%0 Journal Article %J Graphical Models %D 2003 %T Decomposing non-manifold objects in arbitrary dimensions %A De Floriani, Leila %A Mesmoudi,Mostefa M. %A Morando,Franco %A Puppo,Enrico %X We address the problem of building valid representations of non-manifold d-dimensional objects through an approach based on decomposing a non-manifold d-dimensional object into an assembly of more regular components. We first define a standard decomposition of d-dimensional non-manifold objects described by abstract simplicial complexes. This decomposition splits a non-manifold object into components that belong to a well-understood class of objects, that we call initial quasi-manifold. Initial quasi-manifolds cannot be decomposed without cutting them along manifold faces. They form a decidable superset of d-manifolds for d⩾3, and coincide with manifolds for d⩽2. We then present an algorithm that computes the standard decomposition of a general non-manifold complex. This decomposition is unique, and removes all singularities which can be removed without cutting the complex along its manifold faces. %B Graphical Models %V 65 %P 2 - 22 %8 2003/05// %@ 1524-0703 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1524070303000067 %N 1–3 %R 10.1016/S1524-0703(03)00006-7