Structural Design Innovation and Building Technology Progress Represented by a Hybrid Strategy: Case Study of the “Wartime Architecture” in China’s Rear Area during World War II

ABSTRACT

The “wartime architecture” in China’s rear area during World War II is a long-neglected subject, and its historical significance has probably been underestimated. In fact, its remarkable building technology and design thinking are still of significance and a valuable reference for developing countries today. This study focuses on “wartime architecture” and its “simple building technology” in China’s rear area during World War II. It concentrates on the Chongqing area and pays special attention to structural design with the aim of verifying the scientific significance and practical value of hybrid strategy. Based on literature, archives and field investigation, the article describes the materials, structures, and construction techniques generally used in “wartime architecture”; the case study focuses on buildings of two universities. The results of the analysis of mechanical properties and buildability show that the hybrid strategy represents the structural design innovation and building technology progress induced by environmental adaptability.

KEYWORDS:

• Column and tie construction
• hybrid strategy
• official standardized building
• structural design
• triangle roof truss
• vernacular building
• wartime architecture
• World War II

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Nancy Lea Eik-Nes, Zhao Chen, Guo Xuan, Long Hao, Wangxin, and Wu Lin, as well as the other people involved in this study for their contribution to the field survey, data collection, discussion,d and proofreading.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 15BZS089).