Rigidity theory and symmetry

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Alison La Porta, University of Lancaster
• Friday 13 June 2025, 15:00-16:00
• MR19 (note venue change!).

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Siao Chi Mok.

Geometric rigidity is a theory that studies geometric structures known as frameworks through tools from various areas of mathematics, including representation theory, algebra, and combinatorics.

One type of framework which is central to rigidity theory is the bar-joint framework, a structure composed of stiff bars linked together by freely rotational joints. The main goal is to determine when such a structure is rigid, i.e. when it cannot be deformed in any way that keeps its bar-lengths fixed.

Under some genericity assumptions, rigidity is well-understood in the Euclidean plane. However, the problem becomes more difficult when we drop the genericity requirements. When introducing symmetry, some frameworks in the Euclidean plane behave in unexpected ways.

In this talk, I will introduce some notions of rigidity and see how symmetry affects rigidity in the Euclidean plane.

This talk is part of the Junior Geometry Seminar series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All CMS events
• CMS Events
• DPMMS info aggregator
• Hanchen DaDaDash
• Interested Talks
• Junior Geometry Seminar
• MR19 (note venue change!)
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.