Luis Sim?es da Silva is Professor of Steel Construction at the Civil Engineering Dept. of the University of Coimbra/ Portugal, where he is responsible for the Steel and Mixed Building Technologies Research Centre. He is President of the Portuguese Steelwork Association (CMM) and member of the Executive Board and President of the Technical Management Board of the ECCS. He has authored over 300 scientific articles in this field. Rui A. D. Sim?es is Professor at the Civil Engineering Dept. of the University of Coimbra/ Portugal, where he got his BSc in 1990, his MSc in 1995 and his PhD in 2000. He is heavily involved in experimental research work and teaching of steel related courses in the BSc, MSc, PhD and continues education programs. Helena Gervasio is Visiting Professor at the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Coimbra/ Portugal. She is Technical Director of the GIPAC Lda., an engineering consultancy company specialized in structural engineering. She is member of the Technical Committee TC14?Sustainability of ECCS.