Abstract
Formex algebra is a mathematical system that may be used in the representation and processing of any sort of configuration, where 'configuration' is a term used to refer to a collection of any kind of entities. The algebraic system is modelled on requirements of data processing in engineering structural analysis. The primary aim is to provide a means for solution of problems related to the arrangement and disposition of constituent entities of structural systems, such as members, joints, loads and constraints. The basic approach is to represent the interconnection pattern of a structural configuration by a formex and then use this formex as a basic skeleton to which other aspects of the system, such as material properties and geometric particulars, may be related. The present work examines the concepts of formex algebra and makes a contribution in the practical aspect of formulating formices representing interconnection patterns of structural configurations. Also, because geometric particulars play an important part in specifying the physical properties of a structural system, the problem of relating geometric information to the formex representation of a configuration receives special attention in this thesis.