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20th International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics, Swansea Arena, Swansea, UK
8 – 10 September 2026

Abstract submission deadline 30 March 2026

The 20th in a series of conferences organised by the British Society for Strain Measurement showcasing novel and innovative research in Experimental Mechanics, 8 – 10 September 2026,  Swansea Arena, Swansea, UK.

Conference Chair 

Professor Hari Arora, Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Swansea University.   

Call for Abstracts 

Two-page extended abstracts should be submitted on-line.
Please follow the Author Instructions for clear guidelines of how your paper should appear.

Key Dates

Abstract submission deadline extended to 30 March 2026
Initial author notification from 15 April 2026
Early bird registration ends 31 May 2026

"I was amazed by the high quality of presentations ... the place to be this year"

International Research

The conference will bring together internationally leading researchers across a wide range of disciplines in both academia and industry to exchange ideas and discuss new research.

The 20th annual conference organised by the British Society for Strain Measurement will bring together leading international researchers from academia and industry to showcase research and innovation in experimental mechanics. 

The conference will be chaired and organised by Professor Hari Arora, Swansea University, UK

Young Stress Analyst Competition

The YSA Competition is an opportunity to present research and meet Industry and academic experts.

Conference Themes

The conference covers all areas of experimental solid mechanics and aims to draw together researchers and industrialists from a diverse range of sectors, including but not limited to Aerospace, Automotive, Rail, Biomedical, Construction, Power & Energy. Abstracts are welcome on any topic that falls within this broad scope.

The conference will have thematic sessions on specialist and emerging areas in experimental mechanics including:

  • Adhesive
  • Aerospace Applications
  • Automotive Applications
  • Biomaterials & Biomechanics
  • Data Driven Testing
  • Fatigue & Fracture
  • Impact, Blast and High Strain Rate
  • Infrared & Thermal Methods
  • Maritime Applications
  • Medical Applications
  • Characterisation of Metals, Microstructures and Welded Joints
  • Model Validation
  • Nano & Micromechanical Testing
  • Novel Experimental Techniques
  • Nuclear Applications: Fission & Fusion
  • Optical and DIC Techniques
  • Residual Stresses
  • Soft matter
  • Non Destructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring
  • Testing of Additively Manufactured Materials
  • Testing of Polymers, Composite and Adhesives Materials
  • Tomography & Radiography
  • Tribology and Contact
  • Virtual Fields Method

'I was impressed, you don't see this quality of presentations in most conferences' Dr Mohammad Fotouhi, (Delft University of Technology, Netherlands)

Registration

To register as a conference delegate, please follow the link below.
Registration is separate to Abstract submission.

Delegate Rates (inc VAT)
To follow

Early Bird until 31 May 2026
To follow

After 31 May 2026
To follow

Conference Highlights

Measurements Lecture to follow
Plenary Lecture

Caitríona (Tríona) Lally, Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Director of Industry Engagement
Discipline: Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin 

Exploring The Synergistic Effect Of Calcification And Structural Damage on Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Leaflets Using Bespoke In-vitro Testing

Aortic stenosis (AS) causes narrowing and stiffening of the aortic valve, and restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Minimally invasive treatment for AS involves the implantation of a bioprosthetic valve with porcine or bovine pericardium leaflets. These leaflets eventually succumb to failure due to regurgitation or stenosis, caused by calcification and/or structural damage and the relationship between these two durability-limiting processes is highly debated. Using bespoke in-house in-vitro testing systems to screen pericardial tissue and subject it to cyclic loading, with and without calcification, we have gained critical insights into the relationship between calcification and structural damage in porcine pericardium (PP) used in heart valves. From this work we have identified screenable tissue features which could minimise both factors and help to increase the long-term durability of bioprosthetic heart valves.

Speaker Biography

Special Sessions (to follow)
Conference Reception (to follow)

Conference Dinner
Swansea Arena; Swansea, UK
EMex26

The BSSM's Exhibition of Experimental Mechanics is the premier UK exhibition for manufacturers and suppliers of strain measurement and stress analysis equipment and will take place over three days on the 8 and 10 September 2026

More about EMex26

For more details please complete form here

Strain Best Prize Competition

This annual prize is sponsored by our corporate Member Fylde

Delegate and Accommodation Information
(to follow)

Organising Committee

General Conference - Professor Hari Arora (Swansea University, UK)
Confco Chair - Dr Ksenija Dvurecenska (University of Liverpool, UK)
Dr Daniel Mulvihill - Chair of BSSM (University of Glasgow, UK) 
Dr Neha Chandarana - Young Stress Analyst Competition Chair (University of Bristol, UK)
Dr Rachel Tomlinson - Conference Secretariat (BSSM)

For further information or queries please contact info@bssm.org

Scientific Committee

Dr Hari Arora, Swansea University, UK
Professor Stéphane Avril, École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne, France
Professor Janice Barton, University of Bristol, UK
Dr Neha Chandarana, University of Bristol
Dr Ksenija Dvurecenska (University of Liverpool)
Dr Lloyd Fletcher, UK Atomic Energy Authority; UK
Dr Mona Eskandari, Dr Jevan Furmanski, University of Dayton Research Institute, USA 
Professor Sam Evans, Cardiff University, UK
Professor Carol Featherston. Cardiff University, UK
Dr Marta Peña Fernández, Heriot-Watt Research Portal, Heriot-Watt University, UK
Dr Kheng-Lim Goh, Newcastle University Singapore Campus, Singapore
Dr Yevgen Gorash, University of Strathclyde, UK
Professor Michel Grédiac, Clermont-Ferrand University, France
Dr Salih Gungor, Open University, UK
Dr Thomas Jailin, Clermont-Ferrand University, France
Professor Spencer Jeffs, Swansea University, UK
Dr Charchit Kumar, University of Glasgow, UK
Professor Jean-Benoit Le Cam, University of Rennes, France
Professor James Marrow, University of Oxford, UK
Professor Andrew Moore, Heriot Watt University, UK
Professor Eann Patterson, University of Liverpool, UK
Professor Fabrice Pierron, Match ID
Professor Ole Thomsen, University of Bristol, UK
Professor Gianluca Tozzi, University of Greenwich, UK
Professor Chris Truman, University of Bristol, UK
Professor Huimin Xie, Tsinghua University; China
Professor Satoru Yoneyama, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan
Dr Feihu Zhao, University of Swansea, UK
Professor Richard Johnston, University of Swansea, UK
Dr Shakir Jiffri, University of Swansea, UK
Dr Alper Celik, University of Swansea, UK
Dr Elisabeth Williams, University of Swansea, UK
Professor Mark Whittaker, University of Swansea, UK

Enjoy our hospitality

Swansea Arena

Experimental Mechanics Exhibition (EMex)

Opportunity to network

Conference Reception

World renowned speakers

Conference fuel

Swansea Marina

 

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