More Steps Towards an Innovative Concept of Structural Integrity: Between Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei

Abstract

This paper is directed towards a new concept of structural integrity, including a novel and forward-looking approach, and broadening the amplitude of the definition, thereby offering a multi-scale analysis comprising and covering all length scales in the theoretical framework of the new terms of giga-, mega-, macro-, micro- and nano-structural integrity, and therefore the science of fracture mechanics & structural integrity can be seen as a branch of material science & engineering, and the novel idea of material integrity can also be discussed. In addition, the concept of structural integrity is extended to fields such as the biology, or to the case of non-material structures, as well as to the area of human behaviour and psychology, developing the concept of personal structural integrity (or, simply, personal integrity). The paper represents also a heartfelt tribute to the artist and engineer Leonardo da Vinci, as well as to the physicist and mathematician Galileo Galilei for their pioneering works in the fields of material strength, fracture and structural integrity.