A Comparative Study on the Construction Techniques of Covered Bridges in Northeast Fujian and the Dong Ethnic Group in Western Hunan

The covered bridges of Northeastern Fujian and the Dong ethnic group in Western Hunan, though both part of the covered bridge system, represent two distinct technical choices and wisdom in their core structural craftsmanship. This paper is a comparative study based on field investigations and literature analysis, aiming to provide an in-depth analysis of the fundamental differences in the timber-framed structures of the covered bridges in these two regions. The study indicates that the Dong ethnic covered bridges in Western Hunan primarily developed and refined the stacked wooden arch beam and cantilever truss simply-supported beam structures for bridge spans, which support the upper bridge pavilions with excellent integrity and stability. In contrast, the covered bridges of Northeastern Fujian are distinguished by the unique and highly efficient woven wooden arch structure, achieving breakthroughs in large-span construction. Through a comparative analysis of typical cases, this research demonstrates that different structural systems not only determine the morphological characteristics of the bridges but also highlights that comparing these two representative structural techniques can deepen the understanding of the complexity and richness of China’s traditional wooden bridge technology genealogy.