The fine structure of threefold triple systems: \(v\equiv 1 \text{ or }3\pmod 6\) (Q1182923)

A threefold triple system is a \(\mathrm{BIBD}(v,3,3)\). Such systems exist whenever \(v\) is odd, see \textit{H. Hanani} [Ann. Math. Stat. 32, 361--386 (1961; Zbl 0107.36102)]. An interesting question that arises concerns the replication of blocks: Can all blocks be distinct? How many blocks can be repeated and how often? Given a \(\mathrm{BIBD}(v,3,3)\), denote by the associated ``fine structure'' the vector \((c_1,c_2,c_3)\) in which \(c_i\) is the number of triples repeated \(i\) times in the design. The authors determine, for \(v\ge 19\) and \(v\equiv 1\text{ or }3\pmod 6\), exactly which vectors are the fine structures for some \(\mathrm{BIBD}(v,3,3)\) (and construct an associated design). The case \(v\ge 17\) and \(v\equiv 5\pmod 6\) is dealt with completely in \textit{C. J. Colbourn}, \textit{R. A. Mathon} and \textit{N. Shalaby} [Australas. J. Comb. 3, 75--92 (1991; Zbl 0768.05011)].