Abstract. This paper considers metrics whose curvature tensor makes sense as a distribution. A class of such metrics, the regular metrics, was defined and studied by Geroch and Traschen. Here, we generalize their definition to form a wider class: semi-regular metrics. We then examine in detail two metrics that are semi-regular but not regular: (a) Minkowski spacetime minus a wedge and (b) a certain travelling wave metric.

PACS numbers: 0420, 0420C

Print publication: Issue 12 (December 1999)
Received 21 June 1999, in final form 25 August 1999