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 their results for future appli cation. It was against this background that the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM) and the International As sociation for Hydraulic Research (IAHR) were approached and asked to cosponsor the Symposium on Flow-Induced Structural Vibrations, which would have as its objective the promotion of interaction between the active researchers and the practitioners, and of communication between the different disciplines concerned. To this end, invitations were extended to individuals who together represented the full range of the investigation-application spectrum, and contributions were so licited from scientists and engineers who, in general, approach vi bration problems along different avenues. In soliciting contributions to the Symposium it was emphasized that priority would be given to IV Preface papers which shed light on the constituent phenomena involved in vi bration problems and thereby enhance our understanding of the basic vibration-inducing mechanisms.
