Earthquake-Proof Joinery

Within the last 600 years China’s Forbidden City has withstood two powerful earthquakes. What is the underlying structural logic and joinery that has made this possible?

To understand this ancient technology, engineers built a large scale model and then subjected it to simulated earthquake forces to show how the structure could flex and move in response without collapsing.

They found that the complex multi-component roof supports, seen on Chinese and Japanese temple structures for example, are not purely decorative but are designed to withstand environmental pressures.