The 1-type of a Waldhausen \(K\)-theory spectrum (Q2456219)

A small functorial algebraic model is given for the 2-stage Postnikov section of the \(K\)-theory spectrum of a Waldhausen category. More specifically, a nice 2-functor \(\mathcal D_*\) is constructed from the 2-category \(\mathbb C\) of Waldhausen categories to the 2-category of ``stable quadratic modules'', so that \(\mathcal D_*\mathbb C\) gives the homotopy type of the Postnikov section of \(K\mathbb C\). And \(\mathcal D_*\mathbb C\) has a presentation in the same spirit as the presentation of \(K_1\) in \textit{A. Nenashev} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 131, No. 2, 195--212 (1998; Zbl 0923.19001)], but now with crossed complexes. In order to capture the multiplicative structure also, the stable quadratic module needs to be enriched with an extra quadratic map \(H\). Altogether one associates to \(\mathbb C\) an exact sequence of length four, a pairing \(\langle~,~\rangle\) and the map \(H\). Along the way, the total crossed complex of a bisimplicial complex is introduced and an Eilenberg-Zilber-Cartier equivalence is established for it.