Together with Patrick Fowler of the University of Sheffield, R. Pandia Raj, Riki Kangwai and Hannes Schmidt at Cambridge, Jingyao Zhang of the University of Kyoto, and following initial inspiration from Sergio Pellegrino, I have looked at both the tools of symmetry analysis, working out new methods of applying group-theoretical techniques to structural analysis, and also the application of symmetry to various systems with interesting properties.
Recent work with Patrick Fowler has focussed on using representation theory to expand simple counting rules for structural analysis to consider the symmetries, as well as number, of various quantities. We have developed a symmetry-adapted form of both Maxwell's rule for the determinacy of truss structures, and the mobility criterion for the determination of the number of degrees of freedom of a mechanism.
Further work is concentrating on applying symmetry methods to understand and devise new tensegrity structures.
Zhang, J.Y., Guest, S.D. and Ohsaki, M. (2006) "Symmetric Prismatic Tensegrity Structures". Presented at IASS-2006, Beijing, China, October 16-19, 2006. (pdf copy)
Pandia Raj, R. and Guest, S.D. (2006) "Using Symmetry for Tensegrity Formfinding". Presented at IASS-2006, Beijing, China, October 16-19, 2006. (pdf copy)
Guest, S.D. and Fowler, P.W. (2005), "A symmetry-extended mobility rule." Mechanism and Machine Theory. 40, 1002-1014 (pdf preprint) / doi:10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2004.12.017
Fowler, P.W. and Guest, S.D. (2005), "A symmetry analysis of mechanisms in rotating rings of tetrahedra." Proceedings of the Royal Society: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences. 461(2058), 1829-1846 (pdf preprint) / doi:10.1098/rspa.2004.1439
Fowler, P.W. and Guest, S.D. (2002). "Symmetry Analysis of the double banana and related indeterminate structures", in New Approaches to Structural Mechanics, Shells and Biological Structures, Drew H.R. and Pellegrino, S. eds., Kluwer, 91-101.
Fowler, P.W. and Guest, S.D. (2002), "Symmetry and states of self stress in triangulated toroidal frames." International Journal of Solids and Structures. 39(17), 4385-4393.doi:10.1016/S0020-7683(02)00350-5
Guest, S.D. (2000). "Tensegrities and rotating rings of tetrahedra: a symmetry viewpoint of structural mechanics." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, Millennium Issue 358(1765), 229-243. http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/link.asp?id=w3huwr0et12hlr3d
Fowler, P.W. and Guest, S.D. (2000). "A Symmetry Extension of Maxwell's Rule for Rigidity of Frames" International Journal of Solids and Structures 37, 1793-1804. doi:10.1016/S0020-7683(98)00326-6
Kangwai, R.D. and Guest, S.D. (2000). "Symmetry Adapted Equilibrium Matrices." International Journal of Solids and Structures 37, 1525-1548. doi:10.1016/S0020-7683(98)00318-7
Guest, S.D. (1999). "Mechanisms of the Icosahedral Compound of Ten Tetrahedra." 4th Geometry Festival, Eotvos University, Budapest, November 1999 Periodica Mathematica Hungarica 39(1-3), 213-223. doi:10.1023/A:1004863511981
Kangwai, R.D. and Guest, S.D. (1999). "Detection of Finite Mechanisms in Symmetric Structures." International Journal of Solids and Structures 36, 5507-5527. doi:10.1016/S0020-7683(98)00234-0
Kangwai, R.D., Guest, S.D. and Pellegrino, S. (1999). "Introduction to the Analysis of Symmetric Structures." Computers & Structures 71(2), 671-688. doi:10.1016/S0045-7949(98)00234-X
Last updated on the 25th of October, 2006
S.D. Guest - sdg@eng.cam.ac.uk