A rigidity criterion for non-convex polyhedra (Q1772128)

The paper is devoted to problems of infinitesimal rigidity of polyhedra \(P\) in \(\mathbb{R}^3.\) The author studies a special class of polyhedra \(P\), which are gained as the union of polytopes \(C_1, \dots ,C_n\) with disjoint interiors (and vertices exactly in vertices of \(P\)). This class of polyhedra contains certain non-convex forms, too. If there is an ellipsoid which contains no vertex of \(P\), but intersects all edges of the partial polytopes \(C_i,\) the polyhedron \(P\) is infinitesimally rigid. This interesting thing is proved via Schläfli's formula on the first order variation of the volume of a polyhedron (in terms of the variation of its dihedral angles). Subsequently this formula is transferred to hyperbolic geometry \(H^3\) (using the ellipsoid mentioned above as absolute) and can be extended to ideal polyhedra of \(H^3.\) The evaluation of the corresponding formula for volumes (according to Schläfli) eventually delivers a direct proof to the initial statement.