In the centre of the famous Chinese painting, Qingrning Shanghe Tu, an arch-shaped timber bridge, Hongqiao, stands like a rainbow over the river Bianhe. Unfortunately, Hongqiao was damaged during floods from the Yello...In the centre of the famous Chinese painting, Qingrning Shanghe Tu, an arch-shaped timber bridge, Hongqiao, stands like a rainbow over the river Bianhe. Unfortunately, Hongqiao was damaged during floods from the Yellow River, and we can only see her beautiful form in Qingming Shanghe Tu. While, the geometrical dimensions, structural principle, as well as the construction methods of the bridge are still an interesting mystery. In the present paper, the author uncovers the structural principle and the geometric dimensions of the bridge as well as its history background. Furthermore, the author introduces two new structural systems, Lap-Beam and 1.5-Layer space frame, which are inspired by the structural principle of the Hongqiao.展开更多
In 1913,a so-called Moon Bridge was built in the Japanese garden of the Huntington Library in San Marino,California,USA as a fruit of the Japonism in the Western world at that time.The master carpenter was Toichiro Ka...In 1913,a so-called Moon Bridge was built in the Japanese garden of the Huntington Library in San Marino,California,USA as a fruit of the Japonism in the Western world at that time.The master carpenter was Toichiro Kawai,a Japanese immigrant from Yokohama who was originally a ship carpenter.The bridge is made of wood and shaped in the exaggerated arch form,which classifies the bridge as a"drum bridge"(Taiko-bashi)in Japanese culture.However,the unique structural form of this bridge,the"woven arch",is rare in building history.This paper aims to explore why and how such a bridge appeared in such a place and time.For this purpose,we go from the historical background to its construction history,from the concept of the designer to the detailed design methods.Data come partly from the author’s first-hand investigation and the limited local archive.The most interesting discoveries were made during the detailed on-site investigation,including the fact that the bridge is designed to express the metaphor of"perfection"(full moon)through its geometrical features,and the design is based according to traditional Japanese methods.展开更多
文摘In the centre of the famous Chinese painting, Qingrning Shanghe Tu, an arch-shaped timber bridge, Hongqiao, stands like a rainbow over the river Bianhe. Unfortunately, Hongqiao was damaged during floods from the Yellow River, and we can only see her beautiful form in Qingming Shanghe Tu. While, the geometrical dimensions, structural principle, as well as the construction methods of the bridge are still an interesting mystery. In the present paper, the author uncovers the structural principle and the geometric dimensions of the bridge as well as its history background. Furthermore, the author introduces two new structural systems, Lap-Beam and 1.5-Layer space frame, which are inspired by the structural principle of the Hongqiao.
文摘In 1913,a so-called Moon Bridge was built in the Japanese garden of the Huntington Library in San Marino,California,USA as a fruit of the Japonism in the Western world at that time.The master carpenter was Toichiro Kawai,a Japanese immigrant from Yokohama who was originally a ship carpenter.The bridge is made of wood and shaped in the exaggerated arch form,which classifies the bridge as a"drum bridge"(Taiko-bashi)in Japanese culture.However,the unique structural form of this bridge,the"woven arch",is rare in building history.This paper aims to explore why and how such a bridge appeared in such a place and time.For this purpose,we go from the historical background to its construction history,from the concept of the designer to the detailed design methods.Data come partly from the author’s first-hand investigation and the limited local archive.The most interesting discoveries were made during the detailed on-site investigation,including the fact that the bridge is designed to express the metaphor of"perfection"(full moon)through its geometrical features,and the design is based according to traditional Japanese methods.
