1. Introduction; Part I. The General Case: 2. Frameworks and Rigidity; 3. First-Order Analysis of Frameworks; 4. Tensegrities; 5. Energy Functions and the Stress Matrix; 6. Prestress Stability; 7. Generic Frameworks; 8. Finite Mechanisms; Part II. Symmetric Structures: 9. Groups and Representation Theory; 10. First-Order Symmetry Analysis; 11. Generating Stable Symmetric Tensegrities; A. Useful Theorems and Proofs.
Why don't things fall down? Engineering meets mathematics in this introduction to the geometry of rigid and flexible structures.
Robert Connelly is professor of mathematics at Cornell University and a pioneer in the study of tensegrities. His research focuses on discrete geometry, computational geometry, and the rigidity of discrete structures and its relations to flexible surfaces, asteroid shapes, opening rulers, granular materials, and tensegrities. In 2012 he was elected a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. Simon D. Guest is Professor of Structural Mechanics in the Structures Group of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, and Head of the Civil Engineering Division. His research straddles the border between traditional structural mechanics and the study of mechanisms, and includes work on 'morphing' and 'deployable' structures.
'Rigidity theory mathematicians and structural engineers are like
two branches of a tribe that separated long ago. In the intervening
time, the language and knowledge of each group has evolved to where
concepts no longer align and common terms no longer have common
meanings. As a result, when they interact today, confusion reigns.
Frameworks, Tensegrities and Symmetry is a guide that both groups
can use to understand the other.' William F. Baker, Skidmore,
Owings & Merrill
'The authors promise 'an attempt to build a bridge between two
cultures' and they have done a remarkable job of this unenviable
task. Requiring only a minimum of mathematical and engineering
prerequisites the book develops intuitively, and rigorously, the
rigidity theory of both bar frameworks and tensegrity frameworks
and applies this theory to analyse built structures. Two masters of
the field have carefully designed the book to move seamlessly
between the analysis and synthesis of specific structures and
providing the general, generic and symmetric theories.' Anthony
Nixon, Lancaster University
'This excellent book unifies the engineering and mathematical
literature by exploring different notions of rigidity - local,
global and universal - and how they are interrelated. A lot of
revealing examples accompany the mathematically precise
description, hence the book can be recommended to researchers and
students of mathematics, structural engineering, physics and
computer science alike.' Andras Recski, Mathematical Reviews
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