Dougong...

dont get me wrong, this is my study for my subject at school of architecture.

Salam..

ok..this time, we talk about dougong..

What is Dougong?

it is a unique wooden bracketing system..

One of the important element in traditional Chinese Architecture.

It can be found only in palace and temples halls.

DOU - wooden block

GONG -  bow-shaped bracket

It consist of many interlocking parts of timber to form a BRACKET.

Each pieces are fit together by joint it alone WITHOUT glue or nail,

The bracket are formed by placing a large wooden block on a column to provide a solid base for the bow-shaped that support the beam or another Gong above it..

These process can be repeated many times and rises many level..

Function

To transmit  the weight of the beams or roofs which are above them 

by transferring the weight to the columns.

It also an earthquake-resistant.

It can hold the wood structure together even through brick walls would collapse in the same earthquake.

so, maybe, i think ,

thats the reason why the ancient building can survive for a long time.