Ancient Buildings Research Articles

Retracted: Virtual Reality-Based Digital Restoration Methods and Applications for Ancient Buildings

Retracted: Virtual Reality-Based Digital Restoration Methods and Applications for Ancient Buildings

Analysis of static stiffness properties of column-architrave structures of ancient buildings under long term load-natural aging coupling

The column-architrave structures were widely used in the Yingxian wooden pagoda and pagoda has been in service for many years. Over time, it has been subjected to stress and the effects of natural aging. In order to analysis the ability of the structures to resist deformation under specific static excitation, a study of the static stiffness properties of column-architrave structures in ancient buildings considering long term load-natural aging coupling was carried out. Based on the Gerhards model, a strength degradation model has been developed for column elements and architrave elements, taking into account long-term loading and natural aging effects; By constructing a regular model and a realistic model, the deformation of the regular model under long term self weight load and the deformation of the realistic model under long term self weight load and aging are simulated by finite element model; The relationship between deformation values and static stiffness as a function of time is investigated through multiple points of the column-architrave structures, and the reliability of the proposed model is verified by extracting and comparing data from the automated real-time 3D monitoring system of the wooden pagoda. The results show that the numerical simulations of both models show that the middle of the architrave is more easily deformed than the mortise and tenon joint structures; The deformation resistance of the realistic model is lower than the deformation resistance of the regular model, and the natural aging effect has a non-negligible deterioration effect on the deformation of the column-architrave structures; For the column and architrave elements, they are likely to become unstable at 3330 AD and 3543 AD respectively, which means that after 1307 and 1520 years, the static stiffness of both elements tends to decrease with time in service, with the decrease in static stiffness of the architrave elements being less than that of the column elements.

Experimental and numerical study on seismic performance of steel semi-rigid joints equipped with SMA bars and friction dampers

To reflect and inherit the characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture and regional culture, the Chinese antique building (CAB) imitating ancient Chinese timber building has been constructed using contemporary steel materials. These buildings mostly deploy steel rectangular-shaped beams and circular cross-sectional columns, which normally exhibit typical premature yielding fractures at the beam ends under seismic actions, as well as weak energy dissipation capacity and significant residual deformation. A steel semi-rigid joint equipped with SMA bars and friction dampers was proposed to improve the seismic performance and recoverability of CABs. The proposed joint aims to achieve the purpose of "self-centering during minor to moderate earthquakes" and "high energy-dissipating capacity under severe earthquakes" for CABs. Compared to simple semi-rigid joints, the energy dissipation of joints with friction dampers improved, while the joints equipped with the shape memory alloy (SMA) bar-friction damper coupling devices exhibited significant increases in yield displacement, strength, and overall stiffness, along with remarkable reduction in residual deformation. Based on the test observations, a numerical model was constructed to parametrically optimize the structural design of the damage-controllable steel semi-rigid joints equipped with SMA bars and friction dampers. The research results shall provide a theoretical basis for the proposed joint in engineering applications of steel antique buildings.

History of the Study of Chinese Traditional Architecture in the 20th Century : Specificity of Tang Dynasty Cult Objects

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to study Chinese religious buildings in order to identify the specifics of the construction of temple complexes, to reveal the features inherent in ancient temple buildings. The experience of studying temple complexes of the Tang dynasty in the context of historical research in China in the 20th century is analyzed. The monument of Buddhist Tang architecture — Foguang temple is considered. The socio-economic situation in China in the 20th century formed special conditions for the development of institutes, faculties for the study of temple building. The process of adaptation of architects to the new conditions after the Cultural Revolution was not unequivocal, as most of the temple buildings were destroyed. Only a small part of China's history remained imprinted in cult architecture, which had to be studied. As a result of historical research, new sources appear, and previously unstudied temples are introduced into scientific circulation. Among the Chinese architects of the 20th century were real connoisseurs of Chinese culture, who collected unique objects of ancient architecture, which became part of the world cultural heritage. It is concluded that in each historical epoch of temple building had its own distinctive features; temple architecture became a standard of power and might of emperors of this or that period, allowing us today to judge the achievements and knowledge of ancient architects.

Sebastiano Ittar, architetto: archeologia disegno, città progetto

This research, that was made possible thanks to the recent reorganization of the Ittar Fund at the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of Catania, concerns the use of drawing as a method for understanding the relationship between the ancient fragment and the city. At the beginning of his career, the scarcely known architect Sebastiano Ittar (1768‑1847) used drawing as a tool to study the archaeological fragments he visited during his trips in the Mediterranean. In 1832, instead, Ittar conceived the well-known topographical plan of the city of Catania that was based on the concept of fragments as what remains of archaeological evidence. The last element considered in the article is the relationship between the archaeological fragments and the city as a source of creative architectural inspiration. Ittar’s project for Palazzo Scuderi-Bonaccorso is investigated in comparison with his sketches of an ancient Roman spa building, with the aim of demonstrating that for him archeology was not just a fruitful subject of study, but even a fertile source of inspiration.

PERFECTION IN RULE OR A LICENSE TO INNOVATE? EARLY MODERN ARCHITECTS READ VITRUVIUS BOOK 3.1

For the historian of early modern Italian architecture, Vitruvius is unavoidable. In fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Italy, the study of Vitruvius, in conjunction with the surviving physical models of ancient buildings, was a project that united architects. With the difficult tract as their guide, architects teamed together, often with learned aides, to understand the principles of ancient design. Comparing Vitruvian dicta with antiquarian fragments, architects endeavored to recreate the forms, numbers, and proportional rules prescribed by the ancient author. And using pencil, charcoal, and ink, they created images, filling in the voids of the famously unillustrated text.

Optical Fiber Sensing-Aided 3D-Printed Replacement Parts for Enhancing the Sensing Ability of Architectural Heritage.

This study discussed the application of optical fibers in addressing the problem of insufficient light harvesting and sensing health monitoring in ancient buildings. Based on three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to fix the light-harvesting lens and conducting optical fiber, develop the replacement parts that can be buried into the optical fiber of ancient buildings. By introducing the experimental application to improve the experimental quality of research and teaching. Firstly, it highlights the advantage that the optical fiber plus lens structure design can make the natural light introduced for a long time; secondly, it points out that the buried optical fiber structure design does not affect the warmth and sound insulation of the building; finally, the health monitoring of the building is realized through the proposed method of buried optical fiber sensing. The design scheme adopts a fiber optic light transmission and sensing system, which can realize the whole system's corrosion resistance, after laying buried and low-cost operation.

The use of a Heritage Building Information Model as an effective tool for planning restoration and diagnostic activities: the example of the Troia Cathedral rose window

The constructive reading of the historical architecture through the study of the published and unpublished sources preserved in the archives, can represent a unique and precious cognitive tool to acquire all fundamental information that constitutes the basis of an aware restoration intervention.Frequently, in case of ancient buildings, reconstruct the complete history of the building is not possible, as the sources are difficult to find, not published or kept in different territorial institutes that are not always easily accessible. The aim of this work is to set up an HBIM (Heritage Building Information Model) system to facilitate the planning of diagnostic and restoration activities by bringing all archive information into a unique digital reference platform, accompanied by three-dimensional models that can be consulted, examined and updated.The creation of the HBIM digital tool for consulting the architectural artefact and related information was only the last phase of this work, which began with: (i) Acquisition of archive sources in order to reconstruct the history of the restoration and renovation work on the monument; (ii) Acquisition of information about the diagnostic analyses and monitoring previously carried out on the monument; (iii) acquisition of data useful for the creation of a digital twin.

Study on the seismic performance of through-tenon joints with pullout tenon gaps between mortise and tenon shoulder

Through-tenon joints are widely used in ancient timber buildings. To study the influence of the gaps between mortise and tenon shoulder on the seismic performance of through-tenon joints, a 1:3.52 scaled model was constructed and used for low cyclic loading test. Finite element analysis was conducted to study the mechanical behavior of the through-tenon joint. The seismic performance parameters of the model such as moment-rotation hysteresis curves, envelope curves, degradation of rigidity, and energy dissipation capacity were compared. The analyses showed similar changing characteristics, which indicated that the finite element analysis results were reliable. Based on the results, 7 through-tenon joint finite element analysis models with different gaps between mortise and tenon shoulder were established. The seismic performance of each of the through-tenon joints with different gaps between mortise and tenon shoulder were studied. The moment-rotation hysteresis curve of the through-tenon joint had an obvious pinching effect, and the through-tenon joint had good rotational loading capacity and good deformation ability. The peak rotational loading capacity, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of the joint decreased, while the gap between mortise and tenon shoulder increased.

Sustainable Transportation: The Constraints of An Italian Public University

In Italy most Universities are located in the City Centre, often in ancient buildings that are part of the architectural heritage. During the years they developed campuses in peripheral areas, or even in other cities of the region, thus the concept of “shuttle” takes on a special meaning. The sustainable transportation concerns two main issues: the commuting and the connection between the campuses. In both cases Universities in urban or city centre setting must rely on the services offered by the Municipality to all residents for mobility, and to their sustainable policies, that anyway are required by law. Even though the main problems and solutions do not depend directly on the Universities’ policies, the study highlighted some good practices have been produced.

Experimental and theoretical study on seismic behavior of Dou-Gong brackets on column under the load in overhanging and width directions

The distinctive structural construction in the overhanging and width directions of Dou-Gong (DG) bracket in ancient timber buildings results in different seismic performances of the DG. To study the effect of loading direction on the seismic behaviors of the DG bracket, the pseudo-static tests are conducted on two Dou-Gong brackets on column in the overhanging direction (DG-1) and width direction (DG-2), respectively. The failure mode, hysteretic behavior, skeleton curve, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity of the DG are obtained. Besides, the rotational, sliding, and bulging displacements as well as their proportions of DG component’s horizontal displacement are analyzed. In addition, a theoretical model was proposed to calculate the horizontal load of the DG. Results show that the failure modes of DG-1 and DG-2 are rotation and relative slip of DG components, broken of Xiao 1, and embedment of Flat-Beam. DG-1 has a superior bearing capacity, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity compared with DG-2. However, both DGs exhibit good deformation ability and obvious stiffness degradation. The horizontal displacement component of DG-1 increases first and then tends to be stable with the loading displacement, while the component displacement of DG-2 increases gradually. The rotational and sliding displacements of the DG components are significantly larger than the bulging displacement. The higher the DG components, the larger the rotational displacement. The proportion of the component’s sliding displacement is larger than the rotational displacement for DG-1, while the proportion for DG-2 is opposite. The theoretical model for the horizontal load can effectively calculate the bearing capacity of DG brackets.

A Comparison and Combination of Modern and Historical Architecture

Considering the rapid development of today's society, earth-shaking changes have taken place in many areas, and the field of architecture is no exception. More and more new buildings are emerging. Some of them are built with different materials, some are in innovative styles, and some are for diverse uses. People can clearly find the differences between modern buildings and ancient buildings, including the differences in materials, uses, structures, etc. By tracing and analyzing the relationship between ancient architecture and modern architecture, this paper discusses the architectural style, materials, and how to combine the two. It can be concluded that there are differences existing in materials, structures, and space utilization between ancient and modern buildings. Ancient buildings pay attention to beauty and the embodiment of national spirit, but they do not perform well in the fire resistance and the construction period is long. Modern buildings focus on practicality and safety but may allow less daylighting to enter or have other unreasonable designs. Therefore, the materials and styles of ancient buildings and modern buildings can be well integrated to maximize the role of architecture.

Analysis of fire risk and fire prevention of architectural heritage: A case study of mount wutai in China

As precious historical and cultural heritages in China, ancient architecture belongs to non-renewable resources. However, in recent years, fires in ancient buildings occurred from time to time, causing irreparable losses to Chinas precious historical and cultural heritage. In order to explore the existing problems of fire safety in ancient buildings and better prevent fire accidents, this paper starts with an introduction of the structural characteristics of ancient buildings in China, and then, on the premise of combining the characteristics of geographical culture, architectural structure, and materials of Wutai Mountain temple group, the paper also analyzes the fire risk of ancient buildings. According to the practical work experience in fire protection of Mount Wutai, feasible and reasonable fire protection measures of ancient buildings are put forward, including the enhancement of fire resistance of building materials, the related equipment and system, and the safety management, so as to minimize the fire risk and fire loss and achieve the purpose of protecting gorgeous ancient building civilization.

Research on the Activation and Utilization of Ancient Residential Buildings in Huizhou

In recent years, with the attention to traditional culture and the development of tourism, the protection and utilization of ancient residential buildings in Huizhou have gradually become a hot spot in research. Taking Shichun Village in Wuyuan County as a typical case, this study discusses the activation and utilization methods and strategies of Hui style architecture. Through this study, we find that the revitalization and utilization of ancient residential buildings in Huizhou should be strategically renovated and restored in combination with modern needs on the basis of protecting traditional culture, and giving full play to their unique artistic and cultural value. At the same time, the practical case of Shichun Village in Wuyuan County provides an important reference for the activation and utilization of ancient residential buildings. It is hoped that this study will have practical guiding significance for promoting the protection and utilization of ancient residential buildings in Huizhou.

Traces of the Heritage of Rantauprapat Kingdom (Oral History Review)

The Kingdom of Rantauprapat was a small kingdom that initially emerged in the upper reaches of the Bilah River. This research focuses on reconstructing the history of the Rantauprapat Kingdom through the utilization of historical relics found and historical research methods, as well as oral history methods. In particular literature, the starting point of the Rantauprapat kingdom is referred to as Poeldung. It is estimated that this kingdom existed from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, and it is known that the founder, named Patuan Bolatan, originated from Toba and was laid to rest behind the Sioldengan Village Castle housing. The existence of this kingdom became more evident during the reign of Patuan Bolatan's son, King Muda, around the mid-19th century. This was marked by the construction of the Palace in Sibuaya, formerly known as "Lobu in Bendahara Street," which has left a legacy as an ancient tomb complex. The existence of this kingdom subsequently extended from the king's residence on Padi Street to the relics of shop houses with ancient building typology on Pasar Lama Street and Veteran, as well as a tomb belonging to the last king of Rantauprapat, located in the Paindoan TPU complex

Retracted: 3D Reconstruction and Intelligent Digital Conservation of Ancient Buildings Based on Laser Point Cloud Data

Retracted: 3D Reconstruction and Intelligent Digital Conservation of Ancient Buildings Based on Laser Point Cloud Data

Application of 3-D Ground Laser Scanning Technology to Measure The Scenic Spot of The Best Spring in the World

This paper introduces the main types of 3-D ground laser scanners in the field of surveying and mapping, provides a technical scheme of applying 3-D laser scanning technology to measure ancient buildings in scenic spots, and uses the pulsed 3-D laser scanner which can transmit and receive infinite echoes to solve the problem that vegetation in the surveying area seriously blocks buildings. As an example, the feasibility of the proposed technical scheme is confirmed and the reliability of the proposed technical scheme is demonstrated by precision verification experiments at the scenic spot of the best spring in the world.

Numerical simulation and diagnosis geotechnical parameters of historical buildings in Najran City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This research aims to assess geoenvironmental risks and identify the primary deterioration drivers in ancient buildings in Najran City, utilizing various analytical tools to help make informed judgments. The samples extruded from historical buildings were examined using field inspection, experimental data, SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses, in addition to lab and field observations and meteorological data. The dissolution of clay minerals and salt crystallization are the key contributors to the degradation and cracking of historical buildings in Najran City, according to lab and field observations. When the daytime high temperature surpasses 44 °C, wind erosion and humidity might cause continuous wetting–drying cycles on the investigated building surfaces. Test results indicated that the average unconfined compressive strength of the extruded earthen wall samples was 2 MPa and the water absorption was within the upper allowed limit (i.e., 15%). A finite element model of a typical earthen historical building was developed using PLAXIS 3D software to assess the behavior and nonlinear response of the silty sand soil layer underlying the building and the earthen historical buildings themselves using a plastic material model. The field observations confirm the results of the simulation, which clearly explained the failure mechanism. The integrated geotechnical and numerical simulations could provide insights for assessing geoenvironmental risks, identify the primary deterioration drivers in ancient buildings, and provide an understanding of material qualities and failure causes not only in the studied area but in other similar regions elsewhere.

Study on mechanical properties of poplar timber bending members of ancient buildings strengthened with CFRP sheets embedded

The reduction of the section area of timber beams in ancient buildings leads to the decline of their flexural mechanical properties. In order to study the effect of the reinforcement method with near-surface mounted CFRP sheets, three groups of 14 scaled poplar timber beam specimens were designed for static loading tests, and the strengthening effects of the new members replacing the damaged members and the concealed CFRP sheets strengthening the damaged members were compared. The results show that the ultimate flexural capacity and flexural stiffness of the strengthened timber beams are significantly improved compared with the simulated damaged beams; the bending performance of the optimum strengthened timber beam is equivalent to that of the undamaged beam. The distribution of the section strain of the strengthened timber beam along the height of the beam section basically conforms to the plane section assumption. A formula for calculating the ultimate flexural capacity of poplar timber beams strengthened with CFRP sheets is proposed. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Chemical Compositions of Chinese Glazed Tiles from an Imperial Mausoleum of the Liao Dynasty

Glazed tiles are characteristic architectural ceramics traditionally used in ancient Chinese royal buildings. Studies on their chemical compositions have provided valuable information regarding their compositional classifications and the provenances of their raw materials. Existing studies have mainly focused on the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD) or later. Research on earlier ages is limited because of a lack of samples. In this study, we used an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to analyze the chemical compositions of 18 glazed tiles unearthed from an imperial mausoleum (the Xinli site) from the Liao dynasty (969–982 AD). The glazes of the tiles had a SiO2–Al2O3–PbO ternary oxidic system and the bodies of the tiles had a SiO2–Al2O3 binary oxidic system. Certain compositional differences were observed among the samples with different types of decorations. Compared with samples from the Yuan dynasty and later periods, the Xinli samples had higher SiO2 and Al2O3 contents and lower PbO and CuO contents in the tile glazes. The tile bodies of the Xinli samples had compositions similar to those of tile bodies from the Qing dynasty (1616–1912 AD). We speculated that the Xinli samples with different decorations came from different kiln sites.