A Note on Automated Detection of Skeletal Structures

A geometry-based rigorous approach to the detection of global and internal mobility of skeletal structures (trusses and frames) is presented. The method is useful for automated design of skeletal structures at the conceptual stage where the overall topology of the structure is known, but no exact detail on geometry and size is available. Such topologies are, for example, those generated by interpreting homogenization images in topology optimization. The two-dimensional theory is illustrated utilizing two design examples, a classical two-bar truss design, and one generated in the framework of the integrated structural optimization system (ISOS), introduced in earlier publications. An extension to three-dimensional structures is also provided along with a space truss design example, solved in the literature using force-based techniques.