Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Objects Facet
3. Components (hierarchy name)
4. components (objects parts)
5. [components by specific context]
6. architectural elements
7. [structural elements and components for structural elements]
8. structural elements
9. [spanning and projecting structural elements]
10. beams (structural elements)
11. [beams by location or context]
12. crossbeams

Narrower term/s

• dīngfú

Anotations

Scope note:

One of the main categories of structural elements in Chinese traditional architecture; interchangeable with liang 梁. The essential features of a cross-beam are described in Yingzao fashi (1103) and Gongcheng zuofa (1734) as such: (1) the cross-beam is placed above the pillars; (2) at least one end is supported by a pillar directly or by a bracket (gong) on top of a pillar; (3) the other end can either be inserted into the body of a pillar or placed above another beam. Within extant historic buildings it is also possible to find cross-beams in which both ends are placed above another beam. With the exception of the T-beam 丁栿, a cross beam is usually located perpendicular to purlins. In Yingzao fashi, beams are usually described with the character “fu 栿,” and a beam between pillars is named after the number of rafters it spans, such as a 6-rafter-beam, or 8-rafter-beam; however, there are exceptions, including the pinpricking connector (zhaqian 剳牽), infant beam (rufu 乳栿), eaves cross beam (yanfu 檐栿), level cross beam (pingliang 平梁), and T-beam. Modern architectural historians use this term to describe architecture dating from the Tang (618-907) to early Ming (1368-1644). In Qing dynasty texts such as the Gongcheng zuofa, a cross beam is usually named after the number of purlins it spans, such a 5-purlin-beam or 7-purlin-beam.