International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

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International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM)

The IUTAM is an international non-governmental science organization that promotes theoretical and applied mechanics. It helps scientists share ideas through international congresses, symposia, and summer schools. IUTAM grew from the International Applied Mechanics Conferences (ICAM), which began in Delft in 1924. The union was formed in 1946 in Paris and, in 2022, was registered as a Dutch association in Amsterdam. It is a member of the International Science Council (ISC).

How it’s organized

Core members are Adhering Organisations (AO) from 44 countries, which fund the union and appoint representatives with voting rights at the General Meeting of Members (GMM), the governing body. Another 21 international organizations related to mechanics can be Affiliated Organisations. The GMM meets virtually in odd years and in person in even years. An eight-person Board of Directors runs day-to-day affairs.

What IUTAM does

IUTAM organizes and endorses scientific activities in fluid and solid mechanics, including Symposia and Summer Schools, with the aim of bringing together active scientists to advance the field. A dedicated Congress Committee (33 members) plans the scientific program and selects venues for the quadrennial International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ICTAM), often called the “Olympics” of mechanics.

Awards and prizes

Since 2008, IUTAM has awarded two major prizes at ICTAM: the Batchelor Prize for outstanding work in fluid mechanics and the Rodney Hill Prize for solid mechanics, each worth $25,000. Since 1988, the IUTAM Directors Prize (renamed the IUTAM Bureau Prize in 2024) honors excellent young scientists for their ICTAM presentations.

ICTAM and global reach

ICTAM is held every four years in different cities around the world. Past venues include Delft, Zurich, Stockholm, Cambridge, Moscow, Kyoto, Chicago, Beijing, Montreal, and Milan. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020+1 ICTAM took place in Milan, while the 2024 ICTAM was held virtually in Daegu. The next ICTAM is planned for Vienna in 2028.

Languages and contact

The official language of IUTAM is English. For more information, visit iutam.org. The current President is Jacques Magnaudet of France.