On the bracing of structures, and the special theory of relativity

Stiffening a structure with a brace generally changes its buckling loads. Bracing to a given load with a brace of known geometry leads to a simple eigenvalue problem, but if the geometric connections are left open, an investigation of the possibilities leads to a description in Minkowski space--the same as is used in interpreting the special theory of relativity. Despite clear differences, the two problems have surprising parallels. ʹ,~ 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved