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. iii 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 iv 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. v Dedication This document is dedicated to my Mother Whon Jing, my Father Gwon Fang and my friends. vi 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 vii 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. viii 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 ix 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 x