in materials and structural fatigue: the new challenges of engineering

According to NASA studies, 80–90% of failures in aerospace components are attributed to material fatigue and microstructural defects—often microscopic and difficult to detect. Similar failure rates are found in other engineering fields, such as civil and mechanical engineering. Understanding and predicting these defects is not only an engineering challenge but also a vital necessity for the safety and sustainability of infrastructure.

Over the past decades, research on material defects has become increasingly central to the study of structural reliability and material fatigue. The growing complexity of engineering applications—from infrastructure to aerospace and biomedical sectors—demands a deeper understanding of microstructural imperfections and their effects on mechanical performance. Today, the integration of advanced experimental techniques, multiscale numerical modeling, and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing fatigue analysis, enabling unprecedented accuracy in predicting material behavior.

Additive Manufacturing and the New Frontier of Structural Integrity

One of today’s most relevant challenges lies in Additive Manufacturing (3D printing), a technology transforming the industrial landscape by enabling the production of complex geometries with customizable properties. However, this innovation also introduces new issues related to structural integrity: porosity, segregation, and microstructural defects can significantly reduce fatigue resistance. Understanding and mitigating these problems is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of additively manufactured structures.

The Symposium: An International Event for Cutting-Edge Research

To address these challenges, from May 14 to 16, 2025, the University of Trento—set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites—will host the 5th International Symposium on Fatigue Design and Material Defects. This event will serve as a key meeting point for scientists, engineers, and professionals from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to discuss the latest scientific and technological advancements in the field of material fatigue.

Key Topics of the Symposium

The main themes covered will include:

• Defect Formation and Propagation Mechanisms – Advanced studies on the origin of imperfections in materials and their impact on structural performance.
  
• Structural Integrity Assessment – Experimental and numerical approaches for evaluating the reliability of materials under fatigue and cyclic loading.
  
• Innovative Solutions for Fatigue Resistance – Strategies to enhance mechanical performance through advanced treatments, optimized design, and new alloys.
  
• Challenges and Opportunities in Additive Manufacturing – Techniques to minimize intrinsic defects and ensure better-performing components in industrial applications.
  

Networking and International Collaborations

In addition to scientific presentations, the symposium will provide a major networking opportunity, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between universities, research centers, and industry. The outcomes of these discussions may pave new directions in materials science, with significant implications for the design of safer, more durable, and more efficient structures.

The symposium is organized by the Local Organizing Committee, in collaboration with the University of Padua, Politecnico di Milano, and BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany).

For more information and registration: Link to the event