Shellable Complexes and Topology of Diagonal Arrangements

We prove that if a simplicial complex Δ is shellable, then the intersection lattice L _Δ for the corresponding diagonal arrangement is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of spheres. Furthermore, we describe precisely the spheres in the wedge, based on the data of shelling. Also, we give some examples of diagonal arrangements  where the complement is K(π,1), coming from rank-3 matroids. This work forms part of the author’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Minnesota, supervised by Vic Reiner, and partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0245379.