The continual development of lightweight structural systems has made it possible for structures to carry a far greater load than their self weight. Shells and spatial structures are on the very front of this breakthrough in efficient use of materials.

The continuing development of design, analysis, and construction techniques of shell and spatial structures has resulted in an increasing fund of information of practical interest to architects, engineers, and builders. The IASS, founded by Eduardo Torroja in 1959, has as its goal the achievement of progress through an interchange of ideas among all those interested in lightweight structural systems.