The International Society for Rock Mechanics was founded in Salzburg in 1962 as a result of the enlargement of the "Salzburger Kreis". Its foundation is mainly owed to Prof. Leopold Müller who acted as President of the Society till September 1966. The field of Rock Mechanics is taken to include all studies relative to the physical and mechanical behaviour of rocks and rock masses and the applications of this knowledge for the better understanding of geological processes and in the fields of Engineering (ISRM Statutes). The main objectives and purposes of the Society are: - to encourage international collaboration and exchange of ideas and information between Rock Mechanics practitioners; - to encourage teaching, research, and advancement of knowledge in Rock Mechanics; - to promote high standards of professional practice among rock engineers so that civil, mining and petroleum engineering works might be safer, more economic and less disruptive to the environment. The ISRM is a non-profit scientific association supported by the fees of the members and grants that do not impair its free action. The ISRM Secretariat has been headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - LNEC since 1966, date of the first ISRM Congress, when Prof. Manuel Rocha was elected as President of the Society.