This volume presents recent developments in the theory of defects and the mechanics of material forces. The book constitutes a selection of the contributions presented at the International Symposium on Defect and Material Mechanics (ISDMM2011), held inSeville,Spain, June 2011. The ISDMM series of symposia provides a rare and much needed forum for bringing together a diverse group of researchers from various areas ranging from theoretical, experimental and computational modeling of the mechanics of materials. The present volume constitutes a valuable snapshot of the field of the mechanics of materials and their defects, and a window to its many accomplishments, challenges and opportunities, and open questions. The volume is intended to motivate the young research community interested in the field.

Reprinted from International Journal of Fracture, Vol. 174:1 (2012)