In recent years there has been an unmistakable tendency for research in the fields of hydraulics and fluid mechanics to involve ever more sophisticated study of increasingly detailed aspects of problems, while in the process becoming further and further detached from the reali- ties faced by practising engineers. At the same time, too many hy- draulic engineers have continued to conduct model studies with the goal of obtaining ad-hoc solutions for specific problems, while direct- ing little if any of their attention toward elucidation of the underlying mechanics and toward generalization of...

Symposia in the areas of fluid mechanics and hydraulics are, in many cases, strongly oriented toward the researcher, with only peripheral participation of the practicing engineer. The possible danger therein is an increased emphasis on those problems that are theoretically or experimentally attractive, rather than those that would most effectively lead to improved design criteria. To bring the practical aspects of flow-induced vibrations to the forefront, and to enhance in terchange of information on shortcomings of design criteria, it was decided to extend invitations to fielrl engineers,...