More than forty scientists from 13 countries participated in the 16th in a series of working conferences on structural systems. The IFIP Working Group 7.5 on Reliability and Optimization of Structural Systems, organized this year under the leadership of founding College of Engineering Dean Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, promotes modern structural system reliability and optimization theories and methods. It aims to stimulate research, disseminate and exchange information, and encourage education in this field. Two years ago the Conference was held at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. The next Conference will be held in China.