Plasticity documents the proceedings of the Second Symposium on Naval Structural Mechanics held at Brown University, Rhode Island, 5-7 April 1960. It was sponsored jointly by the Office of Naval Research of the U.S. Navy and Brown University. The symposium was devoted to plasticity. The intention was to provide critical reviews of recent developments in certain areas of plasticity of particular current interest and importance, and to supplement these with short accounts of related current research work. The papers presented at the symposium covered the following areas: atomic theory of plastic flow and fracture; stress-strain relations including thermoplasticity and creep; basic theory including stability and uniqueness; boundary value problems including plates and shells; dynamic loading and plastic waves; and developments in design. Two talks were also held for the purpose of reviewing the present status of application of plasticity in design of naval vessels. The symposium was opened by Captain J. C. Myers on behalf of the Office of Naval Research and by Professor W. Prager on behalf of Brown University. Professor Prager closed the symposium by presenting a brief resume of the main accomplishments and trends in plasticity brought to light during the symposium.