These volumes, 7 and 8, of Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics constitute the proceedings of an international symposium on the fracture mechanics of ceramic materials held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia on June 19, 20 and 21, 1985. These proceedings constitute the fourth pair of volumes of a continuing series of conferences. The theme of this conference, as the previous three, focused on the mechanical behavior of ceramic materials in terms of the characteristics of cracks, particularly the roles which they assume in the fracture process. The 78 contributed papers by over 100 authors and co-authors represent the current state of the field. They address many of the theoretical and practical problems of interest to those concerned with brittle fracture. The program chairmen gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance for the Symposium provided by the EXXON Foundation, the Army Research Office, the Natio~al Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research. Without their support, this conference simply would not have been possible. The suggestions of Drs. J. C. Hurt, R. C. Pohanka, and L. Toth were particularly helpful in assuring the success of this symposium. Special appreciation is extended to Professor J. I. Robertson, C. P. Miles Professor of History. whose presentation following the banquet on the American Civil War was very well received by the audience. Finally, we wish to also thank our joint secretaries, especially Karen Snider, for their patience and help in finally bringing these proceedings to press.

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