PCF2026
Portuguese Conference on Fracture

March 30 to 31, 2026, INEGI – Porto

Welcome

The 2026 Portuguese Conference on Fracture is a joint organization of the Portuguese Structural Integrity Society, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. It will be held in INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, from March 30 to 31, 2026. 

The conference’s main topics are: Fracture; Fatigue; Structural Integrity; Advanced Materials and Biomaterials. 

Porto is a major economic hub in northern Portugal, with a solid industrial base and an active innovation ecosystem. The city combines established activities in manufacturing, textiles, cork, and furniture with expanding digital and technology sectors. Its economic environment is supported by universities, research centers, and a growing number of startups. Porto is known for its medieval Ribeira quarter, Baroque churches, and the neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa, reflecting centuries of commercial and urban development. The city is also closely associated with Port wine production and the wine cellars along the Douro, and it sustains a dense cultural life with museums and concert halls, that attract international visitors.

Co-Chairs

Abílio de Jesus

Pedro Moreira

Organization

Topics

Main Topics

  • Fracture 
  • Fatigue 
  • Structural Integrity 
  • Advanced Materials and Biomaterials 

Sub Topics

  • Analytical and numerical models and methods  
  • Experimental Techniques  
  • Polymeric materials  
  • Composite materials  
  • Ceramics materials  
  • Metallic materials  
  • Additive and functional materials  
  • Crack propagation  
  • Interaction with the environment  
  • Application and case studies  
  • Durability of structures 

Submission

Abstract submission 

Please send your abstracts to: associacaospfie@gmail.com
All those wishing to make a presentation must submit an abstract (in Word format) 

Abstract template download: Download

There will be three types of presentations at the conference:
– Plenary
– Lectures Oral Presentations
– Posters 
Plenary lectures will be given by speakers at the invitation of the Organizing Committee, and they will address topics of particular importance in the field of the in-service behaviour and fracture of materials

Publication 

Conference abstracts will be published in the Book of Abstracts. 

Program

Tentative Program

Monday
30th March		Tuesday 31st March
9h00-9h30Opening Session9h00-9h30Keynote 2
9h30-10h00Keynote 19h30-10h30Session 5
10h00-11h00Session 110h30-11h00Coffee-Break
11h00-11h30Coffee-Break11h00-12h30Session 6
11h30-13h00Session 2
13h00-14h30Lunch
14h30-16h30Session 3
16h30-17h00Coffee-Break
17h00-18h00Session 4
19h30Dinner

Plenary Lectures  

Ana Martins Amaro

Associate Professor with Habilitation
Mechanical Eng MSc PhD Hab
University of Coimbra • Dep. Mech. Eng.
CEMMPRE • Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing

Title: Structural Integrity Assessment of Biomedical Devices: Relevance and Challenges

Rui F. Martins

Associate Professor
Mechanical Eng MSc PhD
NOVA School of Science & Technology
UNIDEMI – NOVA | Research and Development Unit in Mech. and Ind. Eng.
Title: Analysis and Prevention of Mechanical Failures in Industrial Equipment

Important Dates

Important:  Getting your abstract accepted does not mean that you are registered for the conference. Remember to register and pay for the conference before February 15, 2026, in order to get a discount on the participation fee.

Abstract submission deadlineFev. 15, 2025
Notification to authorsMarch. 2, 2026
Conference dateMarch 30 and 31, 2026

Registration

Fees 

The registration fee includes – Coffee breaks, daily lunch, cultural visit, conference dinner and participation certificate. 

Early*Normal
Normal300€350€
SPFIE / ESIS Member  270€320€
Student200€250€

* Before February 15, 2026

Registration link: https://www.congressospco.abreu.pt/PCF2026-42141.aspx

Commities

Organizing Committee

  • José Correia 
  • Paulo Tavares 
  • Rita Dantas 
  • Rogério Lopes 
  • Abílio de Jesus 
  • Pedro Moreira 

Scientific Committee

  • Abílio de Jesus, Universidade do Porto. 
  • Alfredo da Silva Ribeiro, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. 
  • António Mário Henriques Pereira, Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão de Leiria. 
  • Armando Ramalho, Politécnico de Castelo Branco. 
  • Carlos Capela, Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão de Leiria. 
  • Fernando Ventura Antunes, Universidade de Coimbra. 
  • Filipe Samuel Silva, Universidade do Minho. 
  • Joel de Jesus, Universidade de Coimbra. 
  • José António Correia, Universidade do Porto. 
  • José Cardoso Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. 
  • José Domingos Costa, Universidade de Coimbra. 
  • José Martins Ferreira, Universidade de Coimbra. 
  • Luís F. G. Reis, Instituto Superior Técnico. 
  • Luís Filipe Borrego, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra. 
  • Luís Roseiro, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra. 
  • Manuel Fonte, Escola Superior Náutica. 
  • Manuel Moreira de Freitas, Instituto Superior Técnico. 
  • Paulo Nobre dos Reis, Universidade da Beira Interior. 
  • Paulo Tavares de Castro, Universidade do Porto. 
  • Paulo Tavares, INEGI. 
  • Pedro Moreira, INEGI. 
  • Ricardo Batista, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. 
  • Ricardo Branco, Universidade de Coimbra. 
  • Ricardo Cláudio, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. 
  • Rui F. Martins, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. 
  • Virgínia Infante, Instituto Superior Técnico.

Awards

Best paper presented by a non-doctor researcher 

This award recognizes the best presentation by a non-doctor student or researcher. The award will be decided by a local committee. 

Best Poster 

This award recognizes the best poster displayed at the conference. Recommended poster dimensions is DIN A1 size. The award will be decided by a local committee. 

Best PhD Thesis 

Awarded to the best PhD thesis between 2022-2024 in the conference main topics. Appliance ends by 15/01/2026 and the award is decided by a SPFIE committee. 

SPFIE Career Award 

The “SPFIE Carrier Award” goal is to recognize the academic carrier and lifetime scientific activities of a distinguished Portuguese researcher. The award is attributed in the biannual Association Conference and decided by a jury comprised by the conference Chairperson (acting as the jury president) and the remaining members of the association executive committee. 

SPFIE Scientific Merit Award 

The “SPFIE Scientific Merit Award” goal is to recognize the scientific developments and achievements by a Portuguese researcher in the area of Fracture and Structural Integrity, on the previous couple of years. The award is attributed in the biannual Association Conference and by a jury comprised by the association executive committee members.  

Accomodation

Eurostars Oporto (4★) 

Location: Modern hotel very close to FEUP and Hospital de São João, walking distance (about 10–15 minutes) or 1 metro stop from Polo Universitário. 

Address: R. Mte. Guilherme Camarinha 212, 4200‑537 Porto, Portugal. 

GOOGLE MAPS

Axis Porto Business & SPA Hotel (4★) 

Location: In the university area (São Mamede de Infesta), a short taxi ride or ~20–25 minutes’ walk from FEUP; easy access to the Asprela campus and Hospital de São João. 

Address: R. Maria Feliciana 100, 4465‑283 São Mamede de Infesta, Portugal.  

GOOGLE MAPS

Hotel ibis Porto São João (2★) 

Location: On the edge of the university campus, next to the São João shopping area; very close to the metro and about 10–15 minutes’ walk from FEUP. 

Address: Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 4200‑450 Porto, Portugal.

GOOGLE MAPS

Venue

INEGI 

Campus da FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400 
4200-465 Porto 
Telephone: +351 229 578 710 
inegi@inegi.up.pt 

INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is a Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), founded in 1986, focused on research and technology-based innovation activities, technology transfer, consulting and technological services, oriented to the development of industry and economy in general. 

Travel Information

INEGI is located in the northern part of Porto, in the FEUP campus (Asprela), in an area well served by public transport and close to the city’s main road network. The campus lies near Hospital de São João and the main university hub, between the VCI (A20) and the Circunvalação (EN12) ring road, making it straightforward to reach by car from any entry point into the city. 

If you are arriving by plane to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, the most convenient way to reach conference site is by metro: take line E (purple) from the airport to Trindade, then change to line D (yellow) towards Hospital de São João and exit at either IPO, Polo Universitário or Hospital de São João stations, all of which are within about an 8‑minute walk of the campus. The airport–city‑centre journey by metro takes roughly half an hour, and you will need an Andante ticket for the appropriate number of zones (typically Z3 to the centre, Z4 if going directly to the FEUP area). 

Travelling from the main railway station, Porto‑Campanhã, you can use the metro: take any line to Trindade and then change to line D (yellow) towards Hospital de São João, getting off at IPO, Polo Universitário or Hospital de São João.