Dougong

Dougong is a unique structural element of interlocking wooden , one of the most important elements in traditional , , and Korean architecture.

The use of dougong first appeared in buildings of the late centuries BC and evolved into a structural network that joined pillars and columns to the frame of the roof. ''Dougong'' was widely used in the Ancient Chinese during the Spring and Autumn Period and developed into a complex set of interlocking parts by its peak in the and periods. The pieces are fit together by alone without or fasteners, due to the precision and quality of the carpentry.

After the Song Dynasty, brackets and bracket sets became more ornamental than structural when used in palatial structures and important religious buildings, no longer the traditional ''dougong''.

Function

Dougong is part of the network of wooden supports essential to the timber frame structure of traditional Chinese building because the walls in these structures are not load-bearing , sometimes made of latticework, mud or other delicate material. Walls functioned to delineate spaces in the structure rather than to support weight.


Multiple interlocking bracket sets are formed by placing a large wooden block on a column to provide a solid base for the bow-shaped brackets that support the beam or another gong above it. The function of ''dougong'' is to provide increased support for the weight of the horizontal beams that span the vertical columns or pillars by transferring the weight on horizontal beams over a larger area to the vertical columns . This process can be repeated many times, and rise many stories. Adding multiple sets of interlocking brackets or ''dougong'' reduces the amount of strain on the horizontal beams when transferring their weight to a column. Multiple dougong also allows structures to be elastic and to withstand damage from earthquakes.

During the Ming Dynasty an innovation occurred through the invention of new wooden components that aided ''dougong'' in supporting the roof. This allowed ''dougong'' to add a decorative element to buildings in the traditional Chinese integration of artistry and function, and bracket sets became smaller and more numerous. Brackets could be hung under eaves, giving the appearance of graceful baskets of flowers while also supporting the roof.


The Bao'en Temple in Sichuan is a good example of the Ming style. It has forty-eight types and 2,200 sets of ''dougong'' to support and ornament it. It is a well-preserved fifteenth century monastery complex located in northwestern , China. It was built by Wang Xi, a local chieftain, between 1440 and 1446 during 's reign in the Ming Dynasty .