A discrete surface theory

Abstract

In the present paper, we propose a new discrete surface theory on 3-valent embedded graphs in the 3-dimensional Euclidean space which are not necessarily “discretization” or “approximation” of smooth surfaces. The Gauss curvature and the mean curvature of discrete surfaces are defined which satisfy properties corresponding to the classical surface theory. We also discuss the convergence of a family of subdivided discrete surfaces of a given 3-valent discrete surface by using the Goldberg–Coxeter construction. Although discrete surfaces in general have no corresponding smooth surfaces, we may find some in the limit.