This International Conference on Analytical and Experimental Fracture Me chanics was organized jointly by the Centro Sperimentale Metallurgico, S. p. A. , Lehigh University and Italsider S. p. A. It took place at the Hotel Midas Palace in Rome, Italy, during 23-27 June, 1980. There were more than 150 attendees from 19 different countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, People's Re public of China, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, USA and USSR. Dr. G. M. Costa from Finsider officially opened the Conference and gave the Welcome Address. More than 70 technical papers were presented at three con current sessions. There were six plenary lectures that helped to integrate the diverse efforts, e. g. , analytical fracture mechanics, testing methods, metallur gical effects, corrosion fatigue, dynamic crack propagation and weldments of in dividual researchers. In addition to providing an overall view of the current status of fracture mechanics technology, particular emphasis was given to methods of controlling fracture in gas pipeline structures. The members of the Organizing Committee made a special effort to organize a panel discussion on the application of fracture mechanics technology to the safe design of large diameter pipelines. Dr. Michele Civallero from Italsider and Professor George C. Sih from Lehigh University served as panel Co-Chairmen and delivered survey lectures to stimulate questions from the audience.