Determination of mechanism's order for kinematically and statically indetermined systems

This paper deals with the mechanisms in kinematically and statically indete rminate reticulated systems. Knowledge of length variation amplitude for me mbers in association with an assigned mechanism allows determination of mec hanism order. This is a fundamental characteristic of these systems, mainly for stability considerations. We submit on one part, simple tests allowing distinction between "order one mechanisms" and mechanisms of higher order, and on the other part an algorithm giving access to order exact value for all mechanisms associated with a given reticulated system. With this algori thm, order one mechanisms and higher order mechanisms are identified. Simpl e examples are given in the text and illustrate these aspects. In conclusio n, we submit a stop criterion for the algorithm which gives access to the f inite mechanisms for most of constructive reticulated systems. (C) 2000 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.