A historical graphical analysis method for rigid frames

This research reviews a historical graphical method for the analysis of rigid frames. As the basis of this method, the graphical analysis methods for statically indeterminate beams, as well as determinate ones, were also reviewed. This method for rigid frames was presented by William Wolfe in 1921 [1]. Although somewhat rudimentary and almost forgotten, it possesses a special cognitive value comparing to the analytical and numerical methods. The current mainstream of the study on graphic statics pays limited attention on the application of graphic statics to rigid frames, as well as to hyperstatic beams. However, exploration on the analysis methods of these structure types was an important part of the history of graphic statics. Such explorations have occupied a large portion of some of the classic works of graphic statics. After the introduction, this paper reviews the origin and basis of the graphical method for rigid frames, revealing the history and system of the technique behind the graphical method for rigid frames. The methods for beams will be explained in more technical details in the following section, enabling readers to readily comprehend the explanation of the method for rigid frames in the next part. After the technical account, the advantages and disadvantages of this method for rigid frames are discussed. The author argues that this graphical method for rigid frames, notwithstanding its present limitation, is potential to be developed into a design method for architects to explore the form of rigid frames perceptively