Research on Technique “Banzhu” Used in Traditional Dwellings in China from the Perspective of Formwork

Abstract

[EN] In China, “Banzhu” refers to the traditional construction technique using formworks and ramming for buildings. Based on a literature review and oral testimonies of builders, this paper describes the areas where Banzhu was the dominant building technique in ancient China. This paper provides a classified study of this technique from the perspective of formworks, according to the unit arrangement and fixed approaches, in order to show the characteristics and distribution of different variations. It is found that all kinds of formworks need to comply with the basic requirements of blocking the earth, controlling the wall section, and fixing themselves, and the reasons for variations are the requirements for wall quality, height, and labor availability.