1. On Cases of Instability in Open Structures

Abstract

In the course of some remarks on the design proposed for the Forth Bridge, the author of this paper had enunciated the remarkable theorem, that any symmetric structure built on a rectangular base, and depending on linear resistance alone, is necessarily unstable. The proof of it, given in the eleventh volume of the Transactions of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts, is derived from considerations affecting the special case; but this theorem is only one of an extensive class, and therefore the subject of instability among linear structures in general is here taken up.

In the case of regular or semi-regular arrangements, having the corners of an upper supported from the corners of an under polygon, it is shown that when the figures are of odd numbers the structures are stable, while those with even numbers are unstable ; unless indeed the polygons be placed conformably, in which case the stability extends to both classes.