Homology of Moment Frames

Abstract

Using homological techniques we show that a pin-anchored frame that involves only moments and shears provides a conceptual bridge between the statics of moment frames and the kinematics of pin-jointed trusses. One immediate result is a long exact sequence whose alternating sum of dimensions gives a novel counting rule for self-stresses and mechanisms. This combines the Maxwell-Calladine count for pin-jointed trusses with the circuit rank (first Betti number) associated with self-stresses in moment frames. These relations apply to frames in 2, 3 or any dimensions. This work heralds a shift towards a deeper study of the relationships and dualities that exist between structural equilibria and kinematics.