Convex Bodies in Exceptional Relative Positions (Q4487486)

This paper investigates further the boundary structure of convex bodies, i.e. compact convex sets, in \(\mathbb{E}^n\). A common support plane \(H\) of two convex bodies \(K\) and \(K'\) is exceptional, if the affine hulls of the support sets \(H\cap K\) and \(H\cap K'\) have a non-empty intersection or contain parallel lines. If \(K\) and \(K'\) have a common exceptional support plane they are said to be in exceptional relative position. The author proves that the set of rigid motions \(g\) for which \(K\) and \(gK'\) are in exceptional relative position has Haar measure zero. A common boundary point \(x\) of \(K\) and \(K'\) is exceptional if the linear hulls of their normal cones \(N(K,x)\) and \(N(K',x)\) have a non-trivial intersection. The author proves that the set of rigid motions \(g\) for which \(K\) and \(gK'\) have some exceptional common boundary point has Haar measure zero. Both results have been conjectured by S. Glasauer; they have applications in integral geometry. The methods used would also allow to obtain stronger versions of the results, \(\sigma\)-finite Hausdorff measure replacing Haar measure. But the weaker forms are sufficient for the applications.