Based on the condition of static equilibrium and the equivalent law of shearing stress of an infinitesimal segment, this paper provides a strict derivation of the general formula for shearing stress in a nonuniform box girder with corrugated steel webs in the elastic stage. The derived formula is applied to investigate the stress distribution in concrete flanges and corrugated steel webs. Additional shear stress was found to be caused by the bending moment, and the axial force should be included in calculations from the effect of variable cross sections, which are quite different from that of the uniform cross sections. Moreover, because the additional shear stress of the bending moment is self-balanced, the shear force distribution can be adjusted between the concrete slabs and steel webs. Research shows that shear stress decreases markedly in the webs, whereas the shear stress apparently increases in the inclined bottom flange in the action of the bending moment. This study also found and explai...

Zijincheng, also known as the Forbidden City, is the largest and best-preserved ancient palace-type wooden building in China, built without using a single nail. Since it was built in 1420, it has served as a palace where the emperor lives and works. Almost 600 years old, it has gone through two dynasties (i.e., the Ming and Qing dynasties (AD 1368–AD 1912)) and 24 emperors. It has survived more than 200 devastating earthquakes throughout its history, and it is still standing strong. In this paper, the authors introduce the construction technology of the ancient Chinese wooden structure as well as the greatest secret of the well seismic performance of the Forbidden City. The study found that the secret to the Forbidden City’s ability to withstand many powerful earthquakes lies in the flexibility of its timber structure, which is mainly reflected in the application of the tenon-mortise joints, energy-dissipation capacity of Dougong brackets and shallow-buried columns. The seismic responses of a 1:5 reduced-scale model of Shoukang Palace of the Forbidden City under different earthquake magnitudes are studied through a series of shaking table tests.

As one of the world's longest spanning wooden arch bridge with glued laminated timber, the Xuhong Bridge, is located in Suzhou, China. The innovation of this bridge lies in its use of high-hardness wood and its skillful combination of a new truss arch structural system that utilizes glued laminated timber technology and modern joint construction. This innovation has achieved a beautiful configuration and efficient structural performance, allowing the span of the Xuhong Bridge to reach 90 m. The design using these new technologies has broken through the traditional design concepts and technical challenges observed in the construction of long-span wooden bridges. Furthermore, the bridge is low-carbon product and environmentally friendly, representing a new trend in the construction of long-span spatial structures.