Notch Mechanics. Fundamentals, Design & Applications

Aims and Contents
The First International Summer School on Notch Mechanics will be held in the charming city of Vicenza (Italy) from 13 to 17 July 2026, hosted at the Department of Management and Engineering (University of Padova).
This first edition aims at becoming a reference event for young scientists, PhD students, industrial engineers, and researchers interested in the advanced design against static or fatigue of mechanical components, an area that remains central in modern structural applications across mechanical, aerospace, civil and materials engineering.
The School will offer participants a unique opportunity to learn from leading international experts about the fundamentals and the most advanced developments in notch mechanics, from theoretical bases to modern design criteria, from welded and bonded joints to fracture-based and numerical approaches. This will also include a focus on the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the analysis, design and optimisation of notched structures, a rapidly 
emerging field with transformative potential.
The five-day program will include theoretical lectures, practical sessions, numerical activities, and industrial application cases presented by specialists from worldwide institutions. 
Continuous attention will be given to linking theory, modelling and practical design, fostering the ability to understand local stresses, predict structural integrity and design safe, efficient components.
This first edition of the Summer School is dedicated to the memory of Professor Paolo Lazzarin, an outstanding scientist and a brilliant mentor, whose pioneering contributions to notch mechanics were instrumental in shaping the field and have inspired generations of Young researchers worldwide.

Preregistration is now open. All participants who complete their preregistration by February 28th will receive a 15% discount on the final registration fee. 

School Coordinators: 
Michele Zappalorto (University of Padova), Filippo Berto (Università Roma la Sapienza)

Organizing Committee: 
Filippo Berto, Paolo Ferro, Lucio Maragoni, Giovanni Meneghetti, Mauro Ricotta, Michele Zappalorto

For updated information and for preregistration visit the School website: https://static.gest.unipd.it/notch-mechanics2026/