Conjugate structure method

The conjugate structure method is developed from first principles for the general three-dimensional case including shearing deformations and various sources of excitation. It is shown that the analogy is a direct result of the particular mechanics of reticulated structures and that the anomalies that arise in applying the method are a consequence of the fundamental difference between the static and kinematic problems. Once recognized, the anomalies are easily treated. The success of the approach presented here lies in a clear separation between the static and kinematic problems.