Qing Structural Regulations

Qing Structural Regulations (清式营造则例) is a monograph on Qing dynasty architecture by the Chinese architect Liang Sicheng, first published in 1934.

Liang based his research of Qing dynasty architecture on the 1734 Qing dynasty Architecture Method (Qing Gongcheng Zuofa Zeli 清工程做法则例) of the Qianlong era. He also consulted several craftsmen's manuscripts which were handed down from generation to generation and sought guidance with the palace restoration craftsmen in Beijing. The Forbidden City was an intense object of study, with modern drawings and large number of architecture photographs taken by himself and by his wife. In the end, Liang succeeded in deciphering a large number of hard to understand jargon and made them understandable to students of architecture, and clarified the structural characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture.

Since its publication, for more than seven decades, it has become the must read textbook for anyone who wants to obtain an in-depth understanding the essence of ancient Chinese architecture. As Liang put it, this book and Yingzao Fashi are the "two grammar books of Chinese architecture".

Content

• Foreword
• Preface
• Chapter I Introduction (written by Liang's wife Lin Huiyin)
• Chapter II Plan: Square, circular, oblong
• Chapter III Major Woodwork
  • Dougong: column top set, corner set, intermediate set, Hua gong, traverse gong, ang, qiao, sheng, dou, lou-dou fulcrum.
  • Timber frame: column, base of column,lintel, sub lintel, rafter, purlin, tie, beam, liang, king post, central column, peripheral column, hypostyle column
• Chapter IV Masonry: stone platform, base, wall; curved roof: overhang gable roof, flush gable roof, gable and hip roof, pyramidal roof, ridge, hip.
• Chapter V Decoration: lattice window, door, ceiling decoration.
• Chapter VI Color paint: classification and order: dragon pattern, flower pattern, Suzhou style landscape pattern, story pattern.
• Appendices
• Glossary
• Measurements
• Drawings
• Yingzao Suanli (Architecture Material Estimate), distilled from craftsmen's handbooks.

Thirteen Chapters.