Chinese ancient architectures are valuable heritage of ancient culture of China. Many historicalbuildings have been preserved up to now. The researches on the structural mechanics of ancient architectures show thedifferent aspects of mechanics. Systematical studies have been carrivedout inXi'an Jiaotong University since 1982. It is related with the need of repair of some national preservation relics in Xi'an.These studies include: 1, Ancient wooden structures including three nationalpreservation relics: Arrow Tower atNorth City Gate, City Tower at East City Gate in Xi'an and Baogao Temple at Ningbao. 2, Ancient tall masonrybuilding, the Big Goose Pagoda and Small Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. 3, Mechanical characteristics of ancient soilunder foundation and city wall; the influence of caves in and under theancient city wall on the stability of the wall; 4,The typical Chinese ancient building at the center of the city: the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. These researches alsoconcern the behavior of ``Dougong'' and Joggle joint of woodenstructures, foundation of pagoda; differentialsettlements of Arrow Tower and the resistance to earthquake of these historical architecture heritages. Some otherstudies are also introduced. This paper gives a summary of these researches.Preservation and research are nowadays an essential requirement for the famous monuments, buildings, towersand others. Our society is more and more conscious of this necessity, which involves increasing activities ofrestoration, and then sometimes also of repair, mechanical strengthening and seismic retrofitting. Many historicalbuildings have in fact problems of structural strength and stability;the need for further studies on structural mechanicsand materials is definitely growing.
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