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

Anotations

Scope note:

Pingliang refers to cross beams that span two rafters and are located on the highest layer of the roof frame. This term is used in the Yingzao fashi (1103), where it is also called pingfu 平栿. In extant architecture, shuzhu 蜀柱 and chashou 叉手 are joined into the top of the pingliang (Liang 1983, 142; Chen 2010, 114). In official Qing dynasty architectural terminology, the beam in the location of the pingliang is called sanjialiang 三架梁, meaning a beam that spans three purlins (and two rafters), or taipingliang 太平梁.