Intricate wooden brackets allowed ancient Chinese palaces to survive earthquakes by swaying without collapsing
Traditional Chinese buildings utilize a complex system of interlocking wooden brackets called dougong, which allow roofs to sway safely during earthquakes without the use of nails or glue.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, completed in 1420, relies on a 2,000-year-old structural system known as dougong. These brackets consist of dozens of interlocking wooden parts that transfer the massive weight of the roof radially through the columns. During an earthquake, the joints act as shock absorbers, sliding and rotating to dissipate energy rather than snapping under tension.
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