From shear centre to eigenwrenches

In the field of mechanism design, behaviour compliant shell mechanisms is commonly characterised via eigenscrew decomposition their spatial stiffness matrix. Recent developments have included design made with anisotropic materials. Conceptually, these are very similar to morphing composite structures that typically designed using structural mechanics approaches. Eigenscrew could, therefore, provide additional insight designers. To bridge gap between two communities, we present equivalence eigenscrews (eigenwrench and eigentwist) familiar concepts such as shear centre twist for special case a cantilevered beam. It hoped this explicit link will help disparate fields, encourage cross-fertilisation ideas.