Experimental and Numerical Study on Dou-Gong Joint of Ancient Wooden Structure in Qing Dynasty

ABSTRACT

Three full-scale Dou-Gong specimens at column tops are made according to the Qing Dynasty “code of engineering practice,” based on the prototype of one Dou and two Sheng Jiaomaye Dou-Gong of Jiayuguan tower. The three-dimensional load-displacement curve of Dou-Gong is obtained using three-dimensional static loading tests. Furthermore, the deformation characteristics, three-dimensional compression stiffness, and three-dimensional load transfer law of each layer of the Dou-Gong are analyzed. The test results indicate that the vertical failure characteristics of the Dou-Gong are the splitting of the Flat-Fang, and there is no obvious damage to the horizontal members until toppling. The three-dimensional load-displacement relationship curve of the Dou-Gong can be simplified to a two-fold line model, vertical stiffness of the Dou-Gong is significantly greater than the horizontal stiffness, and the horizontal stiffness in the beam direction is greater than the horizontal stiffness in the Fang direction. Using ABAQUS software, a comparative analysis of the difference in mechanical properties between the Dou-Gong at the column tops and the Dou-Gong between the columns is performed. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the structural performance safety assessment and preventive protection of the Jiayuguan tower and similar Chinese ancient wooden structures.

KEYWORDS:

• Ancient wooden structure
• Dou-Gong in the Qing Dynasty
• full-scale static test
• numerical simulation
• three-dimensional rigidity

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

1&Jiayuguan World Cultural Heritage Monitoring System Project (phase II) Current Structural Analysis and Condition Assessment of Jiayuguan Wooden Buildings (Grant No. JYGZCDL2017024G).2. The China National KeyRD Program duringthe 13th Five-year Plan Period Research and Demonstration on Key Technologies of Scientific Cognition and Ontology Protection of Official Building Construction Technology in Ming and Qing dynasties [Grant No.2020YFC1522402].