The field of welding is an area which includes a large num- ber of scientific disciplines, such as materials science, solid mechanics, thermal science and mechanical engineering design and production engineering. The intention of the Sym- posium was to cover the direct mechanical effects of welding and their influence on the in-service behaviour of welded structures. The mechanical effects of welding is a very ap- propriate theme for an IUTAM Symposium. Progress in this field requires close interaction between researchers in se- veral disciplines. This is reflected in the topics covered....