Self-adaptive Modelling Method for Chinese Ancient Timber Architecture Based on Digital Structure Metamodel

Digital modelling of Chinese Ancient Timber Architecture (CATA) presents a favorable approach towards preserving ancient structures. However, the complex nature of CATA poses a significant challenge in generating digital models. The present research endeavors to identify the Greater Carpentry Structure (GCS) as the attribute framework of CATA. In doing so, a structured metamodel approach is employed to divide GCS into two categories of primitive entities, namely bays and components, and establish the topological metamodel that depicts the relationships between the two. The proposed self-adaptive modelling method utilizes bay carpentry as its focal point to perform horizontal and vertical incorporation of the components based on the developed topological metamodel. This approach facilitates the automatic generation of intricate models of CATA. The application of this methodology exhibits promising results for two typical GCS structures, displaying accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, and scalability in accomplishing self-adaptive reconstruction from one structure type to another.