The difficulties in the reconstruction of Zhang Heng’s Seismoscope come mainly from the lack of understanding of its mechanical principles. Such a discrepancy affects the rational reconstruction of the external form ...The difficulties in the reconstruction of Zhang Heng’s Seismoscope come mainly from the lack of understanding of its mechanical principles. Such a discrepancy affects the rational reconstruction of the external form of the seismoscope and the fair assessment of its position in science. In connection with the two basic conjectures on its basic principles over the past hundred years: namely, the suspended pendulum and the upright rod, the authors have conducted a comprehensive study from the viewpoint of modern seismology. In this study, various aspects are involved, such as the properties of the seismoscope, its description in the “History of the Latter Han Dynasty", the structure and movement of the central pillar, historical earthquakes in the Longxi region, earthquake intensity in Luoyang, and modern seismograms from the Luoyang seismic station. The result shows that Zhang Heng’s seismoscope works following a suspended pendulum principle; it is triggered to move by seismic Rayleigh waves; and resonance plays the role of amplification. The long-prevailing conjecture of the upright rod, which was mistakenly called the “inverted pendulum" for a time, is believed to be improper. Both theory and practice show that it cannot be used in a seismoscope and will lead to an irrational reconstruction of the external form.展开更多
Historical data regarding Zhang Heng's seismoscope is not singular proof. Actually,the four earliest historical documents,i. e.,Continuation of Historiography of Han Dynasty, Historiography of the Later Han,Book o...Historical data regarding Zhang Heng's seismoscope is not singular proof. Actually,the four earliest historical documents,i. e.,Continuation of Historiography of Han Dynasty, Historiography of the Later Han,Book of the Later Han and Ding Record all have relevant records of its structure,size,principle,response to earthquake and actual applications. These five aspects are supported by archaeological research,unearthed cultural relics, historical earthquakes and modern seismological study. These historical materials contain a great deal of specific information about this ancient seismoscope. In conclusion, the authenticity and reliability of Zhang Heng's seismoscope are verified.展开更多
文摘The difficulties in the reconstruction of Zhang Heng’s Seismoscope come mainly from the lack of understanding of its mechanical principles. Such a discrepancy affects the rational reconstruction of the external form of the seismoscope and the fair assessment of its position in science. In connection with the two basic conjectures on its basic principles over the past hundred years: namely, the suspended pendulum and the upright rod, the authors have conducted a comprehensive study from the viewpoint of modern seismology. In this study, various aspects are involved, such as the properties of the seismoscope, its description in the “History of the Latter Han Dynasty", the structure and movement of the central pillar, historical earthquakes in the Longxi region, earthquake intensity in Luoyang, and modern seismograms from the Luoyang seismic station. The result shows that Zhang Heng’s seismoscope works following a suspended pendulum principle; it is triggered to move by seismic Rayleigh waves; and resonance plays the role of amplification. The long-prevailing conjecture of the upright rod, which was mistakenly called the “inverted pendulum" for a time, is believed to be improper. Both theory and practice show that it cannot be used in a seismoscope and will lead to an irrational reconstruction of the external form.
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(40644019)the Special Found of Scientific Research Program for "The Optimization and Design for Reconstruction Models of Seismoscope",China Earthquake Administration
文摘Historical data regarding Zhang Heng's seismoscope is not singular proof. Actually,the four earliest historical documents,i. e.,Continuation of Historiography of Han Dynasty, Historiography of the Later Han,Book of the Later Han and Ding Record all have relevant records of its structure,size,principle,response to earthquake and actual applications. These five aspects are supported by archaeological research,unearthed cultural relics, historical earthquakes and modern seismological study. These historical materials contain a great deal of specific information about this ancient seismoscope. In conclusion, the authenticity and reliability of Zhang Heng's seismoscope are verified.
