On the topology of a boolean representable simplicial complex

Abstract

It is proved that fundamental groups of boolean representable simplicial complexes are free and the rank is determined by the number and nature of the connected components of their graph of flats for dimension $\geq 2$. In the case of dimension 2, it is shown that boolean representable simplicial complexes have the homotopy type of a wedge of spheres of dimensions 1 and 2. Also in the case of dimension 2, necessary and sufficient conditions for shellability and being sequentially Cohen-Macaulay are determined. Complexity bounds are provided for all the algorithms involved.