Simon D. Guest – författare

This introduction to the theory of rigid structures explains how to analyze the performance of built and natural structures under loads, paying special attention to the role of geometry. The book unifies the engineering and mathematical literatures by exploring different notions of rigidity - local, global, and universal - and how they are interrelated. Important results are stated formally, but also clarified with a wide range of revealing examples. An important generalization is to tensegrities, where fixed distances are replaced with 'cables' not allowed to increase in length and 'struts' not allowed to decrease in length. A special feature is the analysis of symmetric tensegrities, where the symmetry of the structure is used to simplify matters and allows the theory of group representations to be applied. Written for researchers and graduate students in structural engineering and mathematics, this work is also of interest to computer scientists and physicists.

This volume contains papers by engineers, architects, biologists and applied mathematicians with a common interest in deployable structures. Some of the work that originated in the aerospace field has been applied to biological structures, new developments for structures for terrestrial applications, and new kinds of mechanisms for deployable structures applications are also presented.

This introduction to the theory of rigid structures explains how to analyze the performance of built and natural structures under loads, paying special attention to the role of geometry. The book unifies the engineering and mathematical literatures by exploring different notions of rigidity - local, global, and universal - and how they are interrelated. Important results are stated formally, but also clarified with a wide range of revealing examples. An important generalization is to tensegrities, where fixed distances are replaced with ''cables'' not allowed to increase in length and ''struts'' not allowed to decrease in length. A special feature is the analysis of symmetric tensegrities, where the symmetry of the structure is used to simplify matters and allows the theory of group representations to be applied. Written for researchers and graduate students in structural engineering and mathematics, this work is also of interest to computer scientists and physicists.

The IUTAM-IASS Symposium on Deployable Structures: Theory and Applications was held on 6-9 September 1998 in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. The Scientific Committee was appointed jointly by the two sponsoring organisations, the International Union for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM) and the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (lASS). Its membership was as follows: S. Pellegrino (UK, Chairman) C. R. Calladine (UK) L. B. Freund (USA) M. Geradin (Belgium) Y. Hangai (Japan) K. Kawata (Japan) B. Kroplin (Germany) S. ]. Medwadowski (USA) M. M. Mikulas (USA) A. Samartin Quiroga (Spain) F. P. ]. Rimrott (Canada) T. Tarnai (Hungary) The opening lecture of the Symposium was given by Professor C. R. Calladine. It was followed by seven lecture sessions on Concepts, Structural Mechanics, Reflectors, Deployable Structures in Nature, Design and Testing, Inflatable Structures, Simulation, plus a large interactive session during which posters and physical models were shown. A discussion of topics suggested by the participants took place during the closing session. There were 83 participants from 18 countries, and a total of 50 papers were presented. Financial support was generously provided by the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM). Additional support was provided by the British Council, the British National Space Centre (BNSC), and Kluwer Academic Publishers. We thank the members of the Scientific Committee for their willingness to referee to a high standard both the abstracts and the papers for the proceedings. Professor G. M. L.