International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XL-5/W2, 2013 
XXIV International CIPA Symposium, 2 — 6 September 2013, Strasbourg, France 
3D DIGITAL MODEL DATABASE APPLIED TO CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH 
OF WOODEN CONSTRUCTION IN CHINA 
Yu ZHENG 
Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre (CHCC), Beijing Tsinghua TongHeng Urban Planning & Design Institute, Beijing, China - 
blizza@chcc.org.cn 
KEY WORDS: Wooden Construction, Recording, Information Inventory, 3D Digital Model Database 
ABSTRACT: 
Protected by the Tai-Hang Mountains, Shanxi Province, located in north central China, is a highly prosperous, densely populated 
valley and considered to be one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Its continuous habitation and rich culture have given rise to a 
large number of temple complexes and pavilions. Among these structures, 153 can be dated as early as from the Tang dynasty (618- 
907C.E.) to the end of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368C.E.) in Southern Shanxi area. The buildings are the best-preserved examples of 
wooden Chinese architecture in existence, exemplifying historic building technology and displaying highly intricate architectural 
decoration and detailing. They have survived war, earthquakes, and, in the last hundred years, neglect. In 2005, a decade-long 
conservation project was initiated by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China (SACH) to conserve and document these 
important buildings. 
The conservation process requires stabilization, conservation of important features, and, where necessary, partial dismantlement in 
order to replace unsound structural elements. Project team of CHCC have developed a practical recording system that created a 
record of all building components prior to and during the conservation process. After that we are trying to establish a comprehensive 
database which include all of the 153 earlier buildings, through which we can easily entering, browse, indexing information of the 
wooden construction, even deep into component details. The Database can help us to carry out comparative studies of these wooden 
structures, and, provide important support for the continued conservation of these heritage buildings. 
For some of the most important wooden structure, we have established three-dimensional models. Connected the Database with 3D 
Digital Model based on ArcGIS, we have developed 3D Digital Model Database for these cherish buildings. The 3D Digital Model 
Database helps us set up an integrate information inventory for wooden structure with their similar types in China, and; makes it 
much easier to carry out survey of these structures at any stage for the purpose of structure monitor. Large amounts of data in the 
wooden structure can be intuitively expressed graphically to show its spatial distribution; and we can make comprehensive 
assessment of the component group by observe the spatial pattern, or evaluate the whole building damage through the database. The 
most interesting is that, with the development of mobile terminal equipment, the 3D Digital Model Database of Wooden Structure 
can be displayed in virtual exhibition easily via the internet by them. 
CONSERVATION OF THE EARLY WOODEN 
CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTHERN SHANXI, CHINA 
Chinese architecture made of wood has a limited life; buildings 
constructed before the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1367 A.D) are 
extremely rare, highly valuable and officially classified as 
‘Early Construction.” These ‘Early Construction’ buildings are 
important physical examples of Chinese history through 
architecture. Highly developed arts and crafts complement these 
buildings through skilful construction and elaborate 
architectural decoration and detailing, making them vivid 
examples of Chinese civilization development. 
The dry continental climate in Shanxi helped preserve these 
buildings for hundreds of years; however wars in recent history 
and poverty disrupted maintenance. Many of these buildings 
are suffering from structural failure, partially collapsed roofs 
and walls, sinking foundations, leaning columns and twisted 
beams. The furnishings, decorations and sculptures of the 
buildings have decayed with many pieces missing or damaged. 
  
Figure 1 Xi Shu Zhuang Pavilion date to Jin Dynasty (1115- 
1234A.D.) in Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province. Being 
renovated before 2005. 
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