Buckling Strength of Wooden Column with Entasis at the Muryangsugeon in Buseoksa-Temple

Abstract

In this paper we present the result of investigations pertaining to the buckling strength of Zelkova Serrata (Elm-like) tree column with entasis at the Muryangsujeon in Buseoksa-Temple, Korea. Wooden columns with entasis had been used in the construction of ancient architectural buildings in Korea. It was not known why did they design columns with entasis of the buildings. It is just presumed that the reason may be the compensation of optical illusion, aesthetics, and/or structural safety. The question is not answered even today and it may not be possible to answer clearly and easily. In the paper, the buckling analyses are conducted on both of the wooden column with entasis and the prismatic wooden column by the successive approximations technique and the finite element methods, respectively. The results of analyses are compared and discussed.