The European Solid Mechanics Conference is the major event for the solid mechanics community in Europe, and provides a unique forum for scientists and engineers from Europe and across the world to exchange ideas on the current state-of-the-art in the mechanics of solids, on new concepts and ideas and to identify new research directions. Solid mechanics is a critically important element in the design and development of almost all technologies and products in many areas, such as aircraft, automobiles, buildings, bridges, and medical implants and devices. Further, solid mechanics is a key enabler in the development of new technologies that address the major global challenges of our time in sustainability, renewable energy and health. The European Solid Mechanics Conference is managed by the Euromech community and was first held in Munich in 1991. This very successful conference initiated a tri-annual series with subsequent conferences held in Genova, Stockholm, Metz, Thessaloniki, Budapest, Lisbon, Graz, Madrid, Bologna and Galway. The 12th European Solid Mechanics Conference will take place at the convention center in LYON, France.