Inelastic media constitute a rich source of interesting and important problems in theoretical, experimental and computationalmechanics. Signi?cantinsightshavebeengainedthroughstudiesofthemathematicalchar- teristics of new models. New constitutive theories have lead to variational and other formulations that are generally more complex, often highly nonlinear, and requ- ing new tools for their successful resolution. Likewise, there have been signi?cant advances of a computational nature, coupled to the development of new algorithms for solving such problems in discrete form. It is clear, therefore, that research in the broad area of inelastic media offers c- temporary investigators a range of challenges which are most fruitfully addressed througha combinationof theoretical,experimentaland computationalavenues.F- thermore, the ?eld is truly multidisciplinary in nature, drawing on the expertise of specialists in materials science, various branches of engineering, mathematics, and physics, and bene?ting from integrative approaches to the solution of problems.The objective of the IUTAM Symposium on Theoretical, Modelling and C- putational Aspects of Inelastic Media, held in Cape Town over the period 14-18 January 2008, was to provide a forum in which experts engaged in a spectrum of activities underthe theme of inelastic media could discussrecent developments,and also identify key open problems.
