MORTISE AND TENON JOINT ---a research project

Independent work high school project

Guangzhou, 2018

Dou Gong, an ancient Chinese architectural element, is the basic and most important structure with great complexity in the construction of large scale architectures. When visiting the buildings constructed in different dynasties, I became interested in the development of this technique.

I chose two representative styles of Dou Gong in Song and Qing dynasty. Then I deconstructed the structures into pieces and analyzed their differences.

The structure of Mortise and tenon joint is simple and the number of its components is less.

The structure of Gong develops from detachable pieces to a whole one, which would require more materials and proven skills.

The structure for connection changes,which increase the stability.

From Song to Qing, 3 changes are prominent. Firstly, the structure of Dou Gong is simplified, many components are altered or removed. Then, each components become larger, especially the components like Dou in the center. Moreover, the designer pay more attention to the ornamental value of Dou Gong. Many components develop decorative portions. These changes indicate that after years of development, the carpenters became more skillful and there are more materials available for construction. Thus, instead of constructing in a more structural design like Song’s, Qing’s Dou Gong design Dou Gong in a more