1. Serret-Frenet Equations
Greg Angelides
December 6, 2006
Math Methods and Modeling

2. Serret-Frenet Equations
Given curve parameterized by arc length s
Tangent vector =
Normal vector =
Binormal vector = X
Curvature =
Torsion = -
Serret-Frenet equations fully describe
differentiable curves in
Serret-Frenet Equations =
= - +
= -

3. Outline Serret-Frenet Equations Curve Analysis
Modeling with the Serret-Frenet Frame
Summary

4. Fundamental Theorem of Space Curves
Let , :[a,b] R be continuous with > 0 on [a,b]. Then there is a curve c:[a,b] R3 parameterized by arc length whose curvature and torsion functions are and
Suppose c1, c2 are curves parameterized by arc length and c1, c2 have the same curvature and torsion functions. Then there exists a rigid motion f such that c2 = f(c1)

5. Curves with Constant Curvature and Torsion
Serret-Frenet Equations
+ ( ) = 0
Solving with Laplace transform yields
= (cos(rs) cos(rs)) ( sin(rs))
( cos(rs))
Where r =
= ( sin(rs) + s sin(rs)) ( cos(rs)) ( s sin(rs)) =
= - +
= -
= 0 = 0
= s
= 0 > 0
= s
> 0 = 0
= sin( s) cos( s)

6. Curves with Constant Curvature and Torsion
For > > 0
= ( sin(rs) + s sin(rs)) ( cos(rs)) ( s sin(rs))
Helix parameterized by arc length has form
f(s) = (a cos( ), a sin( ), )
a is the radius of the helix
b is the pitch of the helix
Solving the Serret-Frenet equations yields =

7. Modeling with Serret-Frenet Frame
Given a differentiable curve with normal , a ribbon can be constructed with the parrallel curve f(s) =  , <<1
Given a differentiable curve with normal , binormal , a tube can be constructed with circles orthogonal to the tangent vector.
f(s, ) = ( cos() sin()), <<1, 0 ≤ < 2

8. Modeling Seashells
A structural curve defines the general shape of the seashell
E.g. a(s) = (a*e-sc1cos(s), a*e-sc2sin(s), b*e-sc3)
A generating curve follows the structural curve and defines the seashell
E.g. g(s,) = a(s) +
Small perturbations along with the wide variety of structural and generating curves allows accurate modeling of the diversity of seashells

9. Summary
Serret-Frenet equations and frame greatly simplify the study of complex differentiable curves
Functions for curvature and torsion and the Serret-Frenet equations fully describe a curve up to a Euclidean movement
Serret-Frenet framework used extensively in a wide variety of modeling studies