Equilibrium stresses in frameworks via symmetric averaging: equilibrium stresses in frameworks via symmetric averaging

For a bar-joint framework (G, p), a subgroup Γ of the automorphism group of G, and a subgroup of the orthogonal group isomorphic to Γ, we introduce a symmetric averaging map which produces a bar-joint framework on G with that symmetry. If the original configuration is “almost symmetric”, then the averaged one will be near the original configuration. With a view on structural engineering applications, we then introduce a hierarchy of definitions of “localised” and “non-localised” or “extensive” self-stresses of frameworks and investigate their behaviour under the symmetric averaging procedure. Finally, we present algorithms for finding non-degenerate symmetric frameworks with many states of self-stress, as well as non-symmetric and symmetric frameworks with extensive self-stresses. The latter uses the symmetric averaging map in combination with symmetric Maxwell-type character counts and a procedure based on the pure condition from algebraic geometry. These algorithms provide new theoretical and computational tools for the design of engineering structures such as gridshell roofs.