Mechanical properties of Dougong bracket in Chinese traditional timber structure under vertical loads: A systematic review

Dougong bracket is one of the remarkable features of Chinese traditional timber structures, and its mechanical properties affect structural safety. In this paper, the research status of the mechanical properties of Dougong brackets under the vertical load was analyzed by methods of analysis and summary, reasonable evaluations were made, and future research and development trends were prospected. The results show that the mechanical properties of Dougong brackets have been fully studied from the perspective of theory and experiment in recent decades and the structural characteristics of Dougong brackets under vertical loads have been deeply discussed by previous researchers. They explored the stress mechanism of Dougong brackets and established simplified mechanical models. However, there are still some deficiencies in existing research, such as the limited selection range of Dougong prototypes, and the lack of research on the cooperative action, damage mechanism, and reinforcement methods of Dougong brackets. With the development of science and technology and the improvement of the research level, the mechanical properties of Dougong will be fully revealed gradually, and the research results will be gradually reflected in the protection of Chinese traditional structures. •The paper introduced the function and evolution of Dougong brackets in Chinese traditional structures.•The research status of the mechanical properties of Dougong brackets under the vertical load was analyzed.•The mechanical properties of Dougong brackets have been fully developed, but there are also some deficiencies.•Recommendations can be considered in future works were proposed.