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Influence of compression-to-grain configuration, geometric proportion, and growth ring pattern on the vertical load-bearing capacity of Dou components in ancient Chinese timber buildings
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DOI：10.1016/j.culher.2026.03.009.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Ancient Chinese timber building features complex Dougong systems, with the Dou component playing a key role in vertical load transmission. However, its compressive performance remains understudied, particularly in relation to timber structure characteristics and geometric proportions. This study fills the gap through full-scale testing of 116 Dou specimens, based on field surveys of four ancient buildings (782 - CE 907) in Shanxi Province, China. Three key factors were examined, namely compression-to-grain configuration (parallel vs perpendicular), geometric proportions (ratios a/A, b/B, h/H), and growth ring pattern (up vs down). Specimens were tested under both linear-shaped and cruciform-shaped compression. Mechanical parameters which are most relevant to structural safety, such as proportional limit load (F-p) and stiffness (k) were analyzed within the elastic stage. Results showed that all specimens followed a three-stage mechanical progression: elastic, elasto-plastic, and plastic. Compression-to-grain configuration had no consistent effect on F-p or k, indicating that under current experimental conditions, it cannot independently predict load-bearing performance. In contrast, geometric proportion-especially the cross-sectional ratio a/A-had a strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation with both F-p and k (R & sup2; > 0.8, P < 0.05). The growth ring pattern also proved critical for F-p: up pattern consistently enhanced vertical capacity across both compression configurations, while effects on k were weaker. These results demonstrate that the vertical compressive performance of Dou is jointly controlled by density, geometry, and growth ring panttern, rather than compression-to-grain configuration alone. The findings provide actionable guidance for the restoration of Dougong systems-prioritizing optimization of a/A and selecting timbers with up pattern growth rings to improve capacity and durability. (c) 2026 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Keywords:
Traditional timber building
Dou component
Growth ring pattern
Compression-to-grain configuration
Geometric proportion
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