SEM Annual Conference
Hilton Norfolk The Main | Norfolk, VA | June 1–4, 2026
The SEM Annual Conference and Exposition focuses on all areas of research and applications pertaining to experimental mechanics, and has evolved to encompass the latest technologies supporting optical methods; additive & advanced manufacturing; dynamic behavior of materials; biological systems; micro-and nano mechanics; fatigue and fracture; composite and multifunctional materials; residual stress; inverse problem methodologies; thermomechanics; and time dependent materials.
This broad focus on experimental mechanics includes topics in digital image and digital volume correlation techniques, speed impacts to shock and blast, durability and extreme environmental effects, model/experiment integration, materials for advanced manufacturing, damage detection and non destructive testing, tools spanning various length scales and new experimental techniques and methods to address real-life applications, research and collaborative efforts across all disciplines complementing experimental mechanics.
The SEM Student Ambassador Award Program was instituted as a mechanism to increase inclusivity and support for our student members. Click here to learn more.
Below is a link to the Final Program. Program times/schedules are subject to change - download and refer to the Whova app for any scheduling changes.
| FINAL PROGRAM |
SEM 2026 Mentoring Program
Click here to learn more about our new SEM Mentoring Program!Pre-Conference Course:
Machine Learning for Mechanics
Date/Time: Sunday, May 31, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Instructors: Sharlotte Kramer, Marco Rossi, Jean-Charles Stinville, Antonios Kontsos
Springer/Nature Young Investigator Lecture:
Digital Image Correlation (DIC): Pushing the Frontier for Extreme Environments
Date/Time: Monday, June 1, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.Speaker: Elizabeth M. C. Jones—University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
William M. Murray Lecture:
From Metallic Materials to Stem Cells: A Mechanics Journey
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.Speaker: Wendy C. Crone—University of Wisconsin–Madison
The most up-to-date technical schedule will be hosted through Whova, our Conference platform. You can create an account or log in today!
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- Check the Community link for
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