Intelligent Systems Analyzing Sections of the Great Wall of China for Ming and Pre-Ming Dynasty

162 Pages·2012·6.7 MB·English

Intelligent Systems Analyzing Sections of the Great Wall of China for Ming
and Pre-Ming Dynasty Construction

THESIS

Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master
of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University

By
Jin Rong Yang
Graduate Program in Civil Engineering

The Ohio State University
2012

Master's Examination Committee:
Dr. Fabian Tan, Advisor
Dr. Frank Croft
Dr. Shive Chaturvedi
Copyright by
Jin Rong Yang
2012
Abstract

As society moves into the future, environmental concerns such as
global warming increase due to human activity (U.S. EPA 2009:2). In
construction, the use of cement in concrete contributes to this problem.
Scientists and Engineers believe building green, yet durable, is the key to
solving this problem. To achieve this goal, researchers must move
backward in time to examine how our predecessors built their structures
without modern technology, and then they can incorporate the
techniques that were used to reduce waste.
One of the most qualified structures to examine is the Great Wall of
China. The technology they used was not only environmentally friendly,
but the structure is also very durable. Some parts of the structure that were
built over two thousand years ago still exist today.
The research is focused on Ming and Pre Ming dynasty. The
research centers on the similarities and differences between the two time
periods in construction techniques. Since the Great Wall is very long in
length, this research and the research methods mentioned below are
limited to Beijing, Hebei and Gansu province.
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The author found out that the main construction method that was
used was rammed earth. The rammed earth method is a technique of
building walls by compressing the raw materials such as earth, gravel and
lime into the shape of a wall. The construction materials that they used to
construct the Great Wall were mainly fire kiln bricks and mud bricks. Fire
kiln bricks are made through chemical change when the clay is fired up in
the kilns until it is vitrified. Mud bricks, on the other hand, are made
through a physical change by letting the bricks dry out in the sun. The
main transportation of the material to construct the Great Wall was using
a class 2 lever wheelbarrow, though the workers used animals as well.
Since the Great Wall was built a long time ago, many historical
records and documents were lost or destroyed. The methods listed above
are not binary, meaning they are not completely true or false. The author
would have to incorporate fuzzy logic to measure the statements, such as
how “true” they are, using subjective values. The author also uses Artificial
Intelligence and Multi-Media system in his research to assist the end user in
the absence of a Great Wall expert. The research results are shown in the
Multi-Media system.
The research shows that the Great Wall from the Ming dynasty is far
superior to the dynasties before it in terms of construction techniques.
However; Pre-Ming Dynasty does incorporate more green construction
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techniques than the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the author concludes that
the structure is durable when it is from the Ming dynasty. The structure is
greener when it is from the Pre-Ming dynasty. However, both Ming and
Pre-Ming Dynasty’s construction methods are greener than modern
practices. With these conclusions, the author recommends using both
construction methods from the Ming and the Pre-Ming dynasties to build
green yet durable structures for the future.

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Dedication

This document is dedicated to my Mother Whon Jing, my Father Gwon
Fang and my friends.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dr. Fabian Tan for mentoring and supporting
me throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies. I would also like
to thank him for helping and guiding me in the right direction for my thesis.
Furthermore, I would like to thank the committee members Dr. Frank Croft
and Dr. Shive Chaturvedi for their suggestions on my thesis as well. Lastly, I
would like to thank Katharine Hibbard, Jamie Crowsley and Bart Ridgill for
proofreading my thesis.
Next, I would like to thank my friends who gave me positive
encouragement and support throughout my college career. I would like
to thank Bart, Jinhang and others who took CE 881 and CE 888 with me.
They were there for mental support when we took those classes together
and they still give me positive advice and support now that the classes
have ended. I would like to thank my closest friends Jimme, Matt and
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others (you know who you are) for their continuing support outside the
academia.
Finally, I would like give the deepest thank you to my Mom, Whon
Jing, and my Dad, Gwon Fang, for their love and support throughout my
life. They kept me going by encouraging me to go farther with school and
in life even though I feel like quitting during the hard times. Without them, I
would not be here. Mom, this is for you and you will forever be in my heart.

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Vita

June 2006 ................................................Eastmoor Academy High School
March 2011 .............................................B.S. in Civil Engineering, Ohio State
University
2012 to present ......................................Graduate Teaching Associate,
Engineering Education Innovation
Center, The Ohio State University

Fields of Study

Major Field: Civil Engineering
Specialization: Construction

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Table of Contents

Abstract ................................................................................................................... iii
Dedication ............................................................................................................. vi
Acknowledgments ...............................................................................................vii
Vita ...........................................................................................................................ix
Fields of Study .........................................................................................................ix
Table of Contents .................................................................................................. x
List of Tables .......................................................................................................... xv
List of Figures ........................................................................................................ xvi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 2
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Goal, Objectives and Tasks ........................................................................ 3
1.3 Scope of Study.............................................................................................. 6
1.4 Limitations ...................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE SEARCH ........................................................................... 8
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