Japanese Architecture Unusual Mechanisms Structure Five-storied Pagodas Resist Earthquakes by Quaking Reference: UEDA Atsushi, Ed., Why Five-storied Pagodas do not fall down, Shinchosha. Daigoji Temple,Kyoto There are plenty of wooden "highrises" in the Kansai area. They are three-or five-storied pagodas. In the distant past there were even seven-and nine-storied pagodas. Strangely, though, almost no records exist reporting the collapse of these ancient highrises by earthquakes. Even when the disastrous Hanshin-Awaji earthquake struck in 1995, no wooden pagodas in Hyogo tumbled over. Why are these pagodas so resistant to earthquakes? One reason is the architectural use of a "pileup" structure. When building a five-storied pagoda, the framework or eaves are assembled for each layer, and each such assembly is raised and "piled up" one above the another like stacked pencil caps. Each member is connected to the next by a special fabrication method that remains flexible; the members are not firmly connected, so each layer alternately vibrates during an earthquake, a stark contrast to the way in which rigid monocoque concrete buildings resist earthquakes. The column that stands at the center of the tower is said to serve as a gate bar that dampens earthquake vibration. In addition, columns used in each layer are thicker than necessary for their length, and the pagoda's framework is tightly assembled to prevent deformation. These features combine to protect pagodas against earthquakes. The basic principle of the flexible structure demonstrated by five-storied pagodas in Japan is to let the building shake, thus dissipating the seismic force. This principle is now widely used in modern highrises throughout the world, thus the wisdom of traditional wooden architecture has become an essential part of today's state of the art building technology. All images Copyright. 1997 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.